3 Natural Supplements That Relieve Inflammation
Posted on: 31 January 2017
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury. However, many people experience inflammation when they haven't been injured. This is what causes arthritis pain as well as several other types of chronic pain. There are many medications designed to reduce inflammation, but for those who are looking for some more natural, gentler forms of relief, there are also natural dietary supplements that you can take to reduce inflammation. Take a look at a few of them.
Ginger
You probably think of ginger as a delicious spice to add to your food or as an ingredient in soda or tea that you drink when you have an upset stomach. But ginger can do more than make tasty Christmas cookies and settle stomachs. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
A study at the University of Miami showed that a highly concentrated dose of ginger extract reduced pain and stiffness by 40% over a placebo. If you want to take ginger supplements for inflammation, experts suggest that you take it in capsule form. Adding ginger to food is not likely to give you enough to relieve pain. Look for brands that use the words "super-critical extraction" on the bottle. Those will be the brands that have the purest and most effective ginger supplements.
Fish Oil
You've probably heard lots of reasons why you should eat more fish. Fish is good for brain and eye health, and it also helps protect against heart disease. Now you have a new reason to eat more fish – the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil block cytokines and prostaglandins that cause inflammation. A meta-analysis in 2010 found that fish oil reduced stiffness and joint tenderness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Although experts recommend eating fish at least a couple of times a week, you may not be able to get enough fish oil to reduce inflammation just by eating fish. Fish oil supplements can help you get enough of the active ingredients to treat pain from conditions like arthritis, lupus, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice often found in curry dishes. Besides being a fragrant and enjoyable addition to your meal, turmeric contains over two dozen compounds that reduce inflammation, making it a very effective anti-inflammatory.
As with ginger, adding a few dashes of turmeric to your meals may add flavor, but you probably won't get enough of the spice in your food to treat pain caused by inflammation. Health food retailers offer turmeric supplements in tea, tablet, or capsule form.
You don't have to suffer with pain from inflammation. A natural supplement could be just what you need to help you get rid of your pain and get on with your life.
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