Chronic Infl ammation, Pain & Disease: Combating Them Naturally
Part 2 By J. Erika Dworkin, Certifi ed Lifestyle Educator
Whole-body infl ammation refers to chronic, imperceptible, low-level infl ammation...[O] ver time this kind of infl ammation sets the foundation for many serious, age-related diseases including heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Recent evidence indicates that whole-body infl am- mation may also contribute to psychological disorders, especially depression…
The extent of this chronic infl ammation is infl uenced by genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, too much stress, and exposure to environmental
toxins...Diet has a huge impact so much so that I believe that most people in our part of the world go through life in a pro-infl ammatory state as a result of what they eat.
- Andrew Weil, MD -
drweil.com
it and the chronic infl ammation (CI) that underlies it? Part 1 of this two-part article explained how CI develops and its role in pain and chronic disease. It emphasized that preventing and reducing CI fi rst and foremost requires: (1) following an anti-in- fl ammatory, alkalizing diet, (2) minimizing the permeability of the intestinal walls, and (3) removing excess toxins from the body
A
re you fed up with chronic pain or discomfort? What healthy steps are you willing to take to combat
on a daily basis. Below is a discussion of various dietary supplements, alphabetized for easy reference, that can begin to ad- dress the CI that is underlying your chronic health condition or disease.
Aloe Vera: This versatile plant contains 75 potentially active constituents, including vitamins (e.g, beta-carotene, C and E), en- zymes, minerals, fatty acids, sugars, lignins, salicylic acids, and amino acids. Its juice and gel forms can be used internally or top- ically to address various types of infl amma- tion due to the plant’s antifungal, antibacte- rial, analgesic, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. While some experts maintain that more clinical studies are warranted, aloe has been shown in clinical practice to aid certain conditions, such as: (1) digestive disorders (acid refl ux/GERD, constipation, diarrhea, candida, peptic ulcers, NSAID damage); (2) kidney stones (anthraquinones bind calcium to reduce the growth rate of urinary crystals); (3) osteoarthritis and other non-cancer chronic pain; and (4) high blood sugar/types 1 and 2 diabetes.
Astaxanthin: Carotenes (e.g., beta-caro- tene, lycopene) and xanthopylls (e.g., astax- anthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), the two types of antioxidant carotenoids found in plants, algae, and microorganisms, are required in the human diet. While human scientifi c evidence is somewhat limited, pinkish-col- ored astaxanthin (found in salmon and krill) is considered to have the capacity to: (1) combat infl ammation, oxida- tive stress, and mental/ physical fatigue; (2) support eye, skin, and cardiovascular health (including protection against atherosclerosis); (3) improve exercise performance and fi ght muscle fatigue; and (4) clean cells, preserve
34 Natural Nutmeg - November/December 2017
their membranes, and protect them from UV damage. The average daily recommend- ed dose is 6-8mg.
Curcumin: A polyphenol extracted from turmeric, this member of the ginger family has been used in traditional Indian medicine for more than 3000 years. Stud- ies have shown that this potent antioxidant combats infl ammation, bacteria (includ- ing H. pylori), fungus/yeast, and viruses. It targets a wide range of diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, infl ammatory bowel disease, and cancer, (e.g., tumors, breast and cervical cancers). One professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Department of Investigational Can- cer Therapeutics noted that curcumin “was just as potent at killing tumor cells in the lab as any experimental drug” she had seen from pharmaceutical companies.
Otherwise diffi cult to absorb, curcumin
is best taken when incorporated into an absorption-enhancing drug delivery system. High doses of regular or 95% standard- ized turmeric have demonstrated in clinical practice to potentially cause diarrhea and mild nausea in those with sensitive diges- tive systems.
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA): High quality fi sh oil, in the right dose and ratio to omega-6 fatty acids, is a critical part of every nutri- tional supplement regimen. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition has reported that EPA and DHA, two of the key omega-3 essential fatty acids in the oil of fatty fi sh, “may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease, hypertension, arthritis, other in- fl ammatory and autoimmune disorders, and cancer.” In one 2016 review of research on DHA and brain development and function, the writers stated that their fi ndings suggest “a role of DHA in cognitive decline and in relation to major psychiatric disorders.”
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