Anti Inflammatory Supplements

Anti-inflammatory Supplements contain herbal extracts and/or nutrients to assist in the management of symptoms of pain and inflammation. These products may also assist in reducing “silent” chronic inflammation that can contribute to degenerative diseases, such as Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease. This range of products has a broad range of uses, well beyond physical signs of heat and swelling, and involving dis-ease prevention and general well-being.

Many chronic degenerative diseases have been linked to increased inflammatory markers, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. This is not new research by any means, and was published in a comprehensive review in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2005, amongst many other prestigious journals spanning over decades. Even topical conditions, such as eczema and acne, and mental health issues like depression, have links to increased inflammation. Some of the most nefarious inflammation markers are interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa).

Inflammation is actually a common response in the human body, and is needed as an important regulatory process at low levels. However, reducing chronically elevated levels may prove helpful for the management of a range of conditions. One of the most powerful dietary anti-inflammatories is eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, which is found in seafood. And the more fatty the fish, the higher the content of EPA. Great food sources are actually sardines and salmon. This is a profound anti-inflammatory which is actually stored in the body, within the cell membrane as a constituent of phospholipids.

Another interesting anti-inflammatory nutrient is salicylic acid, which is found just beneath the skin of many fruits and vegetables. This compound was actually prescribed by Hippocrates, as he found that Willow bark, a natural source of salicylic acid, eased pain and could bring down fevers. It is now known that this nutrient works as an effective natural anti-inflammatory. Quercetin, and the bioflavonoids in general, are also excellent anti-inflammatory nutrients. Quercetin in particular has been shown to reduce inflammatory prostoglandin synthesis, as well as the inflammatory and allergy-inducing leukotrienes. 

Additionally, anti-inflammatory supplements are useful for the management of acute trauma, when there is mild to moderate swelling and pain. Commonly, these supplements are used for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, so to reduce joint pain and improve mobility and movement.