Inflammation

Inflammation is a process in which the body’s white blood cells and chemicals can protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.

In some diseases, however, the body’s defense system (immune system) inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.

What Causes Inflammation?

Inflammation is caused by anything that can activate the immune system. It can be caused by a bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, or by environmental or food allergies.

Bacterial and fungal infections are readily treated by antibiotics, and viral infections generally resolve on their own. Food allergies are the most under-rated cause of inflammation and congestion, and frequently exacerbate known environmental allergies.

What are the symptoms of inflammation?

Inflammation is characterized by:

• Redness
• Swollen joint that’s warm to touch
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Loss of joint function

Inflammation may also be associated with general “flu”-like symptoms including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle stiffness

Dietary supplements that help control Inflammation

Green lipped mussel inhibits inflammation in the body. Although inflammation is normal under certain conditions, consistent or excessive inflammation can result in pain and damage to the body, including the joints. The human body makes several chemical mediators of inflammation. Levels of these chemicals in the body may be higher in people with RA who are experiencing symptoms than in symptom-free people with arthritis.

Shark Liver Oil: is a natural product that has great success with arthritis because it contains different substances that combat arthritis. It boosts the immune system with alkylglycerols, it has squalene in it which is an antioxidant, it contains vitamin E and omega 3 oils and combats Leaky Gut Syndrome which is at the bottom of so many cases of arthritis.

Specifically, shark liver oil may help to:

Fight infections and inflammations and heal wounds. Enthusiasts claim that by boosting the immune system, shark liver oil may protect against as well as speed the healing of colds, flu, and various minor skin infections. These types of uses were certainly common in old fishing communities familiar with sharks. Alkylglycerol-rich bone marrow soup, for example, is an old-time home remedy used to ward off colds.

The liver oil also has been proposed as an immune-modulating remedy to ease asthma, arthritis, and the skin inflammations of psoriasis. Whether it is truly effective for any of these conditions remains to be proven, but for the minor ailments at least, it likely poses little risk and could possibly help.

Bee Propolis has a very long history as a medicine for humans. It is reported to have treated colds and sore throats, stomach ulcers, burns, haemorrhoids and joint and muscle inflammation. Although propolis is considered by many as "folk medicine", its use has been revived. 

Colostrum made from the best quality New Zealand bovine colostrum. it helps support the immune function and growth factors and provides positive effects for health and well being. Colostrum contains Interlukin-10, it reduces inflammation in arthritic, injured or infected areas.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fats, one of four basic types of fat that the body derives from food. (Cholesterol, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fat are the others.) All polyunsaturated fats, including the omega-3s, are increasingly recognized as important to human health.

In particular, omega-3s in fish oil or other forms may help to:

Improve rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud's disease, and other autoimmune diseases. Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish oils) have been shown to increase survival in people with autoimmune diseases. This is probably because the omega-3s help the arteries--as well as many other parts of the body--stay inflammation free. EPA and DHA are successful at this because they can be converted into natural anti-inflammatory substances called prostaglandins and leukotrienes, compounds that help decrease inflammation and pain.