Summary Quercetin is known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. An Iranian study investigated the effects of quercetin supplementation on inflammation and oxidative stress in amateur athletes. 60 participants were involved, which were divided into 4 subgroups of each 15 participants. In the course of 8 weeks, one subgroup received quercetin and vitamin C, one…
Summary An increasing number of scientific studies show that natural supplements significantly improve immune function. Supplements have gained importance due to their minimal side effects, low costs, and abundance. More than 7000 articles reported about the various positive aspects of curcumin, including, among others, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, curcumin could be a therapeutic…
Summary Curcumin has shown significant regulating effects on immune cells and, thereby, beneficial effects in modulating the immune system, which is involved in inflammations and other chronic diseases. There is a lower incidence of chronic diseases in people from countries where curcumin is consumed. This is due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have…
Summary According to several studies, omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on inflammatory processes in the whole body. This is because omega-3 fatty acids inhibit several factors inducing inflammations. Animal studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in treating inflammatory diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and asthma. More details can be…
Summary This study was conducted in 196 premature infants on alternate days during a period of 28 days. 98 infants received 10000 IU vitamin A, and 98 received a placebo supplement. This study showed that through supplementation of vitamin A the all-cause death rate and oxygen requirements decreased in this vulnerable group of patients. Further…
Summary 40 patients were involved in this study. 20 patients received 100 mg coenzyme Q10 twice a day in combination with a standard sepsis therapy. The other 20 patients received only the standard sepsis therapy. This study showed decreased inflammation markers and a lower death rate in the test group if the micronutrient supplementation was…
Summary This review examined current evidence for the benefit of a dietary supplementation with zinc and other micronutrients in preventing micronutrient deficiencies which result from the conventional treatment of gastrointestinal inflammation. The collected studies showed that micronutrient supplementation can reduce inflammation in patients with gastrointestinal inflammation, boost their immune system and decrease drug side effects…
Summary In this review, recent findings regarding zinc supplementation in various diseases were presented. In particular, it was shown that zinc supplementation was effective in decreasing markers of inflammation, such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in elderly individuals and in patients with sickle cell disease-SCD (red blood cells disorder). In conclusion it was stated that zinc…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of zinc supplementation on inflammation in sickle-cell disease (SCD), a disorder of red blood cells. 36 SCD patients were given either 25 mg zinc three times a day for 3 months or a placebo. Zinc-supplemented patients showed a significant decrease in inflammation. These results suggested that zinc supplementation reduced…
Summary Aging is known to be associated with inflammation on the one hand and zinc deficiency on the other. This study therefore investigated whether zinc supplementation reduces inflammation in the elderly. 19 healthy elderly people participated in the study. The results showed that zinc supplementation reduced inflammation and, in contrast to other anti-inflammatory drugs, boosted…
Summary The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a multi-nutrient supplement on inflammation. 31 healthy and active people were included who completed one 28 day cycle of placebo and one 28 day cycle of multi-nutrient supplementation. The researchers discovered that the multi-nutrient supplement was effective in improving inflammation in both men…
Summary The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of quercetin on inflammation induced by Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that causes infection in the stomach. 60 days after oral infection with H. pylori guinea pigs received 200 mg/kg of quercetin daily for 15 days. The results showed that quercetin administration decreased…
Summary The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin C, consumption of fruit and vegetables and the risk of developing inflammatory polyarthritis (inflammation of several joints, IP). Men and women aged 45–74 years were recruited in the study. The researchers discovered that lower intakes of vitamin C, fruit and vegetables were…
Summary The present study investigated the relationship between vitamin C intake and the risk of gout. Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. 46,994 participants with no history of gout were included in the study. Vitamin C intake was assessed every 4 years through questionnaires. The results showed that higher vitamin C intakes…
Summary This study investigated the relationship between vitamin K intake and inflammation. The experiments were performed in rats with inflammation. The animals were either fed a vitamin K deficient diet or a diet supplemented with vitamin K. According to the researchers, the present study indicated that the supplementation with vitamin K suppresses inflammation. More details…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin D levels and leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a predictor of the inflammatory status. Vitamin D concentrations were measured in 2160 women and LTL was analyzed by a specific laboratory technique. The results showed that higher vitamin D concentrations were associated with reduced inflammation. Further details can be…
Summary This study tested the hypothesis that vitamin E administration attenuates inflammatory factors (e.g. interleukins IL-6 and IL-1beta) in skeletal and cardiac muscles. The experiments were performed using mice. The researchers found that short-term vitamin E administration reduced inflammation by decreasing IL-6 and IL-1beta levels. Further details can be found in the study. References K…
Summary The aim of the present study was to examine the association between vitamin B6 status and inflammation. For this purpose, a human trial was performed together with experiments in an animal (rat) model of inflammation. The researchers found that inflammation was responsible for the depletion of vitamin B6 in animal and human tissues. Further…
Summary The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of antioxidant supplementation (vitamin C plus vitamin E) on inflammatory values after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Men undergoing ACL surgery were given either vitamin C plus vitamin E or a placebo. The researchers concluded that antioxidant supplementation attenuated the increase in inflammatory values…
Summary This article analyzed the anti-inflammatory properties of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). ECGC is a catechin (natural compound) found in the green tea. The experiments showed that ECGC repressed free radicals and inhibited the inflammation development mediated by the white blood cells (neutrophils). The researchers concluded that ECGC is a potent anti-inflammatory compound with therapeutic potential. Further…
Summary According to research, dietary omega-3 fatty acids have a variety of anti-inflammatory effects that may play a role in atherosclerosis. This review analyzed studies on the relation among omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), inflammation and atherosclerosis. A variety of biologic effects of EPA and DHA have been demonstrated in…
Summary This review evaluated studies on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases (diseases that occur when the body is attacked by the immune system). Animal experiments and human studies indicate that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, can be useful in the management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.…
Summary This study examined the ability of green tea catechins (antioxidant natural compounds, GTC) to protect human skin against erythema (reddening of the skin due to inflammatory processes) induced by UV radiation (UVR). 16 healthy people were given low-dose GTC (540 mg) with vitamin C (50 mg) daily for 12 weeks. Subsequently, the participants were…
Summary This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin. In animal models, quercetin treatment was found to reduce the protein HMGB1, a pro-inflammatory factor stimulated during endotoxemia (presence of bacterial toxins in the blood). The results showed that quercetin attenuates inflammation caused by endotoxemia. Further details can be found in the study. References Daolin Tang, Rui…
Summary The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and inflammatory markers (parameters that indicate the severity of inflammation), including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). 69 healthy women aged 25–82 years were involved in the study. The results revealed that higher vitamin D levels were associated with reduced TNF-α concentrations. Therefore,…
Summary This study evaluated the association between vitamin C levels and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a severe atherosclerotic condition frequently accompanied by inflammation. Vitamin C levels were analyzed in 85 PAD patients, 106 hypertensive (high blood pressure) patients without PAD and 113 healthy individuals. C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (marker for inflammation) were also…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of zinc supplementation on inflammation in kidney dialysis (hemodialysis) patients. Hemodialysis is the most common method used to treat kidney failure and is associated with increased inflammation. In the study, 55 hemodialysis patients were given zinc or placebo for 42 days. The results showed that zinc supplementation decreased inflammation…
Summary This study analyzed the relationship between vitamin E deficiency and lung injury that is accompanied by increased inflammation. The experiments in this study were performed with vitamin E-deficient mice and wild-type mice without vitamin E deficiency. The results indicated that compared to wild-type mice, vitamin E deficient mice had more severe lung damage. The…
Summary This study analyzed the anti-inflammatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC). The study was conducted with human cells. After treatment with EGCG, the initial step in vascular inflammation (endothelial exocytosis) was measured in these cells. The resulting data indicated that ECGC decreased vascular inflammation by increasing nitric oxide (NO), a compound involved in blood vessel…
Summary The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of curcumin on pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). IL-1beta and TNF-alpha play a key role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA).The effects of curcumin were studied in human cells treated with IL-1beta and TNF-alpha for up to 72h.…
Summary The present study was conducted by the Dr. Rath Research Institute in California, USA. It investigated the effects of a micronutrient mixture against inflammation. The experiments were performed with human cells and mice and demonstrated an inhibitory effect of the micronutrients on various inflammatory mediators (cytokines, PGE2, COX2 and NfkB). The researchers thus concluded…
Summary According to research, vitamin C and E – given separately – improve insulin sensitivity, i.e. the body´s ability to respond to the action of the hormone insulin in decreasing blood sugars. This is due to their inhibitory effect on inflammation, which is a key factor in insulin sensitivity. Based on these findings, the present…
Summary This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of green tea. The study was performed with rats that were fed a pro-inflammatory (high-fructose) diet. The results suggested that drinking adequate amounts of green tea plays a role in the prevention of inflammation-related diseases. Further details can be found in the study. References Xiaojie…
Summary This review evaluated the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids against coronary heart disease. Earlier studies pointed out that low rates of coronary heart disease are found in indigenous people from Greenland and in Japanese people who commonly consume a diet rich in fish oil, which is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids.…
Summary This article provided a summary of the benefits of curcumin in osteoarthritis (OA). After evaluating recent scientific literature, it was found that curcumin can be considered as a complementary treatment for OA in humans. Further details can be found in the study. References Y Henrotin, A L Clutterbuck, D Allaway, E M Lodwig, P Harris, M Mathy-Hartert, M Shakibaei, A Mobasheri…
Summary This study analyzed the effects of vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on inflammation. Inflammation is associated with abnormalities in blood vessels. It can be induced by a high-fat diet and is associated with cardiovascular diseases. The experiments were performed with 21 baboons which were fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. The…
Summary This study evaluated the potential of curcumin in the treatment of tendinitis. Human cells were used to investigate the mechanism of curcumin action on the pro-inflammatory compound interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). The results demonstrated a potential benefit of curcumin in treating tendon inflammation through suppression of pro-inflammatory factors. Further details can be found in the study.…
Summary This review collected studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found primarily in fish oil. Animal and human studies have shown that dietary fish oil consumption suppresses pro-inflammatory factors and is beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Further details can be found in the study. References Philip C Calder …
Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on colitis (inflammation of the colon). 6-week-old mice were randomly assigned to two dietary groups: one receiving a standard diet and the other one a diet enriched with resveratrol. After 30 days acute colitis was artificially induced. The results showed that the…
Summary The present study evaluated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on smoking-related inflammation. A total of 10 smokers and 11 non-smokers were given 60 mg/day of vitamin C for four weeks. The researchers concluded that the vitamin C supplementation was effective in fighting inflammation in smokers. Further details can be found in the study.…
Summary This study investigated whether a diet deficient in vitamin E is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disorder that attacks the joints and other body parts. The experiments were performed using mice. The results showed that dietary deficiency of vitamin E increased inflammation. Furthermore, antioxidant supplementation (vitamin E, quercetin) was…
Summary This review analyzed scientific studies on the impact of vitamin E on age-associated changes in inflammation. Among other things, the following was pointed out: The dysfunction of the cells, which occur in the elderly, leads to an impaired immune system and increased inflammation. Vitamin E can improve the cell function and reduce inflammation at…
Summary The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between zinc intake and inflammation in obese patients. Obesity is a condition associated with chronic inflammation. According to the study, individuals with low zinc levels showed signs of increased inflammation. The researchers concluded that zinc supplementation can reduce inflammation in obese patients. Further details…
Summary Diabetic persons have an increased propensity to atherosclerosis, which is a chronic inflammatory condition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on inflammation in diabetic patients and healthy people. The researchers found that vitamin E decreased inflammation in both groups. It was therefore concluded that vitamin…
Summary This study analyzed the effect of a combination of vitamin C, amino acids and green tea extract on gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). The experiments were performed using human cells. The researchers found that the tested micronutrient combination had a great potential in preventing and treating gingivitis. Further details can be found in the…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of an extract from Polygonum cuspidatum (PCE), commonly called Japanese knotweed, on inflammation. This plant is an important source of resveratrol. During the study, 20 normal-weight healthy individuals were given either a placebo or PCE containing 40 mg resveratrol daily for 6 weeks. The researchers found that the PCE…
Summary This study examined the effects of green tea polyphenols (natural compounds extracted from green tea, GTPs) on chronic inflammation-induced bone loss. 40 female rats were observed for 12 weeks. It was found that GTPs supplementation reduced bone mineral density loss. Based on this result, the researchers pointed out that green tea plays a potentially…
Summary Obesity is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fat (adipose) tissue and is associated with chronic inflammation. Against this background, the present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol in human fat tissue. The experiments were performed on human adipose tissue explants and highlighted the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol, thus suggesting health benefits for…
Summary This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D on gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) at various doses. Over a period of 3 months, vitamin D supplementation was given in doses of either 2000 IU, 1000 IU and 500 IU to one of three study groups (group A, B and C). An additional group…
Summary This review described the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of curcumin, its mode of action and its therapeutic usage against different diseases. The plant turmeric is a source of curcumin, which is commonly used as a spice and food-coloring agent. The review stated that curcumin modulates enzymes involved in inflammatory processes and exerts chemopreventive effects…