Inflammation is your body 's way of protecting itself against injury or infection - causing swelling, redness, and heat. Short-term (acute) inflammation is vital for healing, but long-term (chronic) inflammation can lead to serious health issues. We look into the underlying causes of long-term inflammation and ways to prevent it. Anti-inflammatory foods may help prevent chronic diseases. Get a complete food list, find beginner tips for following this diet, and more. The Fastest Ways to Reduce Inflammation While reducing inflammation in your body can take some time, there are a few ways to get there faster. Here are nine things you can start doing today to lower your body 's inflammation level. Your diet, sleeping patterns or weight can lead to inflammation in your body . Check out the ways to reduce inflammation in your body .