In today's episode, Dr. Donna Mazzola joins us to discuss the important topic of inflammation and its relationship with our immune system.  Inflammation is a term we often hear, but understanding its true nature can be a bit tricky. It's actually a natural defense mechanism that our bodies use to protect us. When we get injured or infected, inflammation kicks in as a response to these triggers. However, problems arise when our bodies are constantly exposed to inflammatory triggers, leading to chronic inflammation and a higher risk of chronic diseases. We talk about the impact of our diet on inflammation. The standard American diet, which is often high in processed foods, sugar, trans fats, and omega-6 fatty acids, actually promotes inflammation. It's essential for us to reduce our consumption of these inflammatory foods and instead focus on whole foods with fewer ingredients. Filling our plates with fruits and vegetables is a great way to combat inflammation and support our overall health. But it's not just about what we avoid; it's also about what we incorporate into our diets. Certain foods have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help modulate our body's inflammatory response naturally. We'll dive into some of these foods, like turmeric, rosemary, ginger, green tea extract, and boswellia (also known as frankincense). Incorporating these ingredients into our meals can provide us with the benefits of anti-inflammatory compounds without the negative side effects associated with long-term steroid use. Making dietary changes can feel overwhelming, but remember, small steps can lead to significant improvements. Start by gradually incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods into your daily routine. You'll be amazed at how these changes can positively impact your health. And let's not forget the importance of educating our children about nutrition and instilling healthy habits from an early age. By teaching them about the power of anti-inflammatory foods, we set them up for a lifetime of wellness. So, join us as we explore the fascinating connection between food and immune-mediated inflammation. You're in for a friendly and informative discussion that will provide valuable insights to support your journey toward a healthier, inflammation-free life.   BIO Donna Mazzola, is a Pharmacist who has always had a fascination with natural healing and preventative care. After obtaining a Doctorate in Pharmacy, Donna realized that medicine has a place in healing, but it's the balance between nutrition and medicine that impacts disease. This fascination became an obsession after a personal diagnosis with Hashimotos in 2015. Her disease pushed her to embark on a journey to seek answers and identify the root cause related to the rise in autoimmune and other inflammatory chronic conditions. On this journey she obtained Master’s degree in Functional Medicine and Human Nutrition and gave birth to Dr.AutoimmuneGirl, her persona and passion to empower people with the knowledge to take control of their health. Donna is on a mission to educate the world on the healing powers of food and give meaning to the concept of food as medicine. She runs the blog drautoimmunuegirl.com to share reputable scientific information related to nutrition and health. Donna is the author of the “Immunity Food Fix”, a guide to a 100 Superfoods and Nutrition Hacks to Reverse Inflammation, Prevent Illness, and Boost Your Immunity! And the upcoming book the Immunity Food Fix Cookbook, putting Science in application. Pinterest: @drautoimmunegirl Website: drautoimmunegirl.com Instagram: Instagram.com/drautoimmunegirl Facebook: Facebook.com/drautoimmunegirl   Do you have a question you have wanted to ask to get clarification on an episode or something that you would like to learn about on a new episode?  I want to hear from you and feature your question on our show!  CLICK HERE or go to https://go.megmill.com/askmeanything to get your questi