Anti-inflammatory supplements for a better quality of life

You probably associate inflammation with a fever or an injury. But did you know that poor diet choices and lifestyle habits can also lead to inflammation? Since there are several causes and symptoms of inflammation, we decided to dedicate this post to anti-inflammatory supplements.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is the immune system’s response to an irritant such as germs, pollen or any other foreign object (1). An immune response may involve many different immune system cells. These cells release various substances including histamine.

As inflammatory mediators, histamines then cause the small blood vessels in the infected tissue to become wider. Through this, more blood reaches the injured tissue. The increased blood flow causes the inflamed area to turn red and feel hot.

Inflammatory mediators also have a protective function; they irritate our nerves to send pain signals to the brain. We then tend to protect the affected part of the body.

The inflammatory mediators have yet another function; They make it easier for immune system cells to pass out of the small blood vessels. The more immune cells that can enter the affected tissue, the faster the healing process.

The immune system cells in turn, cause more fluid to enter the inflamed tissue. This is why the site of inflammation often swells up. The extra fluid can also help to quickly flush the germs out of the body (1).

So, is inflammation a good thing or a bad thing?

An inflammatory response can be good or bad.

The normal short-term immune response to trauma, illness or stress helps the body stay healthy. This is known as acute inflammation.

However, in some diseases, the immune system fights against the body’s own cells by mistake. Known as auto-immunity, this can cause harmful, long-term inflammation (1). This is known as chronic inflammation.

Common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases.

The relationship between supplementation and inflammation

Some types of chronic inflammation can be caused by poor diet choices and lifestyle habits like inadequate sleep, smoking, and lack of physical activity (2). In such a case, supplementation along with exercise and/or stress management can greatly help relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Curcumin: The best natural supplement for arthritis

We have dedicated an entire blog post to this “the most powerful spice of all” for good reason. Used in traditional Eastern cooking, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, curcumin is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities (3).

In a clinical study of 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, all the inflammation markers were significantly improved in the groups receiving curcumin (3). Its benefit was also proven in a study of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Why is PlantaCorp’s liposomal curcumin recommended?

Curcumin makes up 77% of the curcuminoids (4). However, as we outlined in our article on curcumin, curcuminoids comprise only about 2 % -9 % of turmeric powder. Therefore, just eating turmeric will not provide you with the health benefits of curcumin.

Since PlantaCorp’s curcumin formulations contain at least 90% curcuminoids, you get the maximum benefit of curcumin. Further, our unique liposomal encapsulation technology makes curcumin 47-times more bioavailable than a non-liposomal supplement.

A comparative graph showing the superior bioavailability of PlantaCorp's liposomal curcumin supplement compared to a non-liposomal form — *A comparative graph showing the superior bioavailability of PlantaCorp’s liposomal curcumin supplement compared to a non-liposomal form*

Market trend for curcumin supplements

The total global curcumin market is estimated at more than USD 100 million in 2023 (5). Of this, the nutraceuticals market will form more than 50% of the volume and revenue share.

Talk to us today to add liposomal curcumin to your supplement portfolio.

MSM: The supplement for joint pain

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a powerful natural compound with antiinflammatory benefits. Its potent anti-inflammatory properties have been proven to help reduce pain and inflammation in the body (6). This makes it an ideal supplement for athletes and people with joint pain or arthritis.

Individuals with other inflammatory conditions such as acute allergic inflammation and seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis) may also benefit from supplementation.

You can read more about MSM in our article on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter for monthly ingredient highlights.

Why liposomal MSM supplementation?

Innovation pertaining to highly bioavailable forms of anti-inflammatory nutrients are driving the bone and joint health market (7). You can read here to find out why liquid liposomal supplements provide one of the highest bioavailabilities as compared to other oral supplementation forms. This is true of MSM as well.

Market trend for MSM supplements

With an increase in the global ageing population, the prevalence of arthritis and other bone and joint conditions is increasing as well (7). A growth opportunity is identified with natural and clinically-backed ingredients (7). Since MSM is one such clinically-backed ingredient, you can book a meeting with one of our Business Development officers to discuss more about liposomal MSM formulations.

Book a meeting

Glutathione: Reduces the symptoms of inflammation

Found ubiquitously in almost all living plant and animal cells, the role of glutathione in detoxification and antioxidation is extremely important (8, 9).

Low levels of glutathione have been associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis (10).

Since the process of inflammation involves the generation of free radicals, a potent antioxidant like glutathione can greatly help reduce its symptoms (8).

Why liposomal glutathione supplementation?

Several scientific studies have demonstrated the positive effects of liposomal glutathione supplementation (8, 11). These include elevated cellular glutathione levels and reductions in oxidative stress biomarkers without any toxicity.

Bioavailability studies with our own liquid liposomal glutathione formulation have indicated that plasma glutathione levels increased by almost 64-times as compared to a non-liposomal formulation.

*A comparative graph showing the superior bioavailability of PlantaCorp’s liposomal glutathione supplement compared to a non-liposomal form*

Market trend for glutathione supplements

The reduced glutathione segment accounted for around USD 66 million in 2020 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 6% between 2021 and 2028 (12).

Would you like to know more? Contact us.

L-carnitine: Systemic anti-inflammatory supplement

Carnitine is an amino-acid derivative that helps reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death (13).

L-carnitine supplementation has been scientifically proven to be beneficial in the treatment of the inflammation of the heart (13), intestine (14), kidney disease and whole-body inflammation (15).

When do I need carnitine supplementation?

Since carnitine is mainly found in animal products, vegetarians and vegans can specifically benefit from carnitine supplementation. A carnitine deficiency may also occur due to aging, some forms of cancer, heart disease and male infertility (16).

Which form of carnitine supplementation is best?

The L-form of carnitine is the most common recommended supplement form because it is the biologically active, natural form (17).

In our blog post on supplements for men’s health, we explained why liposomal L-carnitine is superior to any other form of supplementation. The benefits include a higher bioavailability and improved effects compared to non-liposomal forms (18).

Market trend for L-carnitine supplements

The global L-carnitine market size was valued at USD 190 million in 2020 (19). 35% of the market share belonged to healthcare products. North America was the largest regional market for L-carnitine in 2020.

Contact us today to find out how you can partake in the global L-carnitine market that is expected to be valued at USD 280.5 million by 2030.

Vitamin C: Reduces inflammation in special populations

Amongst its many health-supportive benefits, vitamin C also plays an important role in the normal functioning of the immune system. Particularly, it has been identified to resolve inflammation efficiently (20). This is with respect to inflammation related to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and heavy physical stress such as during daily high-intensity training.

The oral supplementation of vitamin C may also reduce inflammation or the progression of inflammation-mediated diseases in those with pre-existing conditions such as obesity and type2 diabetes (20).

Why liposomal vitamin C supplementation?

It is undeniable that an optimal nutritional status effectively reduces inflammation and improves the regulation of the immune system (20). This is because not only does a vitamin C deficiency result in impaired immunity, but the demands of inflammation due to infection also significantly impact vitamin C levels (21).

A highly bioavailable form of vitamin C would, thus, greatly help balance the demand-and-supply for vitamin C by the immune system. For example, our liquid liposomal vitamin C formulation was found to be 12.17-times more bioavailable than a non-liposomal supplement of the same dosage (1 000mg).

Want to know more? Read our blog post on this.

You can read specifically about supplement suggestions against spring allergies in a previous blog post.

7 spring allergy supplements for you

Key takeaways

Inflammation is the immune system’s response to an irritant or foreign object.
Inflammation due to a short-term immune response to trauma, illness or stress helps the body stay healthy. Long-term inflammation due to autoimmunity, stress or poor lifestyle choices can be harmful.
Supplementation along with exercise and/or stress management can greatly help relieve chronic inflammation.
Liposomal curcumin is highly beneficial for those dealing with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
MSM is an attractive adjunctive treatment to reduce pain and inflammation in the body. It is especially recommended to treat joint pain in athletes and rheumatoid arthritis.
A potent antioxidant like glutathione, in the liposomal form, can greatly help reduce the symptoms associated with inflammation.
L-carnitine supplementation has been scientifically proven to be beneficial in the treatment of the inflammation of the heart, intestine, kidneys and whole-body inflammation.
Vitamin C supplementation balances the need for sufficient vitamin C status to improve immunity and the loss of vitamin C due to the metabolic demands of infection and inflammation.