Anti inflammatory diet, foods, supplements, herbs, substances as alternatives to medic...

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Anti-inflammatory diet, foods, supplements, herbs and natural substances as

alternatives to medications by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
The term anti inflammatory refers to something that reduces, or is against,
inflammation.
Anti inflammatory diet and food
A diet that reduces inflammation consists mostly of vegetables and fish. Vegetables
and fruits have polyphenols. Vegetables are better antiinflammatory foods since they
have much less sugar than fruits. In my opinion, the foods that cause the least
inflammation and are the most anti-inflammatory are fish such as halibut and
salmon, and all kinds of vegetables. Foods that cause inflammation are sugar,
simple carbohydrates, and certain fatty acids and oils. To reduce inflammation avoid
junk foods such as donuts, pastry, and sugared drinks.
Anti-inflammatory action of polyphenols
There is persuasive epidemiological and experimental evidence that dietary
polyphenols have anti-inflammatory activity. Aspirin and other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have long been used to combat inflammation.
Recently, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been developed and recommended
for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, two COX
inhibitors have been withdrawn from the market due to unexpected side effects.
Because conventional therapeutic and surgical approaches have not been able to
fully control the incidence and outcome of many inflammatory diseases, there is an
urgent need to find safer compounds and to develop mechanism-based approaches
for the management of these diseases. Polyphenols are found in many dietary plant
products, including fruits, vegetables, beverages, herbs, and spices. Several of these
compounds have been found to inhibit the inflammation process as well as
tumorigenesis in experimental animals; they can also exhibit potent biological
properties. In addition, epidemiological studies have indicated that populations who
consume foods rich in specific polyphenols have lower incidences of inflammatory
disease. This paper provides an overview of the research approaches that can be
used to unravel the biology and health effects of polyphenols. Polyphenols have
diverse biological effects, however, this review will focus on some of the pivotal
molecular targets that directly affect the inflammation process.
Natural anti inflammatory herbs, supplements - herbal anti inflammatory products
There are countless herbs and natural supplements that have antiinflammatory
properties. I have listed only a few here.
Curcumin spice could act as an anti-inflammatory supplement.
CMO stands for cetyl myristoleate
Fish oils can help shift prostaglandins to less inflammatory types.
Frankincense is an herb that has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Silymarin is a derivative from the Milk thistle plant that has been used for centuries
to treat liver ailments.
Vitamin C and flavonoids have antiinflammatory effects and is associated with
improved endothelial function.
Catuaba from the amazon
Serrapeptase
Zyflamend
Anti inflammatory drug - anti inflammatory medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) are used to relieve some
symptoms caused by arthritis (rheumatism), such as inflammation, swelling,

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stiffness, and joint pain. Many types of over the counter anti inflammatory medicines
are available including ibuprofen and aspirin. Powerful medicines that have anti
inflamatory properties are the anti inflammatory steroids such as cortisol.
Antiinflammatory Drugs and Erectile Dysfunction
Surprisingly, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
also cause erectile dysfunction. Regardless of the reason for taking them, painkillers
classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) apparently increase the
likelihood that middle-aged and elderly men will develop erection difficulties. A study
involved 1126 men, between 50 and 70 years of age, without erectile dysfunction in
1994 when they completed a questionnaire that included, among other things,
questions about erectile function and medication usage. The questionnaire was then
re-administered five years later. The investigators found that the erectile dysfunction
rate was 93 cases per 1000 persons per year among Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs users compared with just 35 cases among nonusers.
Anti inflammatory drug - anti inflammatory meds for Tendon Injuries
Anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen may not be effective in
many cases of tendon injury. Pain relievers known collectively as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are often used to treat sore muscles and joints
because the body's inflammatory reaction to injury contributes to pain. However,
there is no reason to believe that NSAIDs heal tendon injuries known as
tendinopathy. Tendinopathy is a general term for disorders of the tendons, bands of
fibrous tissue that connect muscle to bone. The Achilles tendon, tendons in the
shoulder and the patellar tendon in the kneecap are commonly affected areas. While
the initial injury that leads to these tendon problems may involve inflammation in the
first several days, there is no evidence of ongoing inflammation in chronic
tendinopathy. Nor is there evidence that NSAIDs are an effective therapy after the
acute injury is over. In the absence of an overt inflammatory process, there is no
reason to use of NSAIDs in chronic tendinopathy. NSAIDs may bring some pain relief
from tendinopathy, they may, in the long run, hinder the healing process. Lab
research suggests, that while NSAIDs decrease certain inflammatory chemicals, they
may increase the production of substances called leukotrienes that could actually
further damage the tendon. Doctors also often use injections of cortisone, an antiinflammatory drug. But cortisone has the same issues as NSAIDs, and there is
evidence that the injections can make tendons more vulnerable to rupture. Source:
Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, January/February 2006.
Antiinflammatory Drugs after surgery
Experiments in rats show that the antiinflammatory painkillers celecoxib (brand
name, Celebrex) and indomethacin, given after repair of a rotator cuff injury, impair
the healing process. Both painkillers belong to the class known as non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, and recent lab studies have shown that NSAIDs
interfere with ligament healing. Researchers investigated the effect of NSAIDs on
bone-to-tendon healing. Rotator cuff repairs were done in 180 rats. Sixty animals
were then given the non-selective antiinflammatory NSAID indomethacin for 14 days,
60 were given the selective antiinflammatory NSAID celecoxib (a so-called COX-2
inhibitor) for 14 days, and 60 were given neither antiinflammatory drug. Five tendons
failed to heal -- four in the indomethacin group and one in the celecoxib group.
Significantly fewer tendons in the two NSAID groups than in the control group were
able bear weight normally. Even though NSAID treatment was given for only 14 days
after surgery, apparently this was enough time to interfere with healing. American
Journal of Sports Medicine, March 2006.

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FDA approves medicine for rare conditions

March 2008 - FDA has approved Arcalyst, a drug to help ease the symptoms of
certain rare chronic inflammatory diseases. The drug is approved for the long-term
treatment of two very rare disorders: familial cold auto-inflammatory syndrome and
Muckle-Wells syndrome. These disorders affect about 300 people in the United
States.
Topical Herbal Antiinflammatory substances
Topical anti-inflammatory activity of some Asian medicinal plants used in
dermatological disorders.
Fitoterapia. 2001 Mar;72(3):221-9.
Departament de Farmacologia, Universitat de Valencia, Avda. Vicent Andres Estelles,
s/n.Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
The topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Cassia angustifolia, Rheum
palmatum, Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron amurense and Scutellaria baicalensis,
plants used in traditional East Asian medicine against different skin disorders, was
studied. Though in different degree, all the extracts significantly inhibited the edema
induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in both single or multiple
application, oxazolone, and arachidonic acid (AA). None of the extracts inhibited in
vitro the activity of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from Naja naja.
Anti inflammatory supplement questions
Q. Does MSM cream work as an anti inflammatory cream?
A.IhavenotseenstudiesevaluatingMSMasananti-inflammatory cream.

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12/19/2009