Infections

Chronic Infections: Reducing Inflammation Through Nutrition

Patient Education
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Written on: December 11, 2024
Colorful vegetables and nutrition may help reduce inflammation and chronic infections.

Chronic infections are active or hidden infections that continually exist in the body and create a response from the immune system that may include inflammation. While inflammation can be one healing tool of the immune system, long-term inflammation can be harmful. Infections that result in chronic inflammation may contribute in part to multiple health issues, including:

  • Metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and diabetes.1,2
  • Certain cancers.3,4
  • Digestive and intestinal conditions such as stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.5-8
  • Brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.9-11

Enhancing the immune system’s function can be an important strategy for helping to reduce the chance and impact of infection and any resulting sustained inflammation. Lifestyle factors and habits have a large effect on the immune system and are important to consider when supporting overall immune health. 

Nutrition & Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Food and nutrition impact health and well-being. Diets that contain inflammatory foods such as processed foods and foods higher in sugar and sodium have been linked to higher rates of different chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome and obesity, as well as heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.12-15 But diets such as the Mediterranean diet that prioritize more anti-inflammatory and nutrient-dense foods such as plants, healthy fats, and whole grains help support optimal health and reduced inflammation in the body.16-18

Phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables are one example of anti-inflammatory and protective antioxidant compounds that support the immune system. In addition, a variety of herbs and spices such as black pepper, turmeric, and saffron provide not only bursts of flavor in meals but also provide concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and other anti-inflammatory compounds.19

Studies indicate that people who eat more plant foods have reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.20 And the phytonutrients from plant foods and spices come in all different colors; therefore, eating a rainbow of colors each day may be one way to easily increase anti-inflammatory food intake.

The Functional Medicine Approach

In functional medicine, healthcare practitioners consider potential underlying issues related to health concerns and conditions such as immune dysfunction, chronic infections, and inflammation. A personalized, whole-body approach to immune health in addition to lifestyle-based treatment strategies are foundational in the functional medicine model. Practitioners collaborate with patients to develop tailored therapies that are most beneficial to a patient’s health condition and their overall health goals. 

The functional medicine approach involves the whole patient, including their lifestyle choices and preferences to assess the body’s complex processes and to personalize treatment strategies while supporting them in their health journey.

Use the link below to find a functional medicine practitioner near you and learn more about chronic infections, chronic inflammation, and how lifestyle-based therapies that include nutritional strategies may be appropriate in a personalized health intervention.

Find a functional medicine practitioner near you!

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REFERENCES
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  2. Perakakis N, Harb H, Hale BG, et al. Mechanisms and clinical relevance of the bidirectional relationship of viral infections with metabolic diseases. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2023;11(9):675-693. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00154-7
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