Mumbai: Inflammation is a complex biological response of the body’s immune system to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It plays a crucial role in healing and protection, helping to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out necrotic cells, and initiate tissue repair.
Inflammation can be a short-term response that typically occurs immediately after an injury or infection. Symptoms include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Acute inflammation is essential for the body’s healing process.
However, chronic inflammation, a prolonged inflammatory response that can last for months or years may result from the body’s failure to eliminate the cause of acute inflammation, an autoimmune response, or exposure to a persistent irritant. Chronic inflammation is associated with various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
While inflammation is a necessary defence mechanism, excessive or uncontrolled inflammation can lead to tissue damage and contribute to chronic diseases. Management of inflammation often involves lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, as well as medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, depending on the underlying cause.
In a recent interview with Galatta India, acclaimed actress Vidya Balan revealed that inflammation was a significant barrier to her weight loss, despite her extensive workout routines.
Vidya Balan’s remarkable transformation has captured the attention of both fans and the media, highlighting her commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Renowned for her powerful performances and vibrant personality, she has made significant strides in her weight loss journey by prioritising dietary changes over traditional exercise routines. In her candid discussion, Vidya explained that she adopted an anti-inflammatory diet with guidance from a nutritional group, which has led to impressive results.
Vidya Balan’s weight loss journey
Vidya Balan’s weight loss journey involves significant dietary changes guided by a nutritional group, focusing on eliminating inflammation rather than traditional exercise.
Vidya Balan on inflammation
Vidya Balan has experienced significant weight loss this year, attributing it to dietary changes rather than exercise. She recently revealed her weight loss strategy, stating, “You know, all my life, I have struggled to be thin. I have dieted and exercised like crazy, and sometimes, I would lose weight, and it would come back and then, early this year, I met a nutritional group called Amura (Amura Health) in Chennai. They said that it is just inflammation; it is not fat.”
She further added, “So, they put me on a diet to get rid of the inflammation, elimination of inflammation it is called, and it worked beautifully for me and the weight went like that because they eliminated foods that were not suiting me. I have been a vegetarian all my life yet I didn’t know spinach and bottle gourd, didn’t suit me. We think all vegetables are good for us, but that is not the case. You have to figure out what’s good for you as just because it is good for someone else, it may not be good for you.”
Vidya Balan on work outs
Balan also revealed that she didn’t work out at all now, sharing, “They (Amura) asked me to stop working out. You know everyone has been telling me ‘Oh my God, you are your slimmest’ and I have not worked out all year. This is the first year that I have not worked out. And I want to say judgment around the body is brutal. A lot of times, people put on weight for various reasons because our bodies express what we are going through emotionally also, even I would not have believed last year if I had been told ‘Stop working out’. I used to be a beast in the gym. And I had people telling me, ‘You must not be working out at all’. And now, people tell me, ‘So what are you doing?’ and I am like, ‘No, I don’t do anything’. I am just enjoying myself and I am feeling healthier than ever. I am not saying you should not exercise but remember no two people are the same, we must respect our individuality.”
Vidya Balan’s weight loss journey underscores the significance of understanding one’s body and the impact of diet on overall well-being. By sharing her story, she encourages individuals to embrace their unique paths to health, reminding us that true wellness comes from within. With her newfound confidence and healthier lifestyle, Vidya is a shining example of how prioritising self-care can lead to transformative results.
