Wellness
Boost your wellness game.
Inflammation is kind of a big deal. It’s one of the main drivers of disease and it also plays a role in how you feel day to day. That’s why so many dietitians recommend that people take supplements for inflammation.
The thing is, inflammation isn’t all bad. In fact, it’s one of those things that’s good for you in small doses. “Inflammation is the body’s normal defense against infection or injury,” says registered dietician Mia Syn, MS, RDN. “The right kind of inflammation is essential for healing, repairing, and keeping the body healthy.” It’s only when inflammation becomes chronic or ongoing that it becomes detrimental.
Inflammation starts to add up if you smoke, drink a lot, exercise too much, exercise too little, or if you’re in a constant state of stress, says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, a nutrition expert and author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen. That’s when you might start to notice signs of inflammation like fatigue, depression, swelling, or ongoing aches and pains.
According to Syn, inflammation can start to wear your body down and make you more susceptible to issues like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, and inflammatory bowel disease, among other things. The best way to combat inflammation is by taking good care of yourself — as in eating lots of nutrient-dense foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly (not too much or too little). Beyond that, a supplement can help fill in nutrition gaps, provide support, and give you an extra boost.
Here, experts share the best supplements for inflammation that can help boost your wellness game.
Studies referenced:
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Calcaterra, V. (2022). Use of Physical Activity and Exercise to Reduce Inflammation in Children and Adolescents with Obesity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116908.
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Ranard, KM. (2017). Dietary guidance for lutein: consideration for intake recommendations is scientifically supported. Eur J Nutr. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1580-2.
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Santocono, M. (2007). Lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin protect against DNA damage in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells induced by reactive nitrogen species. J Photochem Photobiol B. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2007.04.007.
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Sources:
Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert, author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen
Mia Syn, MS, RDN, registered dietician
Madeline Alfiero, RD, licensed registered dietitian, owner of the private practice Osea Nutrition PLLC
Sarah Whipkey, RDN, LD, registered licensed dietician, owner of The Plant Potential
Kayley Myers, MS, RDN, registered dietitian
Dr. Fred Pescatore, natural health physician
Kiran Campbell, RD, registered dietician