LifeCare Chiropractic

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inflammation

Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Serum beta-Carotene Levels – (08-20-01)

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Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Serum beta-Carotene Levels

This is an interesting article that shows that, as inflammation in the body rises, levels of beta-carotene fall. It is very possible that the levels fall as a result of trying to put out the metabolic fires that inflammation can cause. This adds more weight to the idea that, in nature, many substances are found and act together. Remember that beta-carotene is only one of hundreds of carotenoids, and these are all found in various combinations in nature. In may be that, as levels of one carotenoid drop with inflammation, other carotenoids help fill in the gap created.

Read entire article here

Effect of proinflammatory interleukins on jejunal nutrient transport – (08-21-00)

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Effect of proinflammatory interleukins on jejunal nutrient transport

This study indicates that, with systemic inflammation, more nutrients are absorbed. This would correspond well with the increased need for certain nutrients under times of stress. However, it would seem logical to extrapolate that, with prolonged inflammation, the intestines become too permeable and larger molecules can cross into the body that are not supposed to be there.

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Differential effects of prostaglandin derived from omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids – (02-24-03)

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Differential effects of prostaglandin derived from omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids on COX-2 expression and IL-6 secretion

The whole concept that diet can influence the level of systemic inflammation is not followed by many in mainstream medicine and is rarely recommended. However, this article is just one of many that support the concept of an anti-inflammatory diet (and conversely, the pro-inflammatory diet). Dietary fats are a key foundation to this approach, with higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils, olive oils, most nuts and seeds) over omega 6 fatty acids (corn oils, mass produced animal meats…).

PNAS — Abstracts: Bagga et al. 100 (4): 1751

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Tender points are not sites of ongoing inflammation – (02-24-03)

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Tender points are not sites of ongoing inflammation -in vivo evidence in patients with chronic tension-type headache

Wow!! What an insightful article!! There has been much debate currently about the use of “itis” when dealing with many musculoskeletal conditions (epicondylitis, tendonitis…). Many researchers now believe that many problems in tendons and muscles (including trigger points) are actually an avascular condition with no acute inflammation; referred to as an “osis” (i.e. tendonosis). That would mean that the gadzillions of NSAID scripts written for musculoskeletal conditions are just short of worthless. These same researchers believe that cortisone injections are not beneficial because of the cortisone, but rather because the needle itself induces injury and creates blood flow into the site of injury. I just returned from a seminar this weekend that strongly addresses the avascular nature of scar tissue/adhesion formations in musculoskeletal injuries.

Synergy Abstract

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The diet-induced proinflammatory state – (06-10-02)

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The diet-induced proinflammatory state

The full text of this article is probably one of the most comprehensive and well referenced that I have ever read on this topic. The idea that the diet can be pro or anti-inflammatory is lost on most clinicians, and yet the research strongly suggests this. Any patient with any chronic disease related to inflammation needs to evaluate their diet (considering that almost all chronic diseases have an inflammatory component, that means just about everybody…). I still remember a patient I had a year or so back with scleroderma. This patient came in with an oxygen tank due to the pulmonary fibrosis, used a walker and was always in intense pain. When I suggested that diet may have an impact on her condition, I may as well have suggested she jump off a cliff. None of her specialists had ever mentioned that diet could have an impact on her condition. Heck…what do I know?? I’m just one of those crazy chiropractors…

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Online

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Physical Activity and Inflammation in Middle-aged and Older US Adults – (06-24-02)

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Physical Activity and Inflammation in Middle-aged and Older US Adults

This study finds that exercise lowers overall levels of CRP, a marker of chronic inflammation. This is really not an unexpected result;moderate exercise is a key component to a natural approach to any disease process since most diseases have an inflammatory component.

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Inflammation Among Apparently Healthy Middle-aged and Older US Adults.

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Activation of the mucosal immune system in irritable bowel syndrome – (06-24-02)

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Activation of the mucosal immune system in irritable bowel syndrome

It has been difficult to find structural abnormalities in IBS and it is nice to see some research along these lines. IBS is primarily a functional disorder and I’m sure that the localized inflammation found in this study is a result of the altered function. Imbalance in pathogenic flora, improper digestion leading to putrefactive by products and yeast overgrowth have all shown to play a factor in IBS. Each of these by themselves could lead to a localized inflammatory response.

Gastroenterology Online

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Could Anti-Inflammatories Be THE Enemy? 3 Steps to Take

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This is certainly not the first time I’ve written about the hazards of using anti-inflammatories at the first sign of a twinge.  But this one is going to take it from a different viewpoint.

I think we could all agree that the process of inflammation is a natural one.  After all, why would the human physiology have a process in place that is useless?  It wouldn’t.  Inflammation serves several purposes.  One key purpose would be the prevention and management of infections.  Your immune system (the system responsible for the inflammatory response) gears up to fight off an invader, and, should that invader break through, it will gear up an attack on that invader, be it a virus, bacteria, yeast or even a tumor cell.  Another key purpose is the clearing out of damaged tissue and subsequent repair of the damaged region.

Each of these actions of the immune system needs balance and control:

  1. Too much protection against an invader and you get allergies and asthma.
  2. Too strong of a reaction against an invader and you could go into shock.
  3. Too strong of a response to an injury and undamaged tissue gets taken out in the process.

But these are all on the upswing of the inflammatory response and controlling this side of things is a good thing.  But can our society’s obsession with anti-inflammatories be affecting the natural history of this process?  You bet!

Consider inflammation as pushing a boulder uphill.  Once you get it over the top, the going’s easy from there.  Anti-inflammatories may, in the initial stages, make the hill smaller.  But the initial stages of inflammation are supposed to end–after a few days with an infection (hopefully) and within 24 hours with an injury (depending on severity of the injury).  We used to think that inflammation, once started, would resolve all on its own.  We now know this is not true.

The resolution of inflammation is not a passive process.  The body has to actively end inflammation.  And there are some critical factors needed for this process.

Namely, our old friends, DHA and EPA from fish oils.

Specifically, DHA and EPA are required to make a class of compounds referred to as Resolvins and Protectins (I know, but I didn’t come up with the creative names…).  If you’re a biochemistry nerd, you can read more about them in this particular review.

This begins to explain the many benefits we see from essential fatty acid supplementation on a long list of chronic disease.  More importantly, you can begin to lay out some “to do” things on your journey to control and resolve inflammation in your own body.  These include:

  1. Increasing your intake of healthy fats found in such foods as wild caught fish, olive oils, raw nuts, seeds and avocados.
  2. Decreasing your intake of less healthy fats found in hydrogenated oils and vegetable oils.
  3. Avoiding anti-inflammatories.  With the exception of aspirin, which may help the process, other anti-inflammatories actually slowed or stopped the ability of EPA and DHA to halt inflammation.
  4. If inflammation from an autioimmune disorder or chronic pain is a concern, consider supplementing UP TO 3 full grams of omega-3 / day (this does NOT mean 3 capsules per day).

So, next time you think about curbing inflammation with drugs, shift your thinking.  Think about how you are going to RESOLVE your inflammation instead.