
The inflammatory response is a complex cascade of biochemical reactions that recognizes and responds to sites of injury. Inflammation can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, the most common of which include abrasion, chemical irritation and pathogen infection. Each of these stimuli injures the surrounding tissue in some way, leading to local tissue necrosis soon after the original injury. These tissue changes stimulate surrounding mast cells to release a variety of chemicals, including histamine, heparin and prostaglandins, all of which trigger an acute inflammatory response marked by increased blood flow, vessel permeability, white blood cell recruitment, and pain.
The inflammatory response can be classified into two categories:
Acute inflammation is a localized protective response that helps to restore homeostasis and the normal function of tissue following injury. Hallmark symptoms of acute inflammation include swelling, pain, heat and redness.
Chronic inflammation occurs when the body has persistent, systemic inflammation, causing the body to damage its own healthy tissue rather than repair it. Chronic inflammation is usually the result of an underlying condition and it is under these circumstances that inflammation becomes a medical concern. Chronic inflammation is especially a concern among the elderly population, as tissue repair and maintenance throughout the body declines due to various hormonal changes that come with age.
Chronic Inflammatory disorders:
• Crohn’s disease
• Asthma
• Celiac disease
• Dermatitis
• Diverticulitis
• Gout
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Parkinson’s disease
• Sarcoidosi
SUPPLEMENT
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 mg
Riboflavin-5-Phosphate USP (Vitamin B2) . . . . . . . 50 mg
Niacin (Niacinamide) (Vitamin B3) . . . . . . . . . . . ..150 mg
Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (Vitamin B6) . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 mg
Biotin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 mcg
Methylcobolamin (Vitamin B12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 mcg
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 mg
Methylfolate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 mcg
Choline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 mg
Inositol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 mg
Mixed Tocopherols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 IU
Turmeric Root. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 mg
Fish Oil (EPA 360: DHA 240 per 1000mg). . . . . . 2000 mg
Bromelain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 mg
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 mg
Vitamin K2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 mcg
L-Cysteine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 mg
Chondroitin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800 mg
Quercetin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 mg
Glucosamine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750 mg
References:
(1) Balch, PA. 2006. Prescription for Nutritional Healing Fifth Edition. Avery, New York. 517-519.
(2) Jiang. Q. 2014. Natural forms of Vitamin E: Metabolism, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and the role in disease prevention and therapy. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. April 3 [epub ahead of print]
(3) Mangge, H, Summers, K, Almer, G, Prassl, R, Weghuber D, Schnedl, W, Fuchs, D. 2013. Antioxidant food supplements and obesity-related inflammation. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 20 (18), 2330-7.
(4) Muller, S, Marz, R, Schmolz, M, Drewelow, B, Exchmann, K, Meiser, P. 2013. Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial on the immunodulating activities of low- and high-dose bromelain after oral administration – new evidence on the anti-inflammatory mode of action of bromelain. Phytotherapy Research. Feb 27(2): 199-204
(5) Poursharfi, P, Rezvani, R, Gupta, Z, Lapointe, M, Marceau, P, Schernof, A, Cianflone, K. 2014. Mediators of Inflammation, 13921.
(6) Wartian Smith, P. 2008. What you must know about vitamins, minerals, herbs & more. Square One Publishers, Garden City Park, NY. 294-295.
NUTRITION AND INFLAMMATION
There is an abundance of research highlighting the positive effect of good nutrition on inflammation. Anti-inflammatory diets, combined with a healthy lifestyle and regular intake of nutritional supplements, have proven to keep inflammation under control as well as reduce the painful side effects inflammation can cause. A few general nutrition guidelines are as follows:
• Foods high in sugar and saturated fat have been shown to spur inflammation. Reducing excess sugar, sodium, and saturated fats is recommended.
• Avoid white, processed foods. Whole grain products not only have significantly higher amounts of fiber but also help reduce levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.
• Diets rich in raw foods and cruciferous (cabbage-family) vegetables like kale and broccoli help reduce inflammation.
• Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and useful for reducing inflammation. Spinach and blueberries are excellent dietary sources of flavonoids.
• Consume pineapple and fresh papaya. Pineapple is a good source of bromelain while papaya is rich in papain, both of which are enzymes that reduce swelling and inflammation.
• Cold-water fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines are rich sources of essential fatty acids that have been shown to reduce inflammation. It is recommended to consume these fish twice a week.
• Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammation and are abundantly present in extra virgin olive oil, walnuts, cashews and avocadoes
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION
The supplements shown in the above protocol are a general recommendation for the treatment and/or prevention of the aforementioned condition. The CustomVite team can incorporate this protocol, along with the requirements identified by the Lifestyle and Medical History Questionnaire and current laboratory analysis, to provide a broad spectrum of support for an individual’s nutritional needs. By using the CustomVite program, our team of nutritionists, along with physician consultation, can add, remove or customize each supplement according to a patient’s unique nutritional requirements. This recommendation does not take into account drug/nutrient interactions. This information will be determined on an individual basis from the Lifestyle and Medical History Questionnaire, where a patient’s current prescriptions and supplements will be analyzed for potential interactions and/or depletions.