NMU 305 – Ginger Supplementation Suppresses Dangerous Inflammation and Blood Clots in Lupus, Related Autoimmune Conditions, and Infections: Animal and Human Evidence

Nutrition/Natural Medicine Update No 305 (September 26, 2023)

with Dr. James Meschino

Topic: Ginger Supplementation Suppresses Dangerous Inflammation and Blood Clots in Lupus, Related Autoimmune Conditions, and Infections: Animal and Human Evidence

Source:  JCI Insights (American Society for Clinical Investigation) – September 22, 2023

Previous studies have shown that the gingerol constituents in ginger have anti-inflammatory effects that can be helpful in reducing inflammation in various arthritic conditions. In September 2023 the journal JCI Insights published a research study showing that ginger supplementation can also contain an important part of the inflammatory reaction involved in Lupus, as shown in a mouse model of the disease. Ginger supplementation prevented the development of dangerous NETosis. Very often in Lupus and in severe infections, such as severe COVID-19 infections, white blood cells called neutrophils overreact and produce an overwhelming amount of inflammation that can lead to organ failure and dangerous blood clots (thrombosis). As such, the development of NETosis in a Lupus patient, autoimmune patient or patient with severe infection is very dangerous and often life-threatening. Researchers have been looking for drugs and natural agents that can suppress the development of NETosis in Lupus patients, other autoimmune conditions, and in cases of severe infection.

Publishing in the September issue of JCI Insights, these researchers showed that not only does ginger suppress NETosis from developing in a mice model of Lupus, but in healthy human volunteers, ginger supplementation also suppressed the development of NETosis when these subjects were exposed to disease- promoting stimuli. The research revealed that ginger suppressed NETosis in humans through the exact same molecular mechanisms seen in the Lupus mice experiment (ginger supplementation boosts neutrophil cAMP and thus decreases NETosis formation).

So, what does this mean for us? There are a number of very good natural anti-inflammatory agents that are greatly underappreciated in the conventional medical channels. Supplements such as Curcumin, Ginger, Boswellia and White willow Extract, for instance, continue to show impressive results in containing inflammation in a number arthritic and inflammatory conditions. For arthritic patients, my personal preference is to recommend a combination supplement that includes all four of these natural agents:

Curcumin

Ginger

Boswellia

White Willow Extract

The reason to combine them into one supplement is that they work synergistically to suppress inflammation and pain. What we learned from the Sept 2023 JCI Insights study is that ginger also suppresses the formation of dangerous NETosis, which is a very significant benefit in dealing with Lupus, some other autoimmune conditions, and in cases of severe infections. This is truly important breakthrough research that we have not seen before, as preventing NETosis is highly desirable in autoimmune conditions and severe infection. If you are going to use a supplement containing ginger make sure that it is standardized grade, yielding the highest amount of gingerols, which are the medicinal ingredients.  For example, a supplement providing 100 mg per day of ginger should be standardized to 5% gingerols.  The same is true for Curcumin, which should be a 95% standardized grade; and Boswellia, which should be standardized to 70% boswellic acids and White Willow Extract, which should be standardized to 15% salcin content.

Once again, the combination of Curcumin, Ginger, Boswellia and White Willow Extract can be very helpful in suppressing the inflammatory process, often helping patients reduce or eliminate the need for anti-inflammatory drugs that can be damaging to the liver, kidneys, and intestinal tract. Preventing NETosis is one more benefit available from the inclusion of ginger in a combination supplement of this type. I have included the reference for the September 2023 ginger research paper below.

Reference:

Ramadan A et al. Ginger intake suppresses neutrophil extracellular trap formation in autoimmune mice and health humans. JCI Insight. September 22, 2023. JCI Insight – Ginger intake suppresses neutrophil extracellular trap formation in autoimmune mice and healthy humans

Eat Smart, Live Well, Look Great,
Dr. Meschino