Anti Inflammatory Supplements

About Anti Inflammatory Supplements

The Sporty's Health range of Anti-inflammatory Supplements contain combinations of herbal extracts and nutrients to assist with the management of pain and inflammation. These products may assist in reducing “silent” or chronic inflammation that contributes to degenerative diseases, such as type II diabetes and heart disease. This range of products has a broad range of uses, well beyond acute signs of inflammation, such as heat and swelling. Anti-inflammatory supplements may be used for chronic dis-ease prevention and to promote optimal health.

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 noted 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 systemic inflammation. Some of these inflammatory markers are hs C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa).

Inflammation is an important response in the human body, playing an essential regulatory role at low levels. Inflammation helps to protect a damaged area and deliver increased blood supply for healing and fighting infection. However, this process can be poorly regulated at times without nutritional support and with poor health. One of the most powerful dietary anti-inflammatories is eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, which is found in seafood. And the more fatty the fish, such as sardines and salmon, the higher the content of EPA. This natural fatty acid anti-inflammatory is actually stored within the cell membrane as a constituent of phospholipids, becomming a part of our tissue structure.

Another 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, a famous practitioner who found that Willow bark eased pain and could bring down fevers. It is now known that salicylic acid works as a natural anti-inflammatory. Quercetin, and bioflavonoids in general, also offer anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin in particular has been shown to reduce inflammatory prostoglandin synthesis, as well as the inflammatory and allergy-inducing leukotrienes. 

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 relief of osteoarthritis, to reduce joint pain and improve mobility and movement. Curcumin (turmeric extract) is perhaps the most popular supplement for this purpose, which it typically taken with black pepper or in phytosome form for improved bioavailability.