Anti-inflammatories in alternative medicine?!
Question:
Anti-inflammatories in alternative medicine?
Does turmeric have anti-inflammatrory properties? Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Answers:
MSU Tart Cherry Institute has explored the COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition properties in vitro (ELISA) and in vivo (lab rats) of several berry sources containing anthocyanins (Nair, Bourquin, et al): Montmorency tart cherries, blueberries, acai purple berries, acerola cherries, cranberries, and herbal extract powders such as tumeric, rutin, herperidin, naringin, quercitin (citrus flavonoid glycosides). These were compared to the standards ibuprofen, naproxen, relafen, aspirin, and other known NSAIDs. While the study was inconclusive to the anti-inflammatory hypothesis, the results indicated significant lowering and improvement of other health markers (blood LDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose). In addition, the ORAC score of the berries mentioned, particularly tart cherries, implied potential anti-carcinogenic properties.
You may want to try the whole dried tart cherries, if you don't mind the fiber content. Also, you may want to look out for multiple berry supplements as gelatin- or vegetable-based capsules, in addition to a flavonoid-based supplement (ie. tumeric, rutin, etc.)
Good luck!