#217 Inflammation, The Silent Fire Within with Dr Shilpa Ravella MD
10th Oct 2023
Shilpa’s eloquent writing style complements the wonder of inflammation as a benevolent, yet destructive force that weaves it’s thread through a multitude of conditions including auto-immunity, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Hidden inflammation presents a unique dilemma. The idea that it may be a shared biological mechanism between diseases as distinct as obesity and aging, or depression and heart disease, fosters a new understanding of human health. It pushes us to consider preventing or treating these diseases in concert rather than in parts, taking into account the totality of a patient’s body and mind, including the germs that live within and on top of us. The biomedical framework of the nineteenth century divided by organ systems and an understanding that a specific cause results in a specific disease - is no longer effective for most health conditions that plague us today.
This is an excerpt from Dr Shilpa Ravella’s book “Silent Fire”, it’s one of the most beautifully written books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
Dr Shilpa Ravella is a gastroenterologist who treats a range of general gastrointestinal ailments and has unique experience in managing complex rare diseases, including intestinal failure and intestinal or multiple-organ transplantation. She’s also an expert in the field of nutrition and is particularly interested in the interactions between lifestyle, the microbiome and the immune system.
Today we talk about inflammation and cancer, immunity, dementia, cardiovascular disease as well as the components of an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle such as spices, fibres, greens and exercise. We also talk about what inflammation actually is; the various terms like para inflammation, meta-inflammation, inflammageing and why it’s so important to control it.
Remember I also have an inflammation mini-series that you can sign up to for free right here.
Episode guests
Shilpa Ravella is a transplant gastroenterologist with expertise in nutrition and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center.
Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, New York Magazine, Slate, Discover, and USA Today, among other publications, and she has appeared as an expert on ABC's Good Morning America and in print media outlets including Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Food and Wine, Glamour, and Women's Health.
Her TED-Ed lesson, 'How the Food You Eat Affects Your Gut,' has garnered over five million views.
- Access over 800 research backed recipes
- Personalise food for your unique health needs
Relevant recipes
-
New!Chicken 4.0
Chicken Shawarma Bowls
-
New!Family Meals 5.0
Thai Green Chicken Curry Pie
-
New!Fridge Fillers
Gochugaru, Tuna, Edamame, Cucumber & Soba Noodle Salad
-
Free!Soups 5.0
Spanish Style Lentil, Potato, and Tempeh Stew
-
New!Chicken 5.0
Italian-style Chicken, Mushroom and Kale Stew
-
Free!Fish and Seafood 4.9
Salmon Poached in Harissa Coconut Lentils
-
New!Family Meals
Beef and Lentil Cottage Pie
-
New!Soups
Minestrone-style Soup
-
Tofu and Tempeh 5.0
One Pan Black Bean, Tofu, and Rainbow Rice Bake
-
Soups 4.7
Butternut Squash, Red Lentil, Chickpea and Tofu Stew
Related podcasts
-
Food Benefits
#265 The plant that reduces skin inflammation, fights disease and is even a great protein source with Dr Kyle Stewart
-
Gut health
#263 How to heal your gut, support your microbes and what gut supplements to steer clear of with Colorectal Surgeon Dr James Kinross
-
Brain health
#256 The link between inflammation mood, dementia and how to calm your mind with food, with Dr Uma Naidoo
-
Inflammation
Habits to Relieve Hayfever, Seasonal Allergies and why we need to avoid taking antihistamines regularly with Dr Rupy Aujla
-
Inflammation
#244 How Immunity is influenced by the Mind with Dr Monty Lyman
-
Inflammation
#243 Spices to Reduce Inflammation with Dr Rupy Aujla
-
Food Benefits
#241 Ginger. The science and health benefits of this wonderful spice with Dr Rupy Aujla
-
Food Benefits
#236 Cloves. Nature's Natural Medicine? With Dr Rupy Aujla
-
Food Benefits
#218 Do cranberries help with UTIs? With Dr Rupy