 Inflammation is a popular buzzword these days. But what causes it exactly? How can you know you have it, and if it’s something your body does naturally to help you heal, then what’s the big deal?
We’ve all been there: It’s late, you’re tired, and you don’t feel like turning the lights on just to cross a room…then bam! Shin finds coffee table. The resulting egg-shaped lump is formed when blood flow increases to the area, bringing with it neutrophils and macrophages as part of the immune response. Symptoms of this acute inflammation are typical: redness, swelling, heat, and pain. The swelling that occurs as fluid collects in the area is also called “edema.” The symptoms last for a limited period of time—minutes to days—as the body heals itself. Acute inflammation vs. chronic inflammation When the body isn’t given enough time, or if the body is unable to resolve the immune response due to deficiency of certain nutrients, it can lead to chronic inflammation. This can also be caused by untreated infectious pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, as well as the adverse effects of long-term exposure to pollutants or chemicals, including smoking.1,2 Stress and obesity are also known factors that lead to chronic inflammation.3,4 Common symptoms of chronic inflammation include:
What can we do?While acute inflammation is one way your body can heal itself, chronic inflammation should be avoided, as a prolonged inflammatory response can cause damage to healthy cells and tissue. Consider adopting a few simple ways to decrease inflammation. If you have been experiencing the symptoms described herein and are concerned you may have chronic inflammation, make an appointment with your healthcare practitioner. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare professional for advice on medical issues. References:
2 Comments
 Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are a way to help support the body’s natural ability to resolve physical stress.1 While the body can make SPMs naturally, supplementing with exogenous SPMs may help facilitate the body’s natural resolution process and completion of its response to physical challenges.2,3* Metagenics, in collaboration with world-renowned leaders in the field of resolution physiology and other SPM experts, set the standard for defining SPM oils based on activity for use in nutraceutical formulas. But where do these SPMs come from? From the first drop of marine oil through a specialized fractionation protocol and creation of the finished product, Metagenics follows a stringent, patent-pending process to create SPM Active®. The SPM fractionation process: SPM Active is developed through an advanced, patent-pending fractionation process which Metagenics exclusively brings to practitioners. SPM Active is a fraction produced from a high-quality marine oil. This fraction contains standardized levels of 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE, which can lead to the formation of resolvins, an important group of SPMs, in the body. The SPM Active fraction has also been shown to be bioactive and support the existing resolution mechanisms of the body.* While SPMs are sourced from marine lipids, they are not the same as fish oil. In fact, work done during the development of SPM Active shows that fractions, from the same marine oil starting point, behave differently—not all are pro-resolving, and some fractions may have the opposite effect.4 This makes it essential to test and understand the bioactivity of SPM-rich oils. Additionally, even though EPA and DHA are the precursors of SPMs, they do not have pro-resolving properties of SPMs.1 EPA and DHA require multiple downstream enzymatic conversions to form 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE, which are further converted into specialized pro-resolving mediators. References
 Introducing SPM Active
New & Improved SPM Active New & Improved delivers a greater concentration and dosing size of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) compared to the previous formula What has Changed? Double the concentration of 18-HEPE and 17-HDPA as compared to original SPM Active. Softgel size is now double that of the original SPM Active. What are the benefits for your patients? Greater concentration and dosing size facilitates patient compliance. Supplementing with SPMs may help facilitate the body's natural resolution process What hasn't changed? The price Why Metagenics SPM Active? It offers a targeted nutritional approach that is designed to boost the body’s natural capacity to respond to physical stress and promote resolution. Study in research models suggests that a short-term, high-fat diet may negatively impact natural production of specialized pro-resolving mediators. Clinical case study results with SPM Active show significant improvement in biomarkers of activated immune function, increased quality of life, and reduced interference of symptoms during general activity. Specialized pro-resolving mediators may help promote resolution of physical stress after an episode of strenuous physical exertion. Metagenics set the standard for delivering SPMs based on activity for use in nutraceutical formulas in collaboration with world-renowned SPM experts.  by Whitney Crouch, RDN, CLT
What is Golden Milk? Popularized across social media, golden milk is a cross-cultural drink originating in Asian countries and consumed for its anti-inflammatory properties and pungent flavor. Also known as “golden milk latte” or “turmeric tea”, golden milk is made with freshly grated or ground turmeric, a pinch of freshly ground pepper, honey or lemon to taste, and hot water, milk, or dairy alternative.1-2 The addition of freshly grated or ground ginger adds extra flavor and additional anti-inflammatory characteristics, with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg rounding out the flavor.1-2 The Golden Milk “MVP”: Turmeric While turmeric is the star of the show with its golden color and unique flavor, golden milk is a purposefully designed elixir including ingredients that aid in the absorption and delivery of turmeric’s polyphenolic compound, curcumin, the primary curcuminoid found in turmeric. Curcumin is a poorly absorbed compound on its own, but the addition of piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, increases the absorption by approximately 2,000%.3 Another well-designed feature of the golden milk beverage involves the use of whole fat milk or added fat (such as coconut milk or oil) to facilitate improved bioavailability of the fat-loving (lipophilic) curcuminoid phenols; leveraging a lipophilic design has been shown to allow for greater bioaccessibility of curcuminoids.4 Golden Milk and Arthritis Arthritis is an inflammatory condition characterized by swollen, painful joints. It affects children and adults and presents in many forms – autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and infectious arthritis, to name a few.5-6 While each condition has a different etiology, the clinical presentation includes stiff joints, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, rigidity, and inability to use the affected limb(s).5-6 Sometimes called degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans.5 OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck, small joints of the fingers and the bases of the thumb and big toe.5 In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving joints.5 Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system – which normally protects its health by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses – mistakenly attacks the joints. Since this is a systemic condition, it may also affect organ and body systems.6 Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous perennial plant of the ginger family.7 Curcumin, the medicinal compound found in turmeric root, has been used for thousands of years, but has only recently been studied extensively. A curcuminoid polyphenol (also called diferuloylmethane), curcumin has been used medicinally in Asian countries for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, and anti-cancer properties.8 Typical anti-inflammatory medications are successful in blocking the pro-inflammatory COX pathway, while curcumin’s benefits are seen via inhibiting actions of both COX and LOX enzymes, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes.9 Unlike many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), curcumin does not irritate the gastric lining when taken with food.10 Recent studies have examined the role of curcumin in the gut, specifically its interaction with the gut microbiota. Highly concentrated amounts of curcumin have been used as a standalone or adjunct approach to many clinical conditions. Until recently the dose of curcumin ingested through daily food intake and its clinical relevance was not well understood. Oral administration of curcumin is beneficially involved in many health processes, including those underlying osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.11 Limited bioavailability and inability to detect curcumin in circulation or target tissues has hindered the validation of a causal role, however studies suggest the relationship between curcumin, microbiota, and gut tissue to be at the base of improved overall health and reduced inflammation with dietary intake of turmeric.12 In their review of current studies, Gosh, et al. theorize that the mechanism underlying the attenuation of metabolic dysfunction is a curcumin-mediated decrease in the release of gut bacteria-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into blood circulation, by maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier function.12 In this role, lacking extensive systemic circulation, curcumin reduces the release inflammatory LPS molecules, thereby protecting several layers of the intestinal barrier.12 While the data on curcumin’s role in supporting healthy joints and combating arthritis is growing, it should be noted that the clinically effective doses studied range from 1000-1500 mg/day of curcuminoids. The typical golden milk recipe includes 0.5-3 teaspoons of turmeric, or approximately 3-9 grams of ground turmeric root.1-2,14 With the lower bioavailability of dietary curcumin, and the curcumin content of the turmeric root averaging 3.14% by weight,13 actual curcuminoid intake per golden milk drink ranges from 0.05-0.28 mg when preparing it with 0.5-3 teaspoons of turmeric (based on simple math). Golden milk tea is a wellness-promoting drink that should be incorporated into a nutrient dense, anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle. While higher, more targeted doses of curcumin may be necessary to promote clinically significant changes in arthritic pain outcomes, the sum of all diet and lifestyle parts should be considered when approaching inflammation from a more natural, holistic perspective. References:
Whitney Crouch, RDN, CLT Whitney Crouch is a Registered Dietitian with a BS in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis. She has over 10 years of experience across multiple areas of dietetics, specializing in integrative and functional nutrition and food sensitivities. When she’s not writing about nutrition or educating others, she’s spending time with her husband and young son. She’s often found running around the bay near her home with the family’s dog or in the kitchen cooking up new ideas to help her picky eater expand his palate. |
Categories
All
Archives
April 2025
|
RSS Feed
|
Contact Us:
Telephone: 011 802 8101 WhatsApp: +27 76 946 7918 |
|
Address:
Unit 3, Eastgate Business Park, Corner South Road & Marlboro Drive, Marlboro, Johannesburg |
|