From the Desk of Carolyn Dean MD ND
What Is Chronic Inflammation?
After decades of researching and writing about health, I’ve come to see inflammation as the root driver of many modern diseases—autoimmune conditions, arthritis, nerve pain, heart issues, and even mental health disorders.
Inflammation is not inherently bad. It’s the body’s natural response to injury (a swollen ankle), irritants (a splinter), or infection (swollen glands with a sore throat). In the short term, it’s protective.
The problem arises when inflammation becomes chronic.
Instead of resolving, it lingers—quietly damaging cells, nerves, joints, and organs over time.
Chronic inflammation often shows up as persistent, generalized symptoms such as:
- Chronic fatigue and low energy
- Insomnia
- Joint and muscle pain or stiffness
- Digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, reflux)
- Unexplained weight changes
- Brain fog
- Depression and anxiety
- Frequent infections
- Gum disease
- Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
What do these seemingly unrelated symptoms have in common?
They are all indicators of magnesium deficiency.
Root Causes of Chronic Inflammation
Conventional sources often say chronic inflammation results from the immune system failing to eliminate a threat, leading to prolonged low-grade immune activation. Poor diet, stress, toxins, and obesity are commonly cited contributors.
But that explanation doesn’t go deep enough.
From my research, chronic inflammation is driven primarily by long-term nutrient imbalances combined with modern lifestyle stressors that deplete protective minerals while activating inflammatory pathways.
Here are the true root drivers:
Magnesium Deficiency and Inflammatory Pathways
I call magnesium the anti-inflammatory nutrient. When magnesium levels are low, the pathways that regulate immune response malfunction. The body struggles to produce sufficient nitric oxide, balance calcium, and properly modulate inflammatory signals.
Without magnesium, inflammation escalates
Yeast Overgrowth
An often-overlooked contributor, yeast (candida) produces toxins that drive systemic inflammation and contribute to autoimmune and thyroid-related conditions.
Excess Calcium
Calcium from supplements or dairy-heavy diets—when not balanced with magnesium—acts as a pro-inflammatory trigger. Calcium overload contributes to cellular rigidity and neuro-inflammation, while magnesium acts as the counterbalance.
Modern Processed Diet
Overeating of ultra-processed foods, omega-6-heavy seed oils, gluten, alcohol, coffee, allergens, and synthetic additives all promote inflammatory stress while mineral-rich whole foods have declined in the modern diet.
Sugar and Simple Carbohydrates
Excess sugar directly promotes inflammation, feeds yeast overgrowth, and depletes magnesium—creating a vicious inflammatory loop. Sugar also competes with vitamin C for transport on insulin, making sugar an enemy of vitamin C, which means if you eat a lot of sugar you need to be taking high doses of vitamin C 2,000, 5,000, even 10,000 mg.
Other Contributors
Chronic stress, infections, mold exposure, toxicity, and additional mineral imbalances all compound the inflammatory burden.
The Total Body Meltdown Explained
Over the years, I’ve used the term Total Body Meltdown to describe what happens when chronic inflammation, mineral depletion, yeast overgrowth, and hormonal disruption collide.
Patients are often told, “You just have to live with it.”
But these symptoms—fatigue, hormone shifts, gut dysfunction, brain fog—are not random. They often begin in the gut.
Inflammation is not confined to the joints. It frequently starts with digestive imbalance and mineral depletion, creating a cascade:
Sugar Feeds Yeast
Excess sugar fuels yeast overgrowth in the gut. Yeast metabolizes sugar into toxic byproducts like acetaldehyde and alcohol, irritating the gut lining and triggering chronic immune activation.
Yeast Impairs Mineral Absorption
As gut integrity declines, absorption of magnesium and trace minerals drops. Mineral depletion accelerates inflammatory stress.
Chronic Sugar Locks the Body in Stress Mode
Repeated blood sugar spikes trigger cortisol and insulin surges. Combined with yeast toxins and mineral and vitamin C loss, the body enters a systemic stress loop affecting the adrenals, thyroid, heart, brain, and immune system.
This is the cascade into Total Body Meltdown.
How Seed Oils Drive Chronic Inflammation
Industrial seed oils—also known as vegetable or polyunsaturated oils—are, in my view, a major contributor to chronic inflammation.
These include:
- Sunflower
- Safflower
- Soybean
- Corn
- Canola
- Grapeseed
They are predominantly omega-6 fats, which, in excess, displace anti-inflammatory omega-3s and drive pro-inflammatory pathways.
Even if you don’t cook with these oils at home, they dominate the food industry because they’re inexpensive and neutral in flavor. You’ll find them in:
- Packaged dressings, dips, and sauces
- Chips, crackers, and snack foods
- Fried fast food
- Frozen meals
- Bottled cooking oils in grocery aisles
- Restaurant meals
Research has linked high soybean oil intake to gut inflammation. Excess omega-6 intake, in general, is associated with systemic low-grade inflammation, joint stiffness, neuro-inflammation, and stress-related conditions.
In my view, seed oils belong in the same category as ultra-processed foods, artificial additives, and refined sugar—substances that overwork digestion, fuel yeast overgrowth, deplete magnesium, and amplify inflammation.
Anti-Inflammatory Fats to Use Instead
Switch to stable, traditional fats:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Grass-fed butter
- Avocado oil
- Tallow
Increase omega-3 intake from clean sources, such as algae-based supplements, to restore balance without the contamination concerns associated with some fish oils.
This single dietary shift can profoundly reduce inflammatory burden.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Support with Turmeric and Ginger
As you shift away from inflammatory foods, certain botanicals can provide support.
I recommend organic turmeric and ginger:
- They support healthy inflammatory responses
- Help soothe and protect the gut lining
- Promote digestive comfort
- Support bile flow and liver function
They are supportive—not substitutes for mineral restoration.
Resolve the Root: Magnesium
Inflammation itself is not the enemy. It’s a normal biological response.
The problem arises when the body lacks the mineral foundation to regulate it.
Magnesium supports a balanced inflammatory response. It promotes muscle relaxation, joint flexibility, nervous system calm, and cellular resilience.
The goal is not to suppress inflammation—it is to restore the body’s ability to respond appropriately.
The Anti-Inflammatory Reset Framework
Remove
- Seed oils
- Refined sugar
- Processed flour
- Alcohol (which feeds yeast)
Restore
- Magnesium
- Trace minerals
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D
Rebuild
- Whole foods
- Clean proteins
- Fermented foods (when tolerated)
- Daily turmeric and ginger
Inflammation is not random. It is the predictable outcome of mineral depletion and modern dietary stressors.
Start by evaluating your cooking oils. Prioritize mineral replenishment. Support your gut.
And join me on Dr. Dean Live as we continue exploring how to restore balance in a world that constantly pulls us toward depletion.
This content is for educational purposes only and discusses nutritional and lifestyle support for normal structure and function of the body. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.
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