Research shows that inflammation in the body, specifically chronic systemic inflammation, can contribute to all kinds of problems including heart disease, depression, and yes -- weight.

The scary part about inflammation is that it's sneaky, and you may be doing things that cause it and not even realize. Bad health habits like living a stressful life, smoking, not getting enough sleep, eating an imbalanced diet, and even obesity can all make inflammation worse.

As far as how and why inflammation makes losing weight so difficult could be any number of factors, one of which is that it's known to have a negative influence on the body's ability to respond to the hormone leptin. Click here for more detailed information, and for info on following an anti-inflammatory diet.

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17-year-old Arielle Newman died in April from what is now being described as an over-dose of anti-inflammatory muscle cream. As a cross country track runner for Notre Dame Academy on Staten Island, NY, her body absorbed high levels of the active ingredient commonly found in anti-inflammatory sports products such as Bengay and Icy Hot: methyl salicylate. Ms. Newman was reportedly using the cream frequently along with up to two other products containing the ingredient.

Methyl salicylate poisoning is extremely rare and doctors aren't sure if it was due to overuse or simply that her body absorbed an abnormal amount of the chemical. The makers of Bengay, Johnson & Johnson, have expressed their condolences to the family and are reminding consumers about "the importance of reading the label on this and all over-the-counter medicines to ensure safe and proper use."

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