Supplements That Help Reduce Inflammation
There are two main types of inflammation, acute inflammation which is often very painful and occurs for a short duration (less than 2 weeks) and chronic inflammation which is slower and less severe occurs for a longer duration (longer than 6 weeks). Acute inflammation may occur due to an injury or illness while chronic inflammation can be caused by autoimmune disorders such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Both types of inflammation can be painful and have a negative impact on your quality of life.
The most common type of inflammation treatment is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. While these drugs are extremely powerful at curbing inflammation and providing pain relief, it is generally not recommended for long-term use due to its side effects like stomach irritation and ulcers and increased risk of stroke, heart attack and blood clots.
Additionally, the side effects of NSAIDs can complicate further if you are any current issue with heart disease, high blood pressure, Gi problems, kidney disease and or liver disease.
For chronic inflammation sufferers, it is instead recommended to take adjunct supplements that will help reduce inflammation and pain naturally, and reduce your reliance on NSAIDs.
Here are some of the most commonly used supplements for inflammation and pain.
Long used as an herbal medicine for over thousands of years, turmeric has been known to have strong anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce swelling and tenderness in inflamed sites.
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin and clinical studies have shown that a daily consumption of turmeric powder was able to alleviate joint pain and stiffness in people who are suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
However, the issue with turmeric is that our bodies are unable to efficiently absorb its active metabolites. Instead, it is recommended to use white turmeric supplements instead as the absorption rate of its active metabolites in the human body is 1250% better compared to regular yellow turmeric.
Boswellia Serrata, also known as Indian frankincense, is the resin of the Boswellia tree that is native to India and Pakistan. Its active ingredient is Boswellic acid which has shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Some research has shown that Boswellic acid can help prevent the formation of inflammation signaling molecules, thus helping to prevent and reduce inflammation. Besides this, the resin has also found to be able to help prevent cartilage damage by reducing the production of cartilage degrading enzymes in our body.
While boswellia serrata supplements are rated based on their concentration of boswellic acid content, the solubility and absorption rate of these acids should also be factored in. Supplements with Bioactive Boswellia Serrata PS are especially potent as they are 500% more soluble and 100% more potent compared to normal Boswellia supplements.
Native to New Zealand, green-lipped mussels are often used as a supplement as it contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which may help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis.
Vouched by the World Arthritis Foundation, green-lipped mussels show promising potential to be powerful adjunct supplements for those who are living with arthritis pain.
And finally, we come to the most popular joint pain supplement out there – glucosamine. Glucosamine is a natural amino sugar that is produced by our bodies, and it is mostly concentrated in our joints and cartilage where is makes up a structure of glycosaminoglycans which are compounds that are essential for joint health.
There are two main types of glucosamine supplements on the market, glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. So far, research has shown that glucosamine sulfate tends to be the more effective form, so if you decide you’d like to try this supplement, go for glucosamine sulfate.
Generally, this supplement which is normally made from shellfish shells are considered safe with no serious side effects, making it an optimal long-term solution for those living with arthritis.