Is Inflammation Becoming “Normal”? (And What You Can Do About It)

I was recently listening to Mark Hyman in an interview, and something he said really made me pause:

“Why has inflammation become a normal part of life?”

And when you really think about it… he’s right.

Somehow, we’ve started accepting things like:

• Feeling tired after eating

• Getting brain fog by mid-afternoon

• Feeling bloated after meals

• Aching joints for no obvious reason

• Regular skin breakouts

As if they’re just part of everyday life.

But they’re not.

They’re signals.

Your body is trying to tell you something isn’t quite right.

It’s Not “Normal” — It’s a Message

So often, these symptoms are brushed off or managed individually. But when you step back, they all point to one underlying issue:

Inflammation.

And in today’s world, one of the biggest contributors is the way we’ve been eating — particularly the rise in ultra-processed foods.

Convenient? Yes.But supportive of our health long-term? Not always.

The good news is that real, whole food can make a powerful difference.

Why This Matters Even More in Rheumatoid Arthritis

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation isn’t just a side effect — it’s the driver.

It’s what causes the immune system to attack the lining of the joints, leading to:

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Swelling

• Long-term joint damage

So, focusing on reducing inflammation isn’t just helpful… it’s essential.

What I Learned on My Journey

Over the years, I’ve read extensively, listened to experts like Dr Hyman, and even attended his talks. His approach really resonated with me and helped shape how I looked at my own condition.

But here’s something important I discovered along the way:

It’s not always as simple as cutting out ultra-processed foods.

That’s a great place to start — but for me, it wasn’t enough.

I also had to look at something deeper:Which foods were triggering inflammation in my body — even if they were considered “healthy”?

I experimented with different approaches — vegan, keto, and everything in between.

And eventually, I found what worked for me:

Eating in a way that’s compatible with my blood type.

That’s when things really started to shift.

A Simple Example of What This Looks Like

To make this more practical, here’s an example of how a day of eating might look (based on an anti-inflammatory, blood type–compatible approach):

Breakfast

• Warm water with lemon

• Scrambled eggs with spinach and onions (or tofu alternative depending on your type)

• A side of berries

• Herbal tea

Lunch

• Grilled turkey salad with leafy greens, avocado, cucumber, and olive oil dressing

• A small portion of brown rice or quinoa (depending on tolerance)

Snack

• A handful of walnuts or almonds

• Fresh fruit

Dinner

• Baked salmon with steamed broccoli and carrots

• Sweet potato or roasted vegetables

• Drizzle of olive oil

Evening

• Herbal tea (like chamomile or ginger)

The Key Isn’t Just “Healthy” — It’s “Right for You”

Here’s the important part:

Some of these foods might work beautifully for one person… and not for another.

For example, something like chicken — often seen as a “healthy staple” — didn’t work for me at all. It actually triggered inflammation in my body, even though it’s widely recommended in many diets.

That’s why this journey is so personal.

It’s not just about eating “healthy.”It’s about eating in a way that your body recognises as supportive.

It’s Not One Thing — It’s a Combination

I’ve been flare-free since 2009, and I don’t say that lightly.

But I also want to be clear — it wasn’t just one change that got me there.

It was a combination of:

• Eating in a way that reduces inflammation

• Managing stress (which plays a bigger role than we often realise)

• Strengthening my body to support my joints and resilience

Where to Start

If there’s one thing I’d encourage, it’s this:

Stay curious.

Be open to learning.Be willing to experiment (gently).And don’t assume that what works for everyone else will automatically work for you.

Because sometimes, the answers are there…We just have to be willing to look a little deeper.

Your body isn’t working against you — it’s communicating with you.