Control Inflammation using Natural Therapies

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Control Inflammation using Natural Therapies

Healthylife Pharmacy7 August 2016|4 min read

Inflammation has become a popular topic due to its contribution to many health problems. We know that inflammation is a healthy reaction to some injury or disease in the body, considered a normal immune response - fever, pain and  swelling are all common symptoms of inflammation. However the inflammatory process can sometimes remain unresolve resulting in a chronic inflammatory condition. Reducing inflammatory mediators can be supported by the use of some proven natural therapies, such as curcumin, fish oil, celery seed, ginger, NAC and vitamin C.

Curcumin

Curcumin, the active anti-inflammatory ingredient of the turmeric root and has a long list of proven qualities, including anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for thousands of years for inflammation and many other conditions. 

Curcumin has been studied to help in a variety of health conditions, such as exercise recovery, reduced inflammation and pain in autoimmune conditions, osteoarthritis and post-surgical inflammation. 

Curcumin is not well absorbed so many manufactured forms have been produced to improve absorption. These include reducing particle size, water soluble or adding an activating ingredient, such as black pepper.

Benefits of curcumin of curcumin

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antioxidant
  • Liver protective and aid in detoxification processes
  • Antiviral and antimicrobial
  • Wound healing
  • Digestive support

Caution is advised: for those with gall bladder stones or obstruction as curcumin stimulates gall bladder contraction. Curcumin can heal a digestive ulcer, but being a spice, it may feel uncomfortable  and for this reason is best consummed with food. Very mild concerns over blood thinning effects, anyone on blood thinners should consult a doctor before use. Doses typically range from 80 - 4000 mg plus depending on use.

Omega-3’s (EPA/DHA)

The Omega-3’s are most well-known for cardiovascular benefits, arthritis and brain function support. The benefits of Omega-3 help address all inflammatory conditions anywhere in the body. Every cell in the body contains lipids (fats) Omega-3’s help protect cells, promote energy production and have a positive function toward improving cardiovascular health.

Benefits of Omega-3

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Lowers triglycerides
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Improve depression
  • Increase metabolic rate to lose weight
  • Improve exercise recovery

Omega-3’s help to control inflammation, support cellular repair, decrease discomfort and reduce inflammatory biomarkers. 

Cautions: The usual source of omega-3 is from fish, which may potentially be contaminated with mercury, PCBs and other fat soluble toxins, so high quality supplementation is suggested. Typical dosage can range from 500 mg to 4000 mg fish oil per day and higher depending on need.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a classic and well known immune booster, though most people don't give it credit for being our most accessible antioxidant to combat inflammation. There are many forms of Vitamin C available today. They all have benefits. The most common (and well-studied) - is ascorbic acid which has proven benefits in reducing inflammation in the cardiovascular system, diabetes, and more.

Benefits of Vitamin C  

  • Reduces inflammation related to allergies and asthma
  • Reduce inflammatory markers like CRP
  • Reduce fasting blood sugar in diabetics
  • Reduce triglycerides in diabetes
  • Improves immune function

Celery Seed

Apium graveolens - (Celery) seed has been used traditionally for treating inflammation and painful conditions. Research has proven its use with the following conditions.

  • Pre existing inflammation
  • Gastric irritation after NSAIDs use (can combine therapy) to reduce inflammation
  • Conditions involving pain
  • Inflammation in arthritis

Ginger

This herbal root is one often found in the kitchen. Ginger is traditional medicine with thousands of years of history of use in conditions of health.

Benefits of ginger

  • Reduce inflammation and markers 
  • Reduce triglycerides and total cholesterol
  • Improving insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in diabetes
  • Reduces pain symptoms in osteoarthritis
  • Aids digestion
  • Offers benefits in circulatory and cardiovascular health

Caution when using ginger if taking blood-thinning medication.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

Glutathione is the antioxidant responsible for detoxification and protection from inflammatory chemicals, heavy metals, bacterial toxins and more. N-acetyl cysteine increases glutathione– an easy to find amino acid present in cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, cabbage and is available in supplemental form. 

Benefits of NAC

  • Reduces inflammation body wide by reducing homocysteine
  • Improve exercise performance
  • Improve post-exercise recovery
  • Increase glutathione in blood and brain in diseases like Parkinson's disease
  • Reduces lung inflammation in COPD
  • Breaks up nasal and lung congestion
  • Antidote for Tylenol (acetaminophen) overdose. 

See your Naturopath or Doctor to obtain this product as a supplement.

The most powerful therapies of diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle can be supported and taken to the next level with the nutrients and herbs mentioned above. In most situations these are safe nutrients that can reduce inflammation because in normal situations inflammation is a great function that protects and helps us heal but too much is literally painful.

Reference

  1. Biological properties of curcumin-cellular and molecular mechanisms of action http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15116757
  2. Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26170625
  3. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) in patients with postoperative inflammation http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3546166
  4. Reduced inflammatory and muscle damage biomarkers following oral supplementation with bioavailable curcumin http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27051592
  5. Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Reduces Inflammation in Obese Pregnant Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26340264
  6. Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1943180
  7. A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22407780
  8. Oral supplementation of turmeric decreases proteinuria, hematuria, and systolic blood pressure in patients suffering from relapsing or refractory lupus nephritis: a randomized and placebo-controlled study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21742514
  9. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Pilot Studyhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26799942
  10. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) in patients with postoperative inflammation http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3546166
  11. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for 12 Weeks Increases Resting and Exercise Metabolic Rate in Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Females http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26679702
  12. Consumption of Fish Oil Providing Amounts of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid That Can Be Obtained from the Diet Reduces Blood Pressure in Adults with Systolic Hypertension: A Retrospective Analysishttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26817716
  13. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for 12 Weeks Increases Resting and Exercise Metabolic Rate in Healthy Community-Dwelling Older Females http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26679702
  14. Effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid on resting and exercise-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers: a randomized, placebo controlled, cross-over study ttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19691834
  15. Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Reduces Inflammation in Obese Pregnant Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26340264
  16. Safety considerations with omega-3 fatty acid therapy http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17368277
  17. Celery Seed and Related Extracts with Antiarthritic, Antiulcer, and Antimicrobial Activities http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26462366
  18. The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24490949
  19. Immune function in aged women is improved by ingestion of vitamins C and E http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9795745
  20. Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces plasma homocysteine concentrations regardless of lipid or smoking statushttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26447155
  21. Effect of N-acetylcysteine on cycling performance after intensified training http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24576857
  22. N-Acetylcysteine boosts brain and blood glutathione in Gaucher and Parkinson diseases http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23860343
  23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24293993 Effect of high-dose N-acetylcysteine on airway geometry, inflammation, and oxidative stress in COPD patients 
  24. Antioxidant supplementation and nasal inflammatory responses among young asthmatics exposed to high levels of ozone http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15498043