Your immune system protects you from germs and other foreign substances that could make you sick by making parts of your body become inflamed (or heat up and swell). However, sometimes the reaction can be overwhelming (or it goes too far). Sometimes inflammation can become chronic as a response to stress, junk food, or other lifestyle triggers.

This chronic inflammation is associated with many serious health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, arthritis, fatigue, and depression. To reduce your risk, you may need to change your diet and other daily practices.

Start with these ideas for following an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.