What are the best supplements for fighting inflammation? Inflammation is a hot topic recently. While many view it negatively, it’s crucial for our bodies as it helps heal injuries. This is “acute” inflammation. But there’s also “chronic” inflammation, which is harmful and linked to various diseases. Chronic inflammation means a low level of inflammation is always present in the body, increasing disease risk. Unlike acute inflammation, it doesn’t go away after healing.
Multiple factors, such as unhealthy diet, toxins, smoking, alcohol, obesity, stress, autoimmune diseases, and lingering injuries, can cause chronic inflammation. Lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, eating healthier, and reducing toxin exposure can help prevent or lessen it. However, some may need extra assistance through supplements that provide anti-inflammatory nutrients, which can help modulate the inflammatory response. Here are four supplements that may help fight inflammation:
Curcumin
Many people widely use curcumin as a natural supplement to combat inflammation. If you haven’t heard of it, it comes from the root vegetable turmeric! So, as you can imagine, it has a very bright yellow-orange color. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, it has a low concentration of curcumin, the active ingredient, so many take it as a supplement for a higher dose.
Curcumin works in our bodies in several ways. It can reduce inflammation by suppressing certain factors, chemicals, and enzymes that promote it. Additionally, curcumin can help prevent the increase of inflammatory cells due to cell growth and division.
Curcumin is a potent substance used to manage both short-term and long-term inflammation. For instance, taking curcumin supplements after an injury can aid healing and pain control. As for chronic inflammation, it’s used not just for treatment but also for prevention. Due to its strong anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is utilized to manage various chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune disorders.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s are a type of essential polyunsaturated fats that our bodies can’t produce in sufficient quantities, so we need to get them from our diet. The best sources are cold-water fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, but not everyone can consume enough of these. As a result, many people take supplements like cod liver oil to get their optimal intake of omega-3s.
When it comes to managing inflammation, omega-3s are quite effective. They can transform cells filled with pro-inflammatory omega-6s into an anti-inflammatory state. Additionally, they can prevent the formation of certain substances linked to inflammation, such as eicosanoids derived from omega-6 fats and cytokines. People use omega-3s to treat various conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome because of their proven anti-inflammatory effects. They also use them to promote general health.
Ginger
Ginger, a root vegetable known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is often used to ease digestive discomfort. But it has more health benefits! Thanks to its antioxidant properties, ginger can also help combat inflammation. Various studies have shown that ginger can be beneficial in dealing with both short-term and long-term inflammation. It’s effective in reducing muscle pain after heavy workouts, and it can also help manage numerous chronic inflammatory conditions, much like the supplements mentioned earlier.
Bromelain
If you haven’t heard of bromelain before, it comes from the very popular tropical fruit pineapple. Just another reason to add this delicious fruit to your diet. Not only is bromelain anti-inflammatory, but it is also an anti-cancer agent and has immunomodulating properties. It has been used for injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and many other inflammatory conditions.
Conclusion
In simple terms, inflammation is your body’s natural way of healing from injuries. However, if these injuries don’t heal correctly or other factors like an inflammatory diet or autoimmune disease are present, this inflammation can linger and become chronic.
Given that many people struggle with chronic inflammation, there’s a growing demand for supplements to help reduce it. Some of the top choices for fighting inflammation include curcumin, omega-3s, ginger, and bromelain. There are also plenty of other options not mentioned here, such as vitamin D, green tea extract, vitamin C, and various antioxidants. These can all play a role in managing inflammation and promoting overall health.
