7 Minerals & Vitamins for the Healing Process of Inflammation

Pain, redness, swelling - these are typical signs of inflammation in the body. 

We have all had an inflammation at some time or another: ear infection, sore throat, bladder infection or skin inflammation. Almost every organ can be affected by an inflammation. 

But how does inflammation actually occur, how do we recognise inflammation, and above all, which vitamins and minerals are anti-inflammatory?

Read the article & learn more!

1. How does inflammation occur?

Inflammation follows the same pattern throughout the body. The inflammatory response is thebody's attempt to contain a danger, fight it off and then repair the damage. It is the body's very natural response to body reacts to pathogens, foreign body-induced skin injuries and to physical stimuli such as heat.

The inflammatory response is controlled by messenger substances that the body releases in the affected area. The effect of many painkillers is based on suppressing these messenger substances. Soon after the inflammation begins, after about 12-36 hours, messenger substances trigger the healing process. Within 3-4 days, a vascular, spongy connective tissue develops. This causes the swelling to gradually subside.

Parts of the defence system are responsible for recognising the different triggers. When they encounter a trigger, they release certain messenger substances that activate the immune system.

2. What are the signs of inflammation?

The best way to observe inflammation is to look at a wound. The affected area becomes red, swollen and painful. Inflammation is our immune system's reaction to injuries or germs entering the body. The inflammatory response is designed to help the body contain the danger, fight it off and then repair the damage.

There are five main signs of inflammation: 

• Redness
• Warmth
• Swelling
• Pain
• The affected part of the body no longer works properly

These signs can vary depending on the type of inflammation. With some inflammations, the swelling is most noticeable because a lot of blood fluid enters the affected tissue. 

 

3. What are the triggers of inflammation?

There are various triggers for inflammation. These include:

• Bacteria, fungi or viruses
• Foreign bodies, e.g. splinters or inhaled substances, e.g. pollen
• Wounds
• Chemical or physical triggers, e.g. acid, UV radiation, heat, cold
• Internal causes, e.g. too much uric acid in gout, fatty deposits in the blood vessels or autoimmune diseases.

 

4. Which vitamins & minerals have an anti-inflammatory effect?

Diet can play a crucial role in the fight against inflammation. But just as you can inhibit inflammation with the help of certain foods, there are also foods that can promote inflammation in the body.

Basically, a supply of all vital nutrients is of great importance for your health. 

Pay particular attention to the following vitamins & minerals:

Omega-3

With fats it is like this: depending on which fats we eat, our body converts them into anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory substances. 

The ratio between  omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids plays a decisive role. 

A healthy ratio is about 2:1, omega 6: omega 3. However, due to today's diets in industrialised societies, the ratio has changed considerably. In some cases it is as high as 20:1, which is far too high and makes inflammation in the body more likely. This is because the omega-3 fatty acids are converted in your body to anti-inflammatory messengers and the omega-6 fatty acids to pro-inflammatory messengers.

So our diet today actually promotes inflammation in the body.

Vitamin C 

Vitamin C  is an essential vitamin that plays an important role in immunity and reducing inflammation by neutralising free radicals, which in turn cause oxidative damage to cells.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E strengthens the immune system, ensures healthy blood, blood clotting and circulation, and healthy eyes. It also helps prevent inflammation and should therefore not be missing from your diet.

Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene, also called pro-vitamin A, has an antioxidant effect and helps your body protect itself from free radicals. Beta-carotene is considered a secondary plant substance and is known for many other health-promoting effects in addition to its antioxidant effect.

Selenium

Selenium belongs to the group of antioxidants, the so-called radical scavengers, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Antioxidants have a protective function for proteins and enzyme systems. The intake of selenium also has a favourable effect on autoimmune processes. Selenium is a trace element that humans cannot produce themselves. It must therefore be ingested with food.

Zinc

Zinc is a trace element that is involved in almost all life processes in the body. Besides protecting us from free radicals, it is important for a healthy immune system. Zinc also has an anti-inflammatory effect and promotes wound healing in the skin, which can help people with acne in particular.

Turmeric

However, pure turmeric powder contains just three percent curcumin. The power substance is also poorly absorbed through the intestines and quickly excreted by the body. For this reason, we have added a black pepper extract (piperine) to our turmeric supplements.

 

 Inflammation: Friend or enemy?  

Inflammation is first of all a natural protective reaction against a harmful trigger. However, if the body does not manage to remove the cause of the inflammation, sometimes a persistent (chronic) inflammation develops. 

The reason for a harmful chronic inflammation can be, for example, when the immune system turns against its own body. If the immune system mistakenly recognises the body's own components as foreign and tries to get rid of them, this is called an autoimmune disease. 

What are you waiting for? Support your body's healing process by eating a balanced diet and getting enough vitamins and minerals.