In the fall of 2004, most medications in a class of popular anti-inflammatory drugs known as cox-2 inhibitors were removed from the market due to evidence that they as much as doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke in some individuals, according to a June 8, 2006, article in the "New York Review of Books." Since then, interest has turned to foods and supplements that effectively lower inflammation in the body with fewer of the attendant side effects. As with any remedy, consult a qualified health care professional to determine the most appropriate course of therapy.
Boswellia
Boswellia, a type of tree that produces a fragrant resin commonly known as frankincense, was tested for anti-inflammatory properties as reported in a Feb. 1, 2008, "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology" article. The study looked at constituents of boswellia known as boswellic acid on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, a process that is promoted when there is inflammation in the body. Genes that promote inflammation were inhibited by the activity of boswellic acid, plaque formation was inhibited and the size of existing plaques was reduced by 50 percent, according to the researchers. While the researchers note that boswellic acid did not reduce the concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol or LDL antibodies in the blood, they conclude that boswellia may have a place in the treatment of heart disease and other conditions associated with chronic inflammation.
Grape Seed Extract
A study reported in the September 2010 "Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" found that grape seed extract had anti-inflammatory benefits for ulcerative colitis. Rats with ulcerative colitis were given 200 mg grape seed extract per kilogram of body weight each day for seven days. The rats that received the grape seed extract had less colon damage observable to the naked eye and on microscopic evaluation. Additionally, the researchers found increased levels of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the treated rats and significantly decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory molecules myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde. The researchers concluded that grape seed proanthocyanidin extract had a protective effect by decreasing inflammation, inhibiting the movement of pro-inflammatory molecules into areas of colonic damage and promoting the repair of damaged tissue.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Inflammation in blood vessel lining occurs with greater frequency, and omega-3 fatty acids are present at lower levels, in obese adolescents than in their normal-weight counterparts, according to a study reported in the October 2010 "Atherosclerosis." The study aimed to determine whether raising omega-3 fatty acids would decrease inflammation. Over a three-month period, study participants received 1.2g of omega-3 fatty acids per day. At the end of the study period, omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood had increased and inflammation in the blood vessels had decreased. Additionally, while total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure remained unchanged between the treated group and the control group, omega-3 supplementation caused a decrease in white blood cell levels and levels of interleukin1b, indicating improvement in immune function.
References
- "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology";Antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic effects of the NF-kappaB inhibitor acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid in LPS-challenged ApoE-/- mice; Cuaz-Pérolin C, et al.; 2008
- "Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology"; Effects of proanthocyanidins from grape seed on treatment of recurrent ulcerative colitis in rats; Wang YH, et al.; 2010
- "Atherosclerosis"; Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves vascular function and reduces inflammation in obese adolescents; Dangardt F, et al.; 2010
- The New York Reveiw of Books; Your Dangerous Drugstore
