Health: Inflammation: What You Can Do

The damaging effects of inflammation can be kept to a minimum with drugs, diet and even dental hygiene

DRUGS

--Aspirin. A well-known inflammation fighter, aspirin can cool reactions raging in heart arteries and in the colon. Similar agents are also showing promise in controlling inflammation in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

--Statins. Not only do statins lower cholesterol, but they also drive down levels of CRP and other inflammatory proteins.

--Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Doctors are investigating whether blood-pressure medications control hypertension in part by lowering levels of certain inflammatory factors that constrict the blood vessels.

EXERCISE

It should be no surprise that being active is good for you, but inflammation may finally explain why. Fat cells are...

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