Food influences inflammation through five major physiological systems. When you know these systems, you stop blaming yourselves and start understanding your chemistry. Glossary is below 1. Blood Sugar - Inflammation Axis When a meal causes a rapid glucose rise, the body releases insulin to pull it down. If the spike is steep, the crash is steep, and both ends of that rollercoaster create inflammatory signals. - High glucose = advanced glycation end products (AGEs) = oxidative stress - High insulin = NF‑κB activation = pro‑inflammatory cytokines - The crash = cortisol release = more inflammatory signaling This is why people feel puffy, foggy, irritable, or exhausted after certain meals. Food patterns that drive this: sugar bombs, low‑protein meals, refined carbs eaten alone. Food patterns that cool it: protein first, fiber first, balanced plates. 2. Gut Barrier–Immune Axis Your gut lining is one cell thick. When irritants disrupt it, the immune system gets louder. - Emulsifiers, alcohol, additives = tight junction disruption - This increases intestinal permeability - Which exposes the immune system to food particles and bacterial fragments - Leading to TNF‑α, IL‑6, and IL‑1β release This is the “I ate something, and now I’m inflamed for 48 hours” phenomenon. Food patterns that drive this: alcohol, ultra‑processed foods, emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners. Food patterns that cool it: polyphenols, omega‑3s, fermented foods, glutamine‑rich foods. 3. Fatty Acid - Cell Membrane Axis Every cell membrane is built from the fats you eat. The ratio of omega‑6 to omega‑3 determines how “loud” inflammatory signaling becomes. - High omega‑6 oils = arachidonic acid pathway = pro‑inflammatory eicosanoids - Omega‑3s = resolvins and protectins = anti‑inflammatory signaling This is chemistry, not morality. Food patterns that drive this: seed oils, fried foods, processed snacks. Food patterns that cool it: salmon, sardines, chia, flax, walnuts, olive oil.

President Trump nominated Casey for the position of U.S. Surgeon General. This is her confirmation hearing in front of Congress.