During this holiday season, many will overindulge and have too much of a good thing. Perhaps it’s that second helping of sweet potato pie or third glass of eggnog. Maybe it’s days with the children home from school or the extra time the mother-in-law can stay to help clean up after the holiday party. Whatever it is, many will just want that extra holiday cheer to be over; they will count the days until they get can back to normal.
Inflammation is a lot like holiday excesses. Sure, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is great, but not after watching “Jingle All the Way” and “Shrek the Halls.” Inflammation helps us stay healthy, but too much causes problems.
When it works, inflammation can be a body’s best friend. It is the body’s cellular and vascular response to injury and is essential for survival. Trauma to the body creates dead cells, and inflammation is there to help clear away the dead cells and pave the way for new ones. When damage occurs to the body via an impact or unknown pathogen, such as a bacteria or virus, histamine and cytokines are called to the wound. Cytokines are small signal-protein cells that are involved in the amplification and reduction of inflammatory reactions. Among these signals are tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), two highly potent pro-inflammatory molecules. Interleukins are a group of cytokines that are synthesized by lymphocytes, as well as through monocytes, macrophages and endothelial cells. Blood vessels also respond by developing leaks that allow other immune cells to invade the wounded area. Leukocytes take the lead to orchestrate the debris removal, proliferation, connective tissue synthesis and tissue removal. Macrophanges, neutrophils and lymphocytes attack any bacteria and damage cells with chemicals like nitric oxide (NO). As the pathogens are eliminated, healing begins with platelets, which form clots and close the wound. Then, the damage is repaired and cells wait for the next trauma. During the healing process, redness, swelling, stiffness and pain can occur; however, once inflammation finishes its job, the pain subsides and things go back to normal.
That is what it is like in a perfect world. However, sometimes the inflammation just can’t say no to a second helping. Inflammation can be triggered in response to a false signal, as in autoimmune diseases where the immune cells view certain components of the body’s own tissue as foreign invaders and tries to eliminate them. Sometimes, chronic infections can keep the immune system on high alert causing prolonged inflammation. In chronic inflammation, the synovial membrane (synovium), the soft tissue that lines the non-cartilaginous surfaces of the joints and secretes synovial fluid, can become irritated and may thicken by infiltration of macrophages and connective tissue producing fibroblasts.
Because inflammation is designed to keep all parts of the body healthy, it can become a problem in all parts of the body. Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) can cause shortness of breath or leg swelling; asthma is inflammation of the tubes that transport air to the lungs; colitis is inflammation of the large intestine and causes cramping and diarrhea. The list goes on. If left untreated, inflammation can cause heart attacks, stroke, cancer, premature aging and other health conditions.
And, a lot of the time, those who suffer from chronic inflammation don’t even know it. Because inflammation can affect organs that don’t have pain-sensitive nerves or the inflammation causes pain that is below an individual’s threshold of pain, it is often referred to as “silent inflammation.” This type is responsible for serious conditions, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer’s disease. Coronary heart disease, major depression, aging and cancer are characterized by an increased level of IL-1. Similarly, arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and lupus erythematosis are autoimmune diseases characterized by a high level of IL-1 and the proinflammatory leukotriene LTB(4).1
Silent inflammation can also be a problem for manufacturers of ingredients that address the condition. Consumers may not even know these ingredients can help them because they are unaware that they are facing a potentially life-threatening situation.
For consumers who are aware of their inflammation, they may turn to natural remedies because of their lack of side effects compared to the most-common over-the-counter (OTC) treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which provide rapid relief of pain and stiffness. However, many try to avoid NSAIDs because along with bringing toxic effects to the liver, bone marrow and other organs, NSAIDs don’t actually prevent joint damage or slow disease progression.
When consumers turn to natural ingredients, they may not even be looking for a health claim related to inflammation. Because the effects of the condition are so wide spread, consumers are likely to look for condition-specific supplements geared toward certain health concerns. For example, a man with arthritis will look for joint health products and a woman with colitis will head to the digestion section of her natural products store, even though they are both suffering from inflammation.
But, once those consumers turn to natural products, they will find many options. Inflammation-fighting ingredients can be found in functional foods, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, cereals, extracts, dairy products, bars and candies; but, capsules and tablets still seem to be the most popular delivery option.
