The Inflammation-Immune Association: Inhibiting Inflammation and Resuscitating The Immune System

By Dr. Kirsten West, ND, LAc, FABNO

As a naturopathic doctor, one who works almost exclusively with cancer patients, there is a common theme: Inflammation and immune dysregulation. In fact, inflammation, cancer and immune dysregulation go hand in hand. This is why a large part of my case analysis, with all of my patients, is to assess the state of physiological inflammation. This is approached via patient history, lifestyle, and specific laboratory markers. When taken together, this information provides a picture into the nature of terrain and most specifically, the level of inflammation and how the immune system is working. This perspective helps to guide our practice, case assessment, and best therapies in the management of inflammation. It is the way to move forward towards optimal health and most importantly, it is one of the ways of optimizing the terrain.

Understanding Inflammation’s Role in Healing and Disease

Inflammation is needed in the healing response. It is used to heal. We see this with a wound- the redness, swelling and pain harken its presence. However, inflammation (most notably chronic inflammation) can work against us and increase risk of disease. It does so by production of cytokines, some which are responsible for immune suppression, continued inflammation and cancer growth. 

The Dangers of Chronic Inflammation

If a wound never heals, that inflammation would create a continued aberrant immune response, and increased blood flow. The increased blood supply provides un-checked oxygen and nutrient delivery creating a fertile ground for unchecked cellular proliferation. . This is often why cancer could be considered a “wound that does not heal.”

About 25% of cancers are preceded by this inflammatory response. Gastritis may precede gastric cancer, bronchitis may precede lung cancer, colitis may precede colon cancer and the list goes on. This is why we must address inflammation as a cornerstone of all health assessment and treatment. 

Systemic Effects of Chronic Inflammation on the Immune System

In addition, the systemic immune system is highly taxed by a chronic inflammatory response, even if that response is limited to a certain organ. Once the process of acute inflammation begins, specific cytokines (cellular messengers) are released into the systemic circulation. Several of these cytokines may actually blunt a proper immune response while others further stimulate an inflammatory response in an effort to heal. It is a tightly regulated process. However, once that inflammation becomes chronic, what we once wanted to suppress becomes a risk. The most important immune properties, those which we need to recognize cancer/unchecked cellular proliferation, are turned off and those which promote continued inflammation, are turned on. It becomes a negative feedback loop. 

Addressing Inflammation Holistically

The case of inflammation speaks to the need to address the whole person, the whole system, when working to prevent disease and promote health. Labs must be checked and a proper history taken to determine presence of chronic imbalance. Checking inflammatory markers are a mainstay in our practice at Riordan and are part of almost every lab panel. The good news is that once we identify inflammation- we have tools to mitigate it. These tools include but are not limited to supplements, intravenous therapies, dietary intake and overall, lifestyle mitigation. The approach must be tailored because what works for one person, may not work for another. 

Curcumin: A Staple Anti-Inflammatory

One example of a staple anti-inflammatory is curcumin. For those who have been and are working with me, you know that this is one of my mainstays. It is a constituent found in Turmeric (a spice commonly found in Indian food). And in fact, curcumin is one of the best anti-inflammatory tools there is. One of its primary actions is the suppression of the cytokine, NF-κB. The simple addition of Turmeric to foods is a metabolic approach to cancer- one of MANY. 

Cultivating Balance for Optimal Health

In summary, our bodies have gifted us with the healing capacity. We want to cultivate its balance and in so doing create physiologic harmony. This is how we mitigate chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, prevent disease and wounds that do not heal.