One of the most common conditions we see at our office is a patient with chronic inflammation. Yet even when they are compliant with supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle adjustments, inflammation can still be a problem. Resolving inflammation is something that takes time and is not a linear process. It’s our job to dig deeper and uncover the underlying reason for the inflammation in the first place.
Recently the discovery of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators, or SPMs, has been a game-changer for us in treating inflammation. SPMs are a portion of the omega-3 fatty acid spectrum (Yes, you still need to take your general blend of omegas too.) that powerfully reduce inflammation–and very effectively too! And the best part? They don’t compromise your immune response like other notable anti-inflammatories such as steroids, methotrexate, aspirin, humira, etc.
So how do they magically do this?
SPMs don’t block the initial inflammatory phase. This is really important. When you sprain your ankle or break a bone, that initial rush of inflammation is a protective response. Same thing when you are sick. That fever is the appropriate inflammatory response, and we want that, as a fever is the body’s way of firing up your immune system to fight off your illness.
So once your immune system has done its job initially, SPMs down-regulate this process to decrease and regulate inflammation. This is what gets out of whack so often. “Long-haulers” is the perfect example. The immune system is still overacting and creating a large amount of inflammation, causing symptoms long after the acute viral illness has resolved. We see this all the time in our clinic–chronic viral infections is the official name.
Simply put, SPMs signal your immune system to stop aggressively responding to pro-inflammatory signals. And instead, accelerate your body’s return to baseline, or homeostasis. This inhibits additional and unnecessary inflammation, helps clear away the damage done by the inflammation, and aids in tissue repair. This puts you on the path to recovery much quicker!
Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators have been shown in research to support a wide variety of conditions:
- migraines
- chronic pain
- any inflammatory condition
- auto-immune diseases
- gut healing
- acute infections
- chronic infections
- physical discomfort from day to day activities
- broken bones / orthopedic injuries
- ligament sprains or tears
- asthma and allergies
- arthritis
- atherosclerosis
- cognitive decline
- adolescent behavior issues
Basically, you need some! Or you at least know someone who could benefit. It is easily a favorite supplement at our clinic and one that I make sure we always have on hand at home! Give us a call at 308-390-2663 or stop by to pick your bottle up!