Inflammation Unpacked: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Inflammation is the body’s natural defence mechanism, designed to protect you from harm. When you get a cut or catch a cold, your immune system triggers inflammation to heal or fight off infections. This is called acute inflammation - it’s short-term and beneficial.
However, when our cells are constantly under stress from factors such as a lack of sleep, poor nutrition, environmental pollutants and weather changes, inflammation can become chronic. Our nervous system interprets this stress as a threat, even when there is no physical threat present.
This process brings our body out of homeostasis (the body’s natural balanced state), which can impact every aspect of your health and wellbeing.
- Words by Sophie
The Hidden Signs of Chronic Inflammation
While signs of acute inflammation are easy to identify, for example a painful cut or a congested nose, the signs of chronic inflammation are much more vague. This makes them tricky to identify.
Chronic inflammation can manifest in various ways, but the most common signs are:
1. You have a poor quality of sleep
2. You’re exhausted all the time
3. You’re experiencing persistent muscle or joint pain with no specific cause
4. You feel more anxious or irritable
5. You’re unwell more often than usual
6. Your digestive system is acting up
7. You feel weak
8. You have random rashes or skin breakouts
9. You keep losing your balance or feeling dizzy
Why You Should Take These Signs Seriously
While we can all experience these symptoms occasionally, having to put up with them long-term should not be overlooked. Subtle symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues or sleep disturbances are often early indicators that your body is under strain from chronic inflammation.
Ignoring these signs could lead to long-term damage of the body’s organ system, increased risk of infection, prolonged cognitive and mood impact, and lasting gut health problems.
Addressing these signs early can help prevent the escalation of chronic conditions and supports overall well-being.
Tips to Manage Inflammation
If you are struggling with persistent symptoms, chat with your doctor and they will help you create a management plan or suggest a specialist. In addition to this, there are healthy habits you can implement into your lifestyle to help reduce inflammation in your system:
1. Eat a varied diet with a range of plants
- Plants contain anti-oxidants and compounds called polyphenols, which naturally lower inflammation in the body
- They are also high in fibre, which is key to feed your healthy gut bacteria
2. Limit ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
- While also low in fibre and nutritional benefits, UPFs are also packed with chemicals that can trigger an inflammatory response in the body
3. Stay active while prioritising sleep
- Regular exercise is key to lower inflammation in the body, however it is not worth compromising a good night’s sleep to wake up for your 5am gym class
- It’s much easier said than done, but prioritising sleep is one of the most important things to do for managing inflammation
4. Stay hydrated
- Proper hydration is key for maintaining the body’s proper metabolic functioning and the body’s ability to manage detoxification
- Even slight dehydration can cause the retention of toxins in the body and improper cellular functioning, which in turn can cause inflammatory responses
How Can YLW Help?
Our 4 groundbreaking products are scientifically-backed and proven to work, while offering a simple yet effective routine that aligns with your body's natural rhythms. The synergistic effect of the Day and Night Pills with the respective creams ensures your sleep, skin and gut health are optimally supported, making it easy to look after your wellbeing from the inside-out.
The Day Pill
Our powerful probiotic-based supplement is packed with B vitamins and antioxidants like Vitamin D3 and K2. The triple-strain probiotic blend nurtures a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in reducing systemic inflammation. With balanced gut health, your body is better equipped to fight inflammation, regulate energy, and keep your skin glowing.
The Night Pill
As you sleep, the Night Pill works to restore and repair. Its carefully selected ingredients, such as magnesium and bioactive compounds, support deeper sleep and encourage the body’s natural anti-inflammatory processes. Quality sleep reduces cortisol levels, a key player in inflammatory responses, leaving you rested and rejuvenated.
The Day Cream
Your skin is your first line of defence against environmental stressors. Our Day Cream has been formulated to strengthen the skin’s barrier, lock in hydration, and combat oxidative stress. Key ingredients like ceramides and antioxidants soothe inflammation and protect against external irritants, keeping your complexion calm and radiant throughout the day.
The Night Cream
At night, your skin undergoes a natural regeneration process. Our Night Cream has been designed with this in mind, amplifying this natural process with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and anti-inflammatory botanicals. This luxurious cream restores the skin’s moisture barrier, calms redness, and supports repair, so you wake up with plumper, healthier-looking skin.
