Inflammation is a sign that your immune system is working. After an injury or during an infection, inflammation is a good sign because it contains cells that help you heal. But sometimes your immune system goes into overdrive, and inflammation persists long after it’s needed.
This type of ongoing inflammation damages your body. Chronic inflammation causes or contributes to serious health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
By their very definition, rheumatic diseases are associated with chronic inflammation. Arthritis inflames your joints, lupus leads to bodywide inflammation, and vasculitis causes inflamed blood vessels, to give you a few examples.
When you have a rheumatic disease, reducing systemic inflammation is a critical part of your treatment. Diminishing inflammation eases your symptoms and slows down progressive damage to your joints and other tissues.
At Pacific Rheumatology, Behnam Khaleghi, MD, helps his patients fight back by providing natural, anti-inflammatory supplements. Here’s a rundown of the top products he prescribes to reduce chronic inflammation.
Many plants and herbs contain active ingredients that fight inflammation throughout your body. In fact, they’re so potent that they can interact with prescription drugs. That’s why it’s always important to check with us before using over-the-counter supplements.
The supplements we offer contain a precise amount of active ingredients, giving you a controlled dose that’s high enough to produce results. We stock a variety of anti-inflammatory supplements in the office, including:
Two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are biologically potent anti-inflammatory agents. They work by regulating the biochemicals that cause inflammation in your body.
These essential fatty acids significantly lower inflammation in a wide range of chronic health conditions, including arthritis, lupus, coronary heart disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, has a yellow-orange color that comes from its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin is especially beneficial for fighting inflammation in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It also reduces inflammation associated with heart disease, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.
You probably know ginger for its ability to relieve nausea and vomiting. However, it also contains several active ingredients that reduce the inflammation found in people with rheumatic diseases, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes.
Resveratrol, the compound naturally found in grapes, blueberries, and other red, blue, and purple fruits, lowers inflammation by inhibiting enzymes and other biochemicals that trigger inflammation. It also serves as an antioxidant and may help prevent heart disease.
Xanthohumol belongs to a group of plant-based substances called flavonoids. It’s naturally found in hops, the plant that’s used to flavor some types of beer.
In addition to diminishing inflammation in people with arthritis, xanthohumol serves as an antioxidant and an herbal medicine for insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness.
Though most people haven’t heard of it, there’s an endocannabinoid system inside the human body. This system produces substances called cannabinoids that regulate critical activities such as inflammation, anxiety, mood, and sleep.
CBD oil is a natural cannabinoid that’s extracted from hemp. When you use a CBD product, it activates your body’s endocannabinoid system. As a result, CBD oil is especially beneficial for reducing inflammation.
Like all natural supplements, you can only achieve therapeutic results by taking the right dose of a high-quality CBD product. Our medical-grade products go through intense quality reviews to ensure you get a safe, effective supplement.
To learn more about anti-inflammatory supplements, call Pacific Rheumatology today or book an appointment online.
