Chronic Inflammation? These Supplements Can Help.
Inflammation is a good news / bad news thing.
On the plus side, inflammation is part of your body’s healing process. When you suffer an injury, or your body is invaded by a virus or other pathogen, your immune system increases blood flow to the affected area(s) to promote healing. This inflammatory process can cause redness, warmth, and swelling.
Short-term inflammation is necessary for healing. It indicates that your immune system is doing its job.
However, long-term (i.e. chronic) inflammation isn’t good for your health.
When you have chronic inflammation, your immune system stays in high gear, even when there’s no actual threat. A chronic inflammatory response can happen due to long-term exposure to toxins. It can happen because your immune system continues responding to an injury or illness even though that condition has already healed or resolved. It can happen because hormones are out of balance. And some diseases (like COVID and various auto-immune conditions) can unleash an excessive immune response.
Chronic inflammation can also result from poor lifestyle choices such as:
- Poor diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Lack of exercise
- Long-term stress
The symptoms of chronic inflammation can include fatigue, recurring fever, joint pain, abdominal or chest pain, and skin rashes (to name just a few).
Lifestyle changes can help your body to combat chronic inflammation. However, there are also several supplements that have been found to be effective anti-inflammatory agents. These include:
Curcumin
Curcumin is found in the Indian spice turmeric. It has been linked to reduced inflammation in several illnesses including diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, and cancer. Curcumin also appears to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Absorption of curcumin can be improved by taking it with black pepper or pepperine.
Fish Oil
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been associated with reduced inflammation in many conditions. Specifically, DHA and EPA (the primary omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil) have been shown to reduce inflammation levels compared to placebo.
Garlic
Garlic contains a host of proven anti-inflammatory compounds. It’s especially high in a potent inflammation fighter and immune system booster known as allicin. Many researchers believe long-term use of garlic supplements can protect against chronic inflammatory diseases.
Ginger
Ginger root has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. Modern medical studies have shown that two components of ginger (gingerol and zingerone) display anti-inflammatory properties in illnesses such a diabetes and cancer.
Green Tea
Long used in traditional eastern medicine, green tea is rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG prevents oxidative cell damage, thus reducing inflammation.
Resveratrol
This potent antioxidant is found in grapes, blueberries, dark chocolate, red wine, and peanuts. Research has shown that resveratrol can reduce the inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a form of blue-green algae that acts as a strong antioxidant. It has been linked to reduced inflammation, as well as healthier aging and a stronger immune system.
SAM-e
Unlike most anti-inflammatories, there are no dietary sources for SAM-e (otherwise known as S-adenosyl-L-methionine). Apart from the SAM-e that is produced by your body, supplements are the only way to increase your supply. In studies, SAM-e has been shown to be as effective as NSAID medications (e.g. ibuprofen) at combatting inflammation…but with fewer side effects.
Vitamins
Many vitamins have proven inflammation-fighting properties. These include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
The powerful antioxidant behaviors of these three vitamins are what make them potent anti-inflammatory agents.
Summing It All Up
The good news is that the list of inflammation fighting supplements is long. And they supply a viable alternative to either prescription or OTC anti-inflammatory medications.
Meanwhile, most natural supplements have few undesirable side effects (provided they’re taken in the correct amounts), and they can be taken for extended periods of time. In contrast, protracted use of NSAIDS can lead to liver damage and damage to the digestive tract.
At Renew Youth, we understand that inflammation can have a significant impact on your long-term health. Want to learn more about how hormone therapy, supplements, and a healthy lifestyle can combat inflammation? Call us at 800-859-7511 or use our contact form to set up your free 30-minute consultation.
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