Once in a while, a breakthrough occurs in the natural medicine world and Metagenics OmegaGenics SPM Active is showing initial evidence that it may be a very powerful supplement for those suffering from inflammatory conditions. At this time, the process of inflammation and its consequences is one of the most widely studied areas of research in both traditional and alternative medicine. Its resolution may be the most important concept in improving outcomes for our patients with any inflammatory condition.
So, let’s discuss this the easy way and also the detailed way.
The Easy Explanation
Briefly, the concept addressed with Metagenics OmegaGenics SPM Active is that it promotes the resolution phase of inflammatory conditions after a number of other steps are taken to address the initiation phase (acute phase) of inflammation…and this occurs in any inflammatory condition.
If I asked you if you knew that fish oil is anti-inflammatory, most people would say yes. If I asked you what it is about fish oil or is in fish oil that makes it anti-inflammatory, most people would not have any idea. That included me till a few months ago. Then someone very smart decided to research that concept.
The research showed that there are compounds in fish oil that are taken by the body’s chemistry and converted into other substances that promote the resolution phase of inflammation. But, there is very little in a piece of fish or in fish oil capsules. The compounds were identified and then concentrated from fish oil to a level 100’s of times more than in fish oil capsules. Maybe 1000 time more concentrated.
Testing reveals that inflammatory conditions responded positively to the taking of this new product. In fact…though there are no studies that confirm this, it’s all anecdotal evidence…that higher doses are a potent pain reliever, and in very short time frame.
These findings have led holistic doctors to begin applying the use of Metagenics OmegaGenics SPM Active to their patients with any number of inflammatory conditions. And with great success.
The Detailed Explanation
Acute inflammation is a localized, protective immune response that occurs in an attempt to eliminate invading pathogens and/or repair injured tissue as in a sprained ankle.1 Poor foods choices have also been linked to inflammation.2 Hopefully, the initiation phase or acute inflammatory response is self-limited and leads to a resolution that allows tissue to heal and return to normal.3
If left unresolved a prolonged state of chronic inflammation that causes damage to the patient can occur and result in pain and/or a chronic disease. Many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, periodontal disease, asthma, and age-related macular degeneration, as well as some neurological disorders such as dementia and Alzheimers, have been linked to chronic inflammation.14-9 Aging may also be associated with a chronic pro-inflammatory state and has been termed “inflammaging.”10
The acute inflammatory response (initiation phase) begins within seconds to minutes following the presence of harmful stimuli such as pathogens, injuries, or irritants. It is controlled by pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, cytokines, chemokines, and other chemical messengers.11,12 The most well known responders are white blood cells that travel from the blood stream into the inflamed site and forms exudates like whitish creamy pus) to surround the area.3,13 This is called phagocytosis.
Then comes the resolution phase.14 Always thought to be a passive process, the new research shows resolution is an active process controlled by specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that are produced in tissue exudates during the resolution phase and function as “resolution agonists” to accelerate the return to normal.13,14
To return to normal, the white blood cells present in the area of damage need to be removed from the inflamed site and white blood cells on their way to the site need to be stopped. If they are allowed to continue to the site, they would cause additional tissue damage and continued inflammation.15 Extensive experimental research has shown that SPMs block excessive infiltration of white blood cells and control a timely cell death of existing white blood cells, and stimulate macrophages to remove dead white blood cells, debris, and microbes.16,17
In the resolution phase of acute inflammation, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in tissue are converted into SPMs.22,24 The majority of SPMs are biosynthesized from omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. 25
SPMs have shown to be pro-resolving when administered to animal models with human disease. 25,27
Although EPA and DHA (ingredients of typical fish oil capsules) can be converted to SPMs, they do not have the properties of SPMs. For decades, blocking initiation-phase pro-inflammatory mediators or enzymes such as COX-2 enzyme by drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been the therapy of choice for many acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Keep in mind that anti-inflammation is not the same as pro-resolution.
Because initiation phase activities are required to ever get to the resolution phase, traditional COX-2 and lipoxygenase inhibitors may delay resolution activities and prevent the bodyʼs attempt to return to normal and allow tissue healing.19,29,30 Unresolved inflammation and unhealed tissue can lead to fibrosis that can impair organ function.1
Thus, an important key to controlling/resolving inflammation and subsequently preventing chronic inflammatory conditions lies in SPMs and their pro-resolving properties that switch an inflammatory response toward resolution and balance. The fact that SPMs are enzymatically produced from long-chain PUFA (especially EPA and DHA) in tissue exudates indicates the indispensable role of nutrition in regulating inflammation and promoting resolution.
Don’t suffer. All inflammatory conditions can be addressed naturally using dietary changes and all natural supplementation. Please download Dr. Dahlman’s Autoimmune Inflammatory free report and learn more about his treatment plan to address your health concerns.
References
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