Pterostilbene chronic inflammatory effects

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"To eliminate chronic inflammation, the root of all diseases, we need to correct our bad lifestyle habits and take polyphenol supplements such as 'resveratrol' or 'pterostilbene.'"

Have you ever suffered from headaches, joint pain, toothaches, back pain, and other aches and pains throughout your body, as well as insomnia and chronic fatigue, despite having no specific problems? You're likely experiencing pain and discomfort, yet the hospital says there's nothing wrong, leaving you with no clear cause. This is likely due to chronic inflammation, the root cause of all illness .

Chronic inflammation?

Inflammation is usually divided into two types: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation . Acute inflammation occurs when an infection occurs due to bacteria or an external stimulus. For example, when you have swelling and pain due to an abrasion, or when you have a swollen, sore, and feverish throat due to a cold virus infection, this is 'acute inflammation.' On the other hand, 'chronic inflammation' occurs when inflammation does not appear quickly and usually lasts for several months or years in our body. This low-intensity inflammatory response that progresses slowly causes problems in our body.

Several factors that cause chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation can be caused by various factors, but the most fundamental cause is reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause continuous oxidative damage to our bodies. Furthermore , a disruption in the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 or insulin resistance can also lead to chronic inflammation. Insulin resistance increases blood sugar levels, and high blood sugar levels promote an inflammatory response in our bodies, leading to chronic inflammation. Furthermore, excessive stress can reduce adrenal function, which can lead to decreased production of the hormone cortisol*, which in turn reduces the body's ability to regulate inflammation, potentially leading to chronic inflammation. Gaining significant weight can also lead to increased levels of inflammation, as fat cells secrete a large amount of inflammatory substances. Fat cells and mast cells typically store and process toxins, which can lead to chronic inflammation when these cells release large amounts of inflammatory substances.

Excessive sugar, carbohydrate, and trans fat consumption can cause advanced glycation end products (glycotoxins) to circulate in the bloodstream and accumulate, increasing inflammation levels within the body. External toxins like heavy metals, environmental hormones, and microplastics can also enter the body, increasing inflammation levels. A combination of factors, including poor lifestyle habits and external toxins, can elevate inflammation levels in the body and lead to chronic inflammation.

* Cortisol: It is secreted primarily in response to external stimuli such as stress, allowing the body to produce maximum energy, and plays a role in raising blood pressure and glucose levels.

What happens to our body when chronic inflammation occurs?

When chronic inflammation occurs, our body actively responds to inflammation. Inflammation usually causes pain and swelling, and immune system problems occur. Chronic inflammation causes this phenomenon to repeat itself over and over. At first, it may be okay, but as it accumulates over months, years, and decades, it creates weak points in our body. Representative symptoms that can arise from chronic inflammation include periodontitis, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, hyperimmune disorders, allergic reactions, atopy, depression, sleep disorders, and myocardial infarction. If it gets worse, it can lead to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus * , Crohn's disease * , and psoriasis *, and in the worst cases, it can cause dementia, stroke, and cancer .

* Lupus: A chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from the outside world, attacks the body instead.

* Crohn's disease: A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that occurs throughout the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.

* Psoriasis: A chronic inflammatory skin disease in which erythematous papules or plaques covered with silvery-white scales appear all over the body.

What can I do to get rid of chronic inflammation?

Should I take anti-inflammatory medications? Anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and immunosuppressants are the most common anti-inflammatory medications, but they are all quite toxic and difficult to take for long periods of time. Since chronic inflammation requires long-term management, taking these medications for years is nearly impossible. Therefore , when managing chronic inflammation, it's recommended to take proven and safe nutritional supplements with anti-inflammatory properties.

Controlling chronic inflammation fundamentally requires eliminating factors that cause oxidative damage. Therefore, it's recommended to consume polyphenols, which directly regulate inflammation by suppressing reactive oxygen species. Polyphenols, a variety of antioxidants found in plants , regulate inflammation by regulating inflammatory enzymes like COX2* and inflammatory transcription factors like NF-kB*. In this lesson, we'll explore the chronic inflammation-suppressing effects of two representative polyphenols, resveratrol and pterostilbene .

* COX2: An enzyme that is activated by inflammatory factors

* NF-kB: A protein complex that regulates genes that express pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes such as COX2.

Experimental results

To confirm the chronic inflammation-suppressing effects of resveratrol and pterostilbene, we conducted an in vitro experiment . Resveratrol and pterostilbene were injected into 'synovial cells' around human joints at various concentrations, and changes in the concentrations of inflammatory factors were observed. As a result, it was observed that the secretion of NF-kB, IL-6, IL-18, VEGF, and NO, which are known to cause inflammation, were suppressed in proportion to the concentration. In conclusion, it was confirmed that both resveratrol and pterostilbene can reduce inflammation, and that consistent intake of these nutrients can control chronic inflammation.

▶ Inhibition of secretion of inflammatory factors by resveratrol and pterostibene (NF-kB, IL-6, IL-18, VEGF, NO)

Controlling chronic inflammation requires efforts to eliminate the causes mentioned above. This includes eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and reducing the use of disposable products to avoid exposure to external toxins like heavy metals and endocrine disruptors.

These efforts can be even more powerful in combating chronic inflammation when combined with the intake of resveratrol or pterostilbene.

[References and Figure Source]

[1] hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG_WdE4iTQc

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJMLnVGxmw

[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464614003247