Inflammation is crucial to your body’s immune defense. It’s the warning siren calling your immune cells to the site of infection. However, when inflammation goes into overdrive, it degrades our body’s functioning. (You can’t always be on high alert!)

Lyme disease is closely related to inflammation. The infection causes inflammation in the nerves, leading to weakness, numbness, and altered sensations. Little wonder we include several anti-inflammatory amino acids in our SUPREMEplex™.

L-arginine is one of the most potent amino acids in SUPREMEplex™. The molecule is essential for nitric oxide production, a signaling molecule that regulates blood flow to inflamed sites. Increasing oxygen availability prevents damage and allows the immune system to perform its vital function. Other studies indicate it inhibits joint inflammation and bone loss in people with arthritis and exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in cells.

Leucine, isoleucine, and valine are known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). These wonder molecules are renowned for their restorative properties, which are partly due to their anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that BCAAs reduced the production of proinflammatory molecules in cell models – which was confirmed in patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).

L-glutamic acid and L-threonine are also key players in fighting inflammation. Glutamic acid, converted to glutamine, strengthens the gut lining, helping reduce inflammation from the inside out. Threonine supports mucin production, which acts like a protective shield in the intestines, keeping irritants at bay. In fact, the uptake of threonine and mucin production increases during intestinal inflammation. Together, these amino acids help your body keep inflammation in check for a healthier, balanced immune response.

References

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3. McRae MP. Therapeutic benefits of L-arginine: an umbrella review of meta-analyses. Journal of chiropractic medicine. 2016 Sep 1;15(3):184-9.
4. Onuora S. l-arginine inhibits arthritis and bone loss by reprogramming osteoclast metabolism. Nature Reviews Rheumatology. 2023 Dec;19(12):760-.
5. Qiu Y, Yang X, Wang L, Gao K, Jiang Z. L-arginine inhibited inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide via arginase-1 signaling in IPEC-J2 cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019 Apr 11;20(7):1800.
6. Rémond D, Buffiere C, Godin JP, Mirand PP, Obled C, Papet I, Dardevet D, Williamson G, Breuillé D, Faure M. Intestinal inflammation increases gastrointestinal threonine uptake and mucin synthesis in enterally fed minipigs. The Journal of Nutrition. 2009 Apr 1;139(4):720-6.
7. Rosa L, Scaini G, Furlanetto CB, Galant LS, Vuolo F, Dall’Igna DM, Schuck PF, Ferreira GC, Dal-Pizzol F, Streck EL. Administration of branched-chain amino acids alters the balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience. 2016 Feb 1;48:24-30.
8. Wang B, Wu G, Zhou Z, Dai Z, Sun Y, Ji Y, Li W, Wang W, Liu C, Han F, Wu Z. Glutamine and intestinal barrier function. Amino acids. 2015 Oct;47:2143-54.