Thursday, March 8, 2012

New Research Demonstrates Beneficial Anti-inflammatory Effects For Joint Health

New Research Demonstrates Beneficial Anti-inflammatory Effects For Joint Health

Nearly 116 million Americans suffer from chronic pain every day because of tissue inflammation, more than the number of people who suffer from heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined.

A number of factors are possible causes for chronic inflammation including allergies, food sensitivities, environmental toxins, physical or emotional stress, micro-flora imbalance in the digestive system, and many other diet and lifestyle factors.

According to research scientists, inflammation may lead to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases including: diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

The pain that inflammation produces can directly affect an individuals lifestyle, restrict their daily physical activity and the ability to work effectively, as well as affecting the emotional, social and economical makeup of an individual. Inflammation is now considered to be a critical public health concern. In response, a growing market for dietary supplements has developed.

Nutritional formulations that specifically contain nutrients that demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects and may be able to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by inflammation. Now, researchers are recommending Selenium supplementation as a nutritional approach to reducing inflammation and its effects.

Recent nutritional healthcare research has focused on the role of Selenium in improving inflammation and pain associated with the joints. Researchers observed that laboratory subjects fed Selenium supplements demonstrated significant reduction of inflammation in the knee cavity.

Those treated with the tested dose were also seen to have reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the Peri-articular tissue. Researchers concluded that treatment with Selenium was associated with the amelioration of inflammation in arthritic models and that the study called for further investigation in human trials.

Scientists observed that the Selenium-rich yeast strain effectively reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed superoxide radical (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO). All three (O2-, H2O2, NO) are pleiotropic inflammatory mediators which play a crucial role in inflammatory joint diseases. This mechanism may possibly explain how Selenium helps to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. Facts About Selenium Selenium is a mineral that possess potent nutritional antioxidant properties.

As an antioxidant, selenium plays a vital role in minimizing free radical activity and regulating healthy antioxidant balance in nearly all tissues. It is known to positively influence immune responses. Studies have shown that selenium boosts the immune system and protects the body against certain pathogens.

Selenium can be found naturally in some meats, seafood, nuts and in staple foods such as corn, wheat, and soybean.5 Research shows that 200 micrograms selenium yeast-based taken daily may considerably reduce the risk of developing prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer.

Decreasing Inflammation in the Joints While inflammation of the joints grows increasingly prevalent with the progression of age, it is not only relegated only to the elderly.

Not only do older people suffer from bone and joint health diseases, scientists have well-established the fact that thirty-five percent of peak bone mass is attained during puberty. Therefore the need for bone and joint health supplements is critical during all stages of life.

Considering that inflammation is believed to be a causative factor in many chronic diseases, joint health supplements may be beneficial to all age groups, not only seniors. Other well-established joint health and anti-inflammation ingredients include the use of Omega 3 Fatty Acids from fish oil.

In addition, Krill oil showed a reduction of an inflammation marker by 19.3 percent compared to an increase in the placebo group of 15.7 percent. After 14 and 30 days, a further decline in inflammation was seen by up to 30 percent. Resources: Relieving Pain in America, The Institute of Medicine, June 2011.

Treatment with Selemax, selenium-enriched yeast, ameliorates experimental arthritis in rats and mice, British Journal of Nutrition, Effect of yeast superoxide dismutase treatment on some mediators of inflammation during adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice, Z Naturforsch C. 2010 Jan-Feb The influence of selenium on immune responses, Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Nov; Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Selenium, National Institutes of Health, Effects of selenium supplementation for cancer prevention in patients with carcinoma of the skin.

A randomized controlled trial. (Journal of the American Med Assoc 1996;276:1957-63.)

This article is for informational and educational purposes only; It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor orhealthcare professional.

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