Natural Supplements for Inflammation - 729 words
Inflammation is a natural response to the presence of damaged cells or infection in your body. Once the inflammatory process begins, pain and discomfort are usually not far behind, making it difficult to participate in normal activities. There are plenty of over-the-counter drugs available to relieve inflammation, but many medications have dangerous side effects. If you’d rather treat your inflammation naturally, try one of these supplements.
Vitamin Supplements
Research shows that vitamins A, B6, C, D, E, and K all play a role in reducing inflammation and preventing inflammatory diseases. These vitamins are found in the following foods:
• Vitamin A: Carrots, liver, whole milk
• Vitamin B6: Vegetables, beef, fish, turkey
• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits
• Vitamin D: Fortified milk, liver, fish, egg yolks, beef
• Vitamin E: Leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts
• Vitamin K: Broccoli, spinach, kale
If you are on a restricted diet, or you just don’t like some of these vitamin-rich foods, taking supplements is a good way to correct any vitamin deficiencies and reduce the amount of inflammation in your body.
Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to relieve inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease. If you have chronic inflammation, take a fish oil supplement instead of treating the pain with ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Long-term use of NSAIDs increases the risk for heart attack, internal bleeding, and ulcers.
Green Tea
Natural health practitioners often recommend green tea to reduce inflammation. According to the Arthritis Foundation, green tea contains a substance that blocks the effects of certain cells that trigger an inflammatory response. The substance, EGCG, may prevent damage to the cartilage that cushions the joints. Don’t like the taste of green tea? No problem. There are a variety of green tea supplements available in pill form.
Glucosamine Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most popular natural supplements for inflammation. Both substances are found in cartilage, which is the substance that prevents the bones and joints from rubbing against each other. Glucosamine chondroitin supplements are especially helpful for treating joint pain caused by arthritis.
Calcium
In some people, inflammation is the result of bone loss or poor bone health. Calcium is essential for maintaining healthy bones at any age. Fight inflammation by eating calcium-rich foods or taking a daily calcium supplement. Calcium is found in almonds, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, green beans, and okra. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health recommend taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day if you