Do You Really Need an Anti-Inflammatory Supplement?

What is inflammation?

What causes inflammation?

Diet
Diet is one of the biggest instigators of chronic inflammation and can spark the onset of chronic conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, joint pain, and heart disease. According to studies, dietary habits that are high in refined starches, sugars, saturated and trans-fatty acids can trigger the body to produce more pro-inflammatory cytokines (small proteins that influence immune system responses).3 Further, diets filled with pro-inflammatory ingredients are generally lower in vital anti-inflammatory ingredients. Focusing eating patterns around omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce inflammation and chronic disease.

Stress and depression
Managing stress is not just vital for our emotional wellbeing, but also for our long-term physical health. Research has long suggested an almost-cyclical relationship between stress and depression, and chronic inflammation. Experiencing ongoing stress can cause endocrine and immune system dysfunction, subsequently triggering low-grade inflammation and activating further development of depression.4 Our bodies are not built to withstand unrelenting stress. But unfortunately, modern lifestyle precipitates greater stress.

Exposure to environmental toxins
Our external environments play a huge role in shaping our internal health. Research reveals that the presence of chemicals in the air, or water or food supply spur inflammation.5 When our bodies sense external threats, including the presence of inorganic chemicals, it increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines to fend off the threat. And constant exposure activates a steady uptick of cytokines, naturally leading to chronic inflammation. Certain chemicals known as endocrine disruptors (including chemicals found in plastics and pesticides) have also been shown to alter the microbiome in our gut, leading to further stress and inflammation.6

Untreated infection
When the body senses the threat of a potential infection, it releases an inflammatory counter-attack to protect our tissues and organs.
This response is only meant to be temporary, but sometimes the inflammatory response lingers for too long, prompting white blood cells to turn on the body and begin attacking healthy cells and tissue.
When will you see results?
Everybody responds to new supplements differently. When you begin to incorporate new ingredients into your daily life, the timeline of their impact may be influenced by a few factors, including: age, lifestyle, current symptoms, medical history, and consistency.
After incorporating anti-inflammation supplements with clinically-proven ingredients into your daily life, you may notice the following improvements around the 60 and 90 day marks.
60 Days
By the 60 day mark, you may notice less joint pain and faster recovery time after a strenuous workout.
90 Days
By the 90 day mark, you may notice improvements in your joint mobility and more stable blood-sugar levels.
Why are anti-inflammatory ingredients important?

Tetrohydrocurcumin is increasingly regarded for its potent response to inflammatory conditions, and ability to enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation-induced tissue damage.
Tetrohydrocurcumin counters inflammation by eliminating reactive oxygen species and suppressing pro-inflammatory proteins that bind genes to DNA.7,8 Tetrohydrocurcumin is noted for its protection against pro-inflammatory diseases like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, depression, and more.





Supplement checklist

For example, tetrohydrocurcumin is a more bio-available formulation of curcumin. Supplementing with ingredients that are easier to absorb and metabolize means that the benefits—like inflammation reduction and cellular protection—are more potent.


Root by Hudson™ AIM-01™ |
Ibuprofen (Advil) |
Natural Force’s Pure Omega-3 |
Thorne’s Berberine |
NOW Foods Astaxanthin |
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Pain reduction | • | ||||
Joint improvement | • | • | |||
Brain Health | • | ||||
Insulin Regulation | • | ||||
Antioxidant support | • |
AIM-01

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Cons


Ibuprofen (Advil)

Pros



Cons

Natural Force’s Pure Omega-3

Pros






Cons

Berberine

Pros


Cons

NOW Foods Astaxanthin

Pros


Cons


- Furman, D., Campisi, J., Verdin, E. et al. Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span. Nat Med 25, 1822–1832 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0675-0
- Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I. Chronic Inflammation. [Updated 2022 Jun 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493173/
- Dario Giugliano, Antonio Ceriello, Katherine Esposito,
- The Effects of Diet on Inflammation: Emphasis on the Metabolic Syndrome, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Volume 48, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 677-685, ISSN 0735-1097, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2006.03.052.
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- Heindel JJ, Blumberg B, Cave M, Machtinger R, Mantovani A, Mendez MA, Nadal A, Palanza P, Panzica G, Sargis R, Vandenberg LN, Vom Saal F. Metabolism disrupting chemicals and metabolic disorders. Reprod Toxicol. 2017 Mar;68:3-33. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.10.001. Epub 2016 Oct 17. PMID: 27760374; PMCID: PMC5365353.
- Gálvez-Ontiveros Y, Páez S, Monteagudo C, Rivas A. Endocrine Disruptors in Food: Impact on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Diseases. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 21;12(4):1158. doi: 10.3390/nu12041158. PMID: 32326280; PMCID: PMC7231259.
- Singh S, Aggarwal BB. Activation of transcription factor NF-kappa B is suppressed by curcumin (diferuloylmethane) [corrected] [published correction appears in J Biol Chem 1995 Dec 15;270(50):30235]. J Biol Chem. 1995;270(42):24995-25000. doi:10.1074/jbc.270.42.24995
- Nakamura Y, Ohto Y, Murakami A, Osawa T, Ohigashi H. Inhibitory effects of curcumin and tetrahydrocurcuminoids on the tumor promoter-induced reactive oxygen species generation in leukocytes in vitro and in vivo. Jpn J Cancer Res. 1998;89(4):361-370. doi:10.1111/j.1349-7006.1998.tb00572.x
- “What Are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease?” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 22 July 2022, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-are-common-symptoms-of-autoimmune-disease#:~:text=Autoimmune%20Disease%20Basics,wide%20range%20of%20body%20parts”
- Edwin McDonald, MD. “Foods That Cause Inflammation & How to Reduce Inflammation.” Foods That Cause Inflammation & How to Reduce Inflammation – UChicago Medicine, UChicago Medicine, 4 Sept. 2020, https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/what-foods-cause-or-reduce-inflammation#:~:text=All%20processed%20foods%20can%20cause,that%20leads%20to%20chronic%20inflammation”>https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/what-foods-cause-or-reduce-inflammation#:~:text=All%20processed%20foods%20can%20cause,that%20leads%20to%20chronic%20inflammation
- 11.Dai B, Ma Y, Wang W, et al. Dihydroberberine exhibits synergistic effects with sunitinib on NSCLC NCI-H460 cells by repressing MAP kinase pathways and inflammatory mediators. J Cell Mol Med. 2017;21(10):2573-2585. doi:10.1111/jcmm.13178
- 12.Xu L, Lin G, Yu Q, et al. Anti-Hyperuricemic and Nephroprotective Effects of Dihydroberberine in Potassium Oxonate- and Hypoxanthine-Induced Hyperuricemic Mice. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:645879. Published 2021 Apr 20. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.645879
- Li J, Zhang CX, Liu YM, Chen KL, Chen G. A comparative study of anti-aging properties and mechanism: resveratrol and caloric restriction. Oncotarget. 2017;8(39):65717-65729. Published 2017 Aug 9. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.20084
- Salehi B, Mishra AP, Nigam M, et al. Resveratrol: A Double-Edged Sword in Health Benefits. Biomedicines. 2018;6(3):91. Published 2018 Sep 9. doi:10.3390/biomedicines6030091
- Aggarwal BB, Shishodia S. Molecular targets of dietary agents for prevention and therapy of cancer. Biochem Pharmacol. 2006;71(10):1397-1421. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2006.02.009
- Habib SH, Makpol S, Abdul Hamid NA, Das S, Ngah WZ, Yusof YA. Ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects on ethionine-induced hepatoma rats. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2008;63(6):807-813.
- Hosseinzadeh H, Moallem SA, Moshiri M, Sarnavazi MS, Etemad L. Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) against acute and chronic pain and inflammation in mice. Arzneimittelforschung. 2012;62(7):324-329. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1311635
- Ehmedah A, Nedeljkovic P, Dacic S, et al. Vitamin B Complex Treatment Attenuates Local Inflammation after Peripheral Nerve Injury. Molecules. 2019;24(24):4615.
- Moon JM, Ratliff KM, Hagele AM, Stecker RA, Mumford PW, Kerksick CM. Absorption Kinetics of Berberine and Dihydroberberine and Their Impact on Glycemia: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Pilot Trial. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 28;14(1):124. doi: 10.3390/nu14010124. PMID: 35010998; PMCID: PMC8746601.