Inflammation is a natural response by the body to injury, infection, or stress, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to various health issues, including joint pain, digestive discomfort, and even heart disease. As more people seek natural approaches to healing inflammation, supplements have gained attention as a sustainable option for helping manage inflammation.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most popular and effective supplements that can help combat inflammation from the inside out. Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, chronic pain, or just looking to reduce general inflammation, these supplements could be the key to helping you feel better, naturally. Speak with your health advisor and an NFP nutrition advisor to help determine which products might be best for you.
Proteolytic enzymes, such as serrapeptase, bromelain, and papain, are powerful proteins that break down other proteins in the body, including those involved in inflammation. These enzymes are often used to reduce pain and swelling, promote tissue repair, and support healing in inflammatory conditions.
Proteolytic enzymes reduce inflammation by:
Common Uses: Proteolytic enzymes are often used for conditions like arthritis, sinusitis, sports injuries, and post-surgical recovery.
Key Benefits:
Tip: Proteolytic Enzymes must be taken on an empty stomach for them to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric, the bright yellow spice known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has gained popularity as a natural remedy for inflammation-related conditions, particularly arthritis and digestive issues.
Curcumin works by inhibiting inflammatory pathways in the body, particularly those involving the NF-kB pathway, a protein complex that regulates the immune response. By blocking these pathways, curcumin helps reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes like COX-2, which are involved in pain and swelling.
Common Uses: Curcumin is commonly used for arthritis, joint pain, inflammatory bowel disease, and general inflammatory conditions.
Key Benefits:
Tip: Curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body on its own. To increase bioavailability, it’s often taken with black pepper extract (piperine) or in a more bioavailable form, such as curcumin phytosome.
Boswellia serrata, commonly known as frankincense, is an herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce inflammation and pain. The resin extracted from the Boswellia tree contains boswellic acids, compounds shown to block the action of pro-inflammatory enzymes.
Boswellic acids inhibit the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, which is responsible for producing leukotrienes—molecules that play a key role in inflammation and immune responses. By blocking this enzyme, Boswellia helps reduce pain and swelling, particularly in the joints.
Common Uses: Boswellia is commonly used to manage symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Key Benefits:
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of biochemical processes in the body, including muscle function, nerve transmission, and the regulation of blood sugar. It also plays a role in managing inflammation, as it helps to regulate the inflammatory response and reduces oxidative stress.
Magnesium helps control inflammation by regulating the production of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation in the blood. Low levels of magnesium are associated with higher levels of CRP, meaning magnesium may help prevent or manage chronic inflammation.
Common Uses: Magnesium is often used to support muscle relaxation, nervous system health, and to alleviate symptoms of migraine, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.
Key Benefits:
Tip: Magnesium supplements come in various forms, including magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium chloride. The citrate form is often preferred for inflammation, while glycinate is gentler on the digestive system.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, flaxseed, and chia seeds, are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. These essential fats are crucial for maintaining heart health, brain function, and reducing the inflammatory processes that can lead to chronic disease.
Omega-3s, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), help reduce inflammation by:
Common Uses: Omega-3s are beneficial for managing arthritis, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and skin conditions like eczema.
Key Benefits:
Tip: When choosing an omega-3 supplement, look for products that provide a high concentration of EPA and DHA, ideally from wild-caught fish or algae-based sources for those on plant-based diets.
Chronic inflammation can be debilitating, but a combination of the right supplements can help manage and reduce it over time. Proteolytic enzymes, curcumin, boswellia, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids each offer unique mechanisms to tackle inflammation from different angles, supporting both relief and healing.
While these supplements can be highly effective, they work best when integrated into a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management. As always, consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure it’s right for your specific needs.
By choosing natural, evidence-backed options to address inflammation, you can help support your body’s ability to heal, reduce pain, and maintain overall health—without relying on potentially harmful medications.
