Inflam-X

While the human body can produce some nutrients on its own, it still has to rely on external sources to provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals to support optimal function and comprehensive wellness. A well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables and proteins is a great way to obtain these nutrients. Yet, there are also certain herbs and spices that can provide the body with the proper nutrients for the support of optimal whole body health. Turmeric, a golden-colored spice derived from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant, has long been utilized in Eastern medicine to support a variety of processes and functions that influence whole body health. Tumeric’s potential to support comprehensive wellness can be attributed to its main active ingredient: a phytonutrient with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties known as curcumin. Unfortunately, curcumin’s lack of bioavailability makes it difficult for the body to absorb this phytonutrient efficiently and utilize it properly. To work around this potential obstacle, the nutraceutical industry has recently developed products with a focus on enhancing the bioavailability of curcumin.

Oxidative stress is the result of unstable atoms attempting to bond with other atoms and molecules. To further compound this condition, these interactions can occur anywhere throughout the body. The unstable atoms, which are known as free radical oxidants, create enough chaos in these interactions to cause oxidative stress and a variety of symptoms and conditions that can have negative impacts on whole body health, including:

• Inflammation
• Autoimmune disorders
• Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Macular degeneration and cataracts
• Reduced cognitive function
• Dry skin, wrinkles, hair loss and other symptoms associated with aging

Inflammation can be even more wide-reaching than oxidative stress and has long been recognized as a source of various illnesses, conditions and symptoms. As is the case with oxidative stress, inflammation can occur anywhere throughout the body. Yet, it is the body’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract where inflammation has the potential to do the most widespread damage to whole body health due to the fact that the majority of the body’s immune cells reside in the gut. While inflammatory bowel conditions and reduced digestive function can both be detrimental on their own, inflammation in the gut can set the stage for a wide array of other illnesses to proliferate throughout the body as a result of reduced immune function. Aside from the many conditions that can result from impaired immune system function, inflammation can also directly lead to a variety of conditions that include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Fatigue
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis

In addition to supporting comprehensive wellness with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles, curcumin has been known to promote healthy cognitive function by enhancing the production of specific proteins known as brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs). These proteins, which are also classified as neurotransmitter modulators, have been recognized for their ability to promote healthy memory, focus and clarity. Low levels of BDNFs have also been connected to an increased risk of depression.

Even though curcumin has long been recognized in Eastern medicine for its ability to reduce the risk of many health conditions and symptoms, its lack of bioavailability puts a damper on its potential to promote optimal whole body health. Fortunately, there are certain micronutrients within curcumin that can provide the same anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits with enhanced bioavailability. Tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THCs) can be extracted from curcumin and are known for being more highly bioavailable, which means they can be absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized throughout the body more effectively than curcumin on its own. In addition to being known for enhanced bioavailability, THCs have also been recognized for being more efficacious and chemically stable than curcumin. These enhanced traits increase the potential for both women and men to benefit from the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles of curcumin.