#inflammation

Funny enough, I was cramping so bad last night. It was horrible but thank god I had Advil.

The Spicy Autistic Femme

I actually found a Harvard article about this. Here’s an excerpt:

Autistic people are more likely to suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) ailments than the general population. They are especially more difficult to identify and diagnose in adults with communication challenges. GI symptoms can range from mild stomachaches to serious, persistent vomiting. There is no single set of signs, symptoms, or treatments that applies to all autistic patients.

Another article said:

According to many researchers, the GI issues that come with ASD might be due to two factors: firstly, inappropriate immune activation Trusted Source, causing inflammation of the tract; and, secondly, differences in the types of gut bacteria Trusted Sourcethat are present.

Two key protein structures in the body are being visualized for the first time, thanks in part to the latest technology in the University of Cincinnati's Center for Advanced Structural Biology—potentially opening the door for better designed therapeutics. The research of a trio of UC structural biologists was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

[image ID: An Instagram post by @menopause.nutritionist. An image of a white woman's face in the bottom left corner, with part of a white cake with colorful sprinkles poking in from the top right corner. Text reads, "What if I told you that eating cake could be anti-inflammatory?"

ID end]

The post continues:

If social media has taught us anything, it's that inflammation is hiding in sugar, gluten, seed oils and dessert.

But here's what often gets left out of the conversation…

Imagine two scenarios:

A: You skip the birthday cake, and leave feeling like you missed out.

B: You eat the cake, laugh with friends, feel connected, and make a memory.

Which experience sounds more nourishing?

Humans aren't just digestive systems.

We're social beings.

And social connection is a health behaviour that's associated with less inflammation.

So it's not just about food.

We know that chronic stress (like the kind that comes from worrying about food) can affect inflammation too.

As can loneliness, feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, and being constantly "on."

On the flip side…

Connection matters. Joy matters. Pleasure matters. Rest matters. Feeling like you belong matters.

Which means the most anti-inflammatory choice isn't always the salad.

Sometimes it's going out with friends, sharing a meal, laughing until your cheeks hurt…and celebrating someone's birthday with cake.

Because feeling part of something matters.

Know this:

Health isn't crated by avoiding every potentially inflammatory food.

Health is crated by the patterns that help your body and nervous system thrive.

So if you've been stressing out over all the information about inflammation and food lately..consider this your friendly reminder.