Vitamins & Minerals For Tissue Inflammation

Inflammation is part of a natural immune response your body launches in reaction to injury or illness. When infection or trauma cause damage to your cells, they release histamine, which increases the porosity of blood vessels walls. Fluids from within your blood vessels seep into the injured tissues. You're probably familiar with the symptoms of inflammation -- swelling, redness and heat at the injury site. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation is associated with numerous diseases. Some nutrients help reduce inflammation.

Vitamin B-6

C-reactive protein, or CRP, is a substance that your liver produces when your body experiences inflammation. By measuring the levels of CRP in your blood, physicians determine your level of inflammation. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin B-6 deficiency has been linked to increased CRP levels. Vitamin B-6 deficiency is also associated with increased risk for heart disease, which is also closely related to inflammation in your body. The Institute of Medicine states that the daily recommended intake for vitamin B-6 ranges between 1.3 and 1.7 mg per day, depending on your age and gender.

Magnesium

The majority of American adults aren't consuming enough magnesium, according to Forrest H. Nielsen of the US Department of Agriculture, and that nutrient deficit may contribute to chronic inflammation. Nielsen states that this epidemic of magnesium deficiency, and the subsequent chronic inflammation that results, may be a factor in the nation's skyrocketing rates atherosclerosis, high-blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. The daily recommended intake for magnesium ranges between 310 mg and 420 mg per day, depending on your age and gender.

Vitamin E

The antioxidant alpha-tocopherol, or vitamin E, reduces inflammation through a number of biological mechanisms, such as inhibiting inflammatory enzymes in your body. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin E may treat rheumatoid arthritis, which is associated with inflammation in the joints. Vitamin E is also useful in the prevention of heart disease. The Institute of Medicine states that the daily recommended intake for vitamin E is 15 mg per day for adults.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has long been regarded as a line of defense against the common cold -- a reputation that has been debunked by scientific studies, including a 2006 report published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition." This vitamin does show promise, however, as an inflammation fighter. According to Science Daily, vitamin C has been shown to reduce CRP concentrations in the blood. Gladys Block, a UC Berkeley professor, says vitamin C appears to be more effective than prescription statin drugs in reducing the levels of inflammation biomarkers such as CRP. The Institute of Medicine states that the daily recommended intake for vitamin C for adults is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men.