Inflammation: What nutrients and how they are involved in the control of it

Chronic inflammation happens due to oxidative stress, the principal process by which degenerative diseases and aging appear.

Oxygen is like the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (is a character that sometimes is good, sometimes is not). Let's say why.

In order to produce energy our cells pass through a process of respiration, when our nose enters oxygen, goes to the lungs and so on, it starts series of oxidation and reduction reactions (called redox, on which electrons are interchanged). Glucose is broken into small fractions and we have energy then, CO2 and water.

But during cellular respiration, some of the exchanged electrons escape, then, when they join to Oxygen molecules, (Oxygen now converts in Mr. Hyde) resulting in Free Radicals of Oxygen, which with other free radicals are responsive for the oxidative damages to the cells.

This damages may involve: Breaking the membranes of structures in the cells like: the nucleus membrane, the membrane of the cell itself, etc. (You see Mr. Hyde really out of control destroying everything he wants), producing sometimes the death of the cell or impairs its functions.

Oxidative stress (What turns Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde) is generated by:

+ Pollution.

+ Stress.

+ Smoking.

+ Strenuous exercise.

+ Diets: High sugar / high fat / spicy, etc.

While we can't live with free radicals, we also can't live without them, just like in the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The secret lies in balance.

Normally the cell has help from antioxidants produced by the body (called endogenous) and dietary antioxidants, which donate electrons and convert free radicals (Mr. Hyde) into stable molecules (Dr. Jekyll).

In order to control inflammation and keep balance, we need to give the body as many dietary antioxidants as possible. This will help the cells to win the battle against chronic and degenerative diseases and we help the body to pass through a normal aging process and not an accelerated one.

The fighting nutrients

Omega 3 essential fatty acids (EPA = Eicosapentanoic Acid and DHA = Docosahexanoic Acid), derived from fish oil have a huge impact on the inflammation control, because with this fatty acids molecules called: beneficial prostaglandins (PG-E1 and PG-E3) are formed.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Their job against inflammation and pro-health.

Another fighter against inflammatory responses is: Gamma Tocopherol, better known as one of the forms of Vitamin E, and which uses her sword against nitrogen oxide free radicals and also has the ability to turn off the central enzyme of the inflammatory process.

Gamma Tocopherol is strong enough to prevent human diseases, resulting also a therapeutic molecule.

Lipoic Acid which can disolve in water and in fat, is capable of preventing the oxidative damage at the cytoplasm of the cell (the inside portion of the cell) is a good warrior with spear against the nitrogen oxide and oxygen free radical species including one of the most damaging ones: the hydroxil radical (OH).

Lipoic acid also knows how to use the guns against the nuclear factor Kappa Beta. The result is the inhibition of this factor, which has the ability to turn on the response for oxidative stress (Lipoic acid certainly knows how to break the walls of the fortress of the enemy), reducing the inflammatory advance.

Here comes the vitamin C! Whose power is unquestioned. This vitamin can depress clinical markers of inflammation, including tumor necrosis factor-beta and C-reactive protein, but it also can help the Lipoic Acid inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa beta.

High dose supplementation with vitamin C can reduce help the blood vessels to reduce the dysfunction of their endothelial lining caused by inflammatory processes.

Vitamin C also may suppress cell death (apoptosis) from inflammatory responses. Now everybody start eating: Guavas, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and supplementing with an adequate formulation.

As far as I know there are many vitamin C supplements in the market but Usana Health Sciences has a wonderful one called Poly C (not of ascorbic acid, but an admixture of ascorbats that is mild with your stomach and is highly potent and well absorbed).

Flavonoids (like the ones included in dark grapes) and other polyphenols not only fight as antioxidants, they also modulate cell-signaling processes that direct inflammatory events. This molecules attenuate those situations, let's see some.

What research has found is that flavonoids posess anti-inflammatory abilities including:

+ Capacity to avoid the expression of cellular adhesion molecules (Imagine a group of molecules on the cell huddling to try to "throw it down").

+ Turns off the generation of Inflammatory Prostaglandin PG-E2.

+ Flavonoids also shut down the enzyme that promotes inflammation (cyclo-oxygenase-2).

+ Attenuate the activation of the inflammatory Kappa Beta nuclear factor.

+ They may inhibite the synthesis of the inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide.

+ A polyphenol found in grapes called: Resveratrol, also inhibits inflammatory cytokines and blocks the activation of other harmful molecules. In a study regarding colitis, resveratrol reduced the risk of colonic injury.

+ Green tee polyphenols can also shut down inflammatory factors and are good protectors to the nervous system cells being good against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

+ Curcumin, a non toxic herb that possesses potent antioxidant activity also inhibits alot of mediators of inflammation.

As a note: Curcumin may be included in supplements which contain also Glucosamine. The simbiotic action of this elements may have the purpose to help reduce inflammation of joints and cartilages and to allow the cartilage to rebuild.

+ The Virgin Olive Oil has polyphenols that may inhibit a tumor necrosis factor-alpha and may decrease the production of inflammating-promoting enzymes. Olive oil phenols can reduce atherosclerotic lesions and helps also against bowel disease.

The bottom line

There are a wide variety of expert fighters (dietary antioxidants) that go against the enemies of the inflammatory fight. This nutrients are all proven molecules that help to control inflammation. Take them in your daily diet and as a quality supplement every day.

Supplements are a good source of antioxidants, check what they are, how do you know you need them and how to choose them

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