Inflammation (Latin, "inflammatio", to set on fire) is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli (i.e- pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants). It is a normal process and a cornerstone of the body's healing mechanism.

Acute inflammation includes the symptoms of swelling, redness, heat (or fever) and pain, which are important to restore health. In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal and progressive destruction of the tissue would compromise survival.

Chronic information, however, is inflammation which runs unchecked and is the underlying cause of many of the diseases of Westernization including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and Alzheimer's.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients & Substances include: omega-3 fats, antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamin C, lycopene, vitamin D, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, glutathione, fiber, flavonoids (and many more)

Pro-Inflammatory Nutrients & Substances include: trans fats, sugar, high-glycemic carbohydrates, omega-6 fats, pesticides, artificial sweeteners, additives and preservatives, heterocyclic amines (and many more)