If you suffer from pain or stiffness of the joints or some immune-mediated illnesses, then you are probably suffering from an inflammatory process in the body. While anti-inflammatory pills can help short-term, these can cause other medical problems, which are more difficult to treat. It is far better to try to prevent inflammation in the first place; this can be done with the aid of certain vitamins and supplements, which can also help to speed up the healing process. Consult with a health care professional before using vitamins or supplements to treat any medical condition.
Vitamin C
For inflammation caused by an injury or strain, taking vitamin C will help rebuild the damaged tissue. Pads cushion your body's joints and help protect them from damage. These pads are made up of a combination of cartilage and collagen; your body needs vitamin C to make that collagen. A daily dose of 1 to 3 g is recommended, but most of the fresh fruit and vegetables you eat contain it naturally. If you eat a well-balanced diet with eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day, you may not need as much supplementation.
Vitamin E
While vitamin E is commonly known as a fat-soluble antioxidant, it is also becoming a more popular choice to use as an anti-inflammatory. As far back as 1967, researchers noted that vitamin E had anti-inflammatory effects on the body. More recently, in a study published in 2008 in the "Journal of American College of Nutrition," researchers found that a combination of vitamin E and C will lower inflammation in older individuals and improve the body's ability to use insulin through a rise in glucose metabolism.
Vitamin D
In a research study reported in April 2006 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," German researchers found that after 9 months of vitamin D3 plus calcium, patients had higher levels of anti-inflammatory agents in their bloodstreams. Researchers theorized that the changes in chemical levels within the blood would help prevent the development of congestive heart failure, now linked to an inflammatory process within the body. The increased levels of vitamin D was shown to improve muscular function, control blood pressure and improve levels of glucose in the body. Each of these factors is identified as a cause of congestive heart failure.
B Vitamins
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists vitamins B-6, B-9 and B-12 as supplements that have anti-inflammatory properties in the body. Although depletions are rare, the addition of these vitamins can help to reduce the inflammatory process. They can be taken as supplements or found in fresh dairy products and meats.
References
- Nature; "Anti-Inflammatory Activity of d-alpha-Tocopherol and Linoleic Acid"; V Wilfred Stuyvesant; November 1967
- PubMed.gov: Evidence for anti-inflammatory effects of combined administration of vitamin E and C in older persons with impaired fasting glucose"; MR Rizzo; August 2008
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition": Vitamin D supplementation improves cytokine profiles in patients with congestive heart failure; Stefanie S Schleithoff, et al.; April 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Anti-Inflammatory Medications
