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 We are all familiar with the pain and inflammation that occurs when we are injured, have an infection, or have had surgery. But, how many of us are actually familiar with the body’s internal inflammatory process that exists in everyone? This internal inflammation can have a significant affect on the state of our health, leading to many chronic diseases.
According to an article in the New York Times titled Body’s Defender Goes on the Attack, “Scientists are coming to realize that inflammation may underlie many other common chronic diseases that come with aging, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Inflammation is also implicated in asthma, cirrhosis of the liver, some bowel disorders, psoriasis, meningitis, cystic fibrosis, and even cancer.” 1
What is Internal Inflammation?
According to WebMD, inflammation can affect our internal organs, especially in cases of autoimmune disorders. This type of inflammation can cause many different symptoms, including pain; however, pain may not be a main symptom due to the fact that many of our organs contain only a few pain-sensitive nerves. 2
Symptoms may depend on which organs are affected. For example:
- Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may cause vague chest pain or fluid retention
- Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure
- Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) may cause cramps and diarrhea
- Inflammation of the eye (iritis or uveitis) may cause pain or decreased vision
- Inflammation of the muscles (polymyositis) may cause achiness or weakness
- Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) may cause rash, headaches, or internal organ damage
- Inflammation of the small tubes that transport air to the lungs (bronchiolitis) may cause
shortness of breath similar to an asthma attack
As you can see, inflammation of the organs can be responsible for many different symptoms and conditions. Therefore, getting inflammation under control can be very important for overall health and proper organ function.
There are many medications available to help decrease pain and inflammation, such as Celebrex, aspirin, and ibuprofen, but they do not come without the risks of side effects. Using systemic enzymes like those in Vitalzym and VitalzymX can naturally help reduce pain and inflammation without the use of prescription medications or over the counter pain relievers.
Inflammation and C-Reactive Proteins
C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver and is a clinical marker of general and/or cardiac-related inflammation. When internal inflammation is present, CRP levels can rise. According to Thomas "Tate" P. Erlinger, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins, "higher levels of C-reactive protein are linked to an increased risk of several apparently distinct, chronic diseases: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and now colon cancer." http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2004/02_10_04.html
The New York Times article continues to say “two large studies -- one in men and one in women -- have demonstrated that the higher a person's C-reactive protein level, the greater the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Doctors nationwide are adding the C.R.P. test to cholesterol screening to assess people's risk of atherosclerosis.1
CRP testing can be useful in assessing patient’s with3:
• Heart disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Some forms of arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
CRP can be used to screen otherwise healthy people for the following conditions. However, in these cases, the more sensitive high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein test (hsCRP) will be ordered:
• Coronary heart disease (CHD)
• Cardiovascular disease
A health care professional may test someone for elevated CRP levels to check for internal inflammation or to help determine a person’s risk for heart disease. However, a low CRP level does not necessarily mean that inflammation is not present. For example, those with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (inflammatory conditions) may or may not have increased levels of CRP; the reason for this is not known.
Reducing Inflammation and CRP Naturally
A primary goal for heart attack prevention, should be to keep inflammation to a minimum, says Dr. Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s hospital, and others.1
Research results regarding the connection between CRP, inflammation, and degenerative diseases are on the rise, which is leading many health care professionals to believe that lowering CRP levels can also help reduce internal inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic, degenerative diseases. Besides a healthy diet and exercise, systemic enzyme therapy has been shown to help reduce elevated CRP levels, inflammation, and symptoms associated with such conditions.
We have three enzyme products that can be helpful
Original Vitalzym and the new Vitalzym X were formulated specifically for pain, inflammation, and systemic fibrosis of the organs and tissues. These two formulas are also the choice for fibroid tumors and other tissue and organ fibrosis conditions.
VitalzymSEB is a formula that was created with the cardiovascular system in mind. It contains an enzyme called nattokinase in combination with other "heart healthy" enzymes that have been shown to reduce the levels of CRP and vascular inflammation, which may lead to heart disease if left unchecked, as mentioned above.
http://www.gordonresearch.com/articles_cardiovascular/nattokinase_&_cardio_health.pdf
http://www.gordonresearch.com/articles_cardiovascular/landmark_dev_for_cardio_dis.html
Suggested further reading
Definition of Inflammation
http://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/serrapeptase.html#insect
Journal of the American Medical Association related articles and extracts
Inflammation, Heart Disease and Stroke: The Role of C-Reactive Protein
FDA cautions of using over the counter pain relievers
References
1. New York Times article, Body’s Defender Goes on the Attack
2. http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/arthritis-inflammation
3. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/test.html
By Marie Holt, BSc
Nutritionist
Energetic Nutrition, Inc.
Copyright 2008
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