Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Resolve Inflammation

Acute inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or to pathogens and is beneficial, but too much inflammation leads to severe pain and without resolution, inflammation can become chronic. The body naturally creates Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) from both omega 6 and omega 3 fats that resolve or end the inflammatory process at the appropriate time. These SPMs are known as lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and marexins.  While these SPMs are created naturally, this is a multi-step process and many factors can interfere with the ability to produce sufficient amounts of SPMs, including poor diet (too many carbs or low quality fats), environmental irritants, too little or too much exercise, stress, poor sleep, aging, and genetics.

Simply taking more fish oil, is not sufficient to increase SPM levels, so taking specialized SPM supplements can be extremely helpful in the fight against too much inflammation. Daily intake of 2 to 6 capsules of SPMs has been shown by research to reduce various markers of inflammation, including hs-CRP, interleukins, fibrinogen, and TNF-alpha. Because SPMs are naturally produced as part of the process that resolves inflammation, these supplements will not interfere with the immune system and will not interfere with healing, as happens with cortisone or NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin).