One hundred years ago humankind was not aware of our immune system as we know of it today. Immunity was actually discovered by doing research with starfish.
This carefully integrated system works to identify self from non-self protecting us from foreign invaders which do not belong in our bodies and some which can cause infection.
Inflammation is actually a process which is created through the normal functioning of the immune system. We have two types of inflammation; chronic and acute. Acute inflammation is intense and painful and of short duration. It is experienced from sunburn, for instance or a pin prick or hitting your finger with a hammer.
Chronic inflammation is more low grade, less intense but for a long duration. This type of inflammation can take place in heart disease, acne rosacea, or joint pain being just a few examples. While acute inflammation is important to the healing process; chronic inflammation is not.
Low grade, chronic, subclinical inflammation over long periods of time is one of the major causes of disease and aging. It is actually the precursor of most disease states.
Stress, inhalation of environmental chemicals, too much alcohol and sugar, too much sun, chemicals in health and beauty care products are just a few of the causes of low grade, inflammation.
There are protocols that can be implemented which neutralize or slow down this inflammatory process while creating a healing environment.