Cystic fibrosis is a serious condition that affects the respiratory tract. It comes with chronic inflammation and sticky mucous and is known to cause early death. Patients who take high-dosed vitamin C supplements seem to make better use of vitamin E, which is also an antioxidant, and the result is less inflammation. This was seen in a study from Oregon State University. The scientists mention that taking extra vitamin C is also relevant for smokers and patients with metabolic disease.

People suffering from the Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, often lack folic acid and vitamin B12. It is also known that this disease can be triggered by an infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), a type of bacteria that can survives in pasteurized milk. A new study that is published in Nutrients has found why lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 disrupts the immune defense, thereby contributing to chronic inflammation that can occur in the wake of an infection with MAP.

Biotin, one of the B vitamins, is essential for numerous metabolic processes, and a biotin deficiency may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). According to a new study that is published in Nutrients, a biotin deficiency can also have a negative impact on the intestinal flora and result in a suppression of symbiotic bacteria and a replication of harmful, dysbiotic bacteria. The scientists say that a disrupted gut flora caused by a biotin deficiency may contribute to inflammatory bowel disorders.

The ageing process and most chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer involve chronic inflammation that has the potential to damage healthy tissue. If acute hyperinflammation occurs, for example in connection with virus infections like influenza and COVID-19, the condition may become potentially life-threatening. It is therefore vital that the body can control the different inflammatory processes. One of the things that is needed for this is magnesium, according to a meta-analysis that is published in Nutrients. Here, the researchers look closer at how magnesium supplementation is able to reduce different pro-inflammatory markers. Magnesium also helps activate vitamin D, which is also necessary for controlling inflammation.

Most chronic pulmonary diseases – including asthma, bronchitis, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) – are characterized by chronic inflammation that makes both the symptoms and the prognosis worse. Fish and fish oil supplements contain specific omega-3 fatty acids that appear to have an anti-inflammatory effect and may therefore be useful as both prevention and therapy for chronic pulmonary diseases. This was demonstrated in a large American population study that also included Europeans. What the researchers also mention is that people who fail to meet the official guidelines for fish consumption are often at increased risk of developing chronic lung diseases.

- but only when taken in optimal amounts

Q10 is a popular supplement for boosting energy levels and supporting circulatory health. According to a new meta-analysis that is published in Molecular Nutrition Food Research, the compound is also able to inhibit inflammation, which is the common thread in most chronic diseases. This requires sufficiently high doses of the compound, and it is also important to take high-quality supplements with documented absorption.

- and oxidative stress

The body uses inflammation as part of its normal immune response to infections and tissue damage. If inflammation becomes chronic, however, it can be extremely dangerous. What happens is that it bombards the body with free radicals. This leads to oxidative stress and increases the risk of cell damage, overweight, and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, and different cancer forms. Diet and lifestyle play a major role, and according to a meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, Q10 supplementation can lower several markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, if their blood levels of vitamin D are high before they start on methotrexate therapy, it lowers their mortality. This was shown in a study published in Nutrients, where the authors looked at vitamin D’s therapeutic properties. Note that the official vitamin D recommendations are too low to optimize blood levels of the nutrient.

The rate of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerous colitis is growing, and diet plays a major role. Even if you eat a healthy diet, it can be a challenge to get enough selenium because of the selenium-depleted soil in our part of the world. Apparently, selenium supplementation can lower the disease activity and improve quality of life in patients with ulcerous colitis.

Regular sport is good for you, whereas arduous training and high-performance sport can result in physical injuries, infections, chronic inflammation, and serious diseases due to oxidative stress. This phenomenon occurs as a result of the increased energy turnover, which produces an excess of free radicals that cause damage to cells and tissues. Oxidative stress is also associated with impaired performance, poor restitution, and faster ageing. Our only natural defense against free radicals is the presence of antioxidants, and it is especially things like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, and turmeric that protect against oxidative damage and improve recovery time. According to a review article published in Nutrients, supplements with the right doses of different nutrients can also help boost your physical and mental performance.

Since the 1950s, the rate of asthma has increased dramatically, especially among children and adolescents. Altered diet habits play a significant role, and now a Swedish population study shows that children who get too little omega-3 and too much omega-6 in their diets have an increased risk of developing asthma later in life. There is also evidence that increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish or from fish oil supplements can counteract the inflammatory processes that are seen with asthma.

Many people suffer from chronic inflammation, which sets the stage for a host of diseases such as asthma, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, depression, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. The presence of chronic inflammation may also make infections such as coronavirus and influenza potentially life-threatening by derailing the immune defense. According to a new study from the University of South Australia that is published in International Journal of Epidemiology, it appears that vitamin Dcan inhibit inflammation by way of different mechanisms, thereby reducing the risk of a variety of diseases and even premature death. The need for vitamin D varies from person to person. Also, it is essential to make sure that blood levels of the nutrient are optimal and that vitamin D is properly activated in the body.