Waking up exhausted. Feeling bloated after meals. Struggling with stubborn weight gain, joint pain, or brain fog. If any of this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with chronic inflammation—a silent disruptor that’s keeping you tired, foggy, and unable to lose weight.
Inflammation is the root cause behind most modern health issues, including autoimmune disorders, digestive problems, heart disease, and even hormonal imbalances. The good news? Inflammation is reversible.
Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff, a naturopathic and acupuncture doctor who also specializes in traditional Chinese medicine, has helped countless patients reduce inflammation, regain energy, and restore their health naturally. Here’s how to identify hidden inflammation and what you can do to eliminate it for good.
What Is Inflammation and Why Is It Making You Sick?
Inflammation isn’t always bad. When you get injured or sick, inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism—it helps heal wounds and fight infections. This type of acute inflammation is temporary and necessary for survival.
The problem starts when inflammation becomes chronic—a constant, low-grade state of stress on the body. Instead of helping, chronic inflammation slowly damages tissues, weakens metabolism, and interferes with normal bodily functions.
Many people don’t even realize they have chronic inflammation because the symptoms develop gradually over time. But left unchecked, it can lead to conditions like arthritis, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and even cognitive decline.
How to Tell If You Have Chronic Inflammation
Most people assume they’d “feel” inflammation if they had it. But unlike an injury, chronic inflammation is often silent until symptoms start appearing.
Persistent fatigue is one of the biggest warning signs. When the body is constantly inflamed, energy production is diverted toward fighting internal stress, leaving you feeling drained—even after a full night’s sleep.
Joint stiffness and unexplained aches and pains can also be a clue. Many people think they’re just getting older, but lingering muscle soreness, headaches, and stiff joints often indicate systemic inflammation.
Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings are also common. Inflammation affects the brain just as much as the body, disrupting neurotransmitters responsible for focus, memory, and emotional stability.
Even digestion can suffer. Bloating, acid reflux, and unpredictable bowel movements are signs that inflammation is interfering with gut health, causing food sensitivities and poor nutrient absorption.
And if you’re struggling with stubborn weight gain, inflammation might be keeping your metabolism sluggish. When inflammatory markers are high, the body holds onto fat as a protective mechanism—making it nearly impossible to lose weight.
The Hidden Causes of Chronic Inflammation
Most people don’t realize that everyday habits fuel inflammation and keep them stuck in a cycle of fatigue, weight gain, and poor health.
Processed foods are one of the biggest culprits. Diets high in refined sugars, seed oils, and artificial additives spike inflammation, increasing insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Even seemingly “healthy” packaged foods often contain hidden inflammatory ingredients.
Chronic stress is another major trigger. When the body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode, it produces excess cortisol—a stress hormone that keeps inflammation levels elevated and disrupts immune function.
Lack of quality sleep also contributes. Sleep is when the body repairs itself and reduces inflammation. Poor sleep patterns lead to higher levels of inflammatory markers, making it harder for the body to heal and function optimally.
Environmental toxins—found in food, water, personal care products, and household cleaners—also play a role. These toxins overload the liver, making it harder for the body to detoxify and regulate inflammation.
How to Eliminate Inflammation and Restore Energy
The good news? Chronic inflammation isn’t permanent—it can be reversed with targeted lifestyle changes.
The first step is cleaning up your nutrition. Removing inflammatory foods like refined sugars, industrial seed oils, and processed grains gives the body a break from inflammatory triggers. Replacing them with anti-inflammatory foods like wild-caught fish, avocados, turmeric, and leafy greens helps repair damaged cells and lower inflammation naturally.
Balancing blood sugar is also key. Unstable blood sugar levels drive inflammation, leading to energy crashes and metabolic imbalances. Eating protein, fiber, and healthy fats at every meal helps keep blood sugar stable and inflammation low.
Reducing stress is just as important. Chronic inflammation is fueled by mental stress just as much as physical stress. Incorporating deep breathing, gentle movement, and mindfulness exercises helps regulate cortisol levels and signal to the body that it’s safe to heal.
Supporting gut health is another critical step. The gut houses 80% of the immune system, and when it’s inflamed, the whole body suffers. Restoring beneficial bacteria with probiotics, prebiotic-rich foods, and gut-healing nutrients like collagen and bone broth helps repair the gut lining and reduce systemic inflammation.
Sleep optimization is essential. Getting 7-9 hours of high-quality, uninterrupted sleep gives the body time to clear out inflammatory waste, repair damaged cells, and balance hormones.
For those exposed to environmental toxins, detoxification support is crucial. This includes drinking filtered water, eliminating plastic use, and switching to natural, non-toxic personal care products to reduce the body’s toxic burden.
What Happens When Inflammation Is Reduced?
When inflammation is lowered, the body quickly responds—often within days or weeks. Patients who follow Dr. Diana Joy’s protocol report:
- More energy and fewer afternoon crashes
- Reduced bloating and digestive discomfort
- Clearer thinking and improved focus
- Easier weight loss, even without extreme dieting
- Less joint pain and muscle stiffness
- Stronger immune function and fewer seasonal illnesses
The best part? Once inflammation is under control, the body continues to heal itself, making long-term health and vitality achievable. As Nikki shared, “Dr. Joy and her team made me feel welcome right away! Her treatments—including acupuncture and IVs—left me feeling amazing!” Her story reflects just how quickly inflammation can shift when the right support is in place.
Final Thoughts: Taking Back Your Health
If you’ve been feeling constantly tired, bloated, or stuck in a cycle of weight gain and brain fog, it’s time to address inflammation. Chronic inflammation isn’t something to ignore—it’s a sign that your body needs support.
Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff’s holistic approach focuses on removing inflammatory triggers and supporting the body’s natural healing abilities. By making the right changes, you can reclaim your energy, feel better, and prevent disease before it starts.
Your body was designed to thrive—start giving it what it truly needs.
