- A new study suggests that ginger supplements can provide an effective method of reducing inflammation in people with autoimmune disorders.
- The study reveals the ability of ginger to affect neutrophils and make them less prone to NETosis, which is a process that can cause inflammation and other autoimmune diseases.
- As more people opt for natural treatments such as ginger to relieve discomfort, researchers are keen to explore its healing potential, specifically for conditions such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and COVID-19.
As a natural ingredient, ginger might help in the treatment of the symptoms of inflammation for people suffering from various autoimmune diseases.
In the latest study released in JCI Insight, researchers describe how ginger impacts neutrophils, which is a kind of white blood cell.
The main focus was what happens during the process of NETosisTrusted Source and the creation of neutrophil-like structures. Extracellular traps (NETs).
NETosis is a procedure in which certain immune cells (neutrophils) create NETs. The NETs consist of DNA, which is paired with proteins that destroy bacteria.
Different triggers, like the immune response, infections, and cellular signals, can trigger the NET-forming procedure.
The results of this study suggest when healthy people consume ginger, it helps make their neutrophils less susceptible to NETosis.
This is important because the NETs, which resemble microwebs, can increase the clotting process and inflammation, which are factors that can be linked to various immune-mediated diseases such as Lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
How ginger can make neutrophils less vulnerable to NETosis
In a trial conducted by a clinical researcher, the researchers found that healthy participants who consumed a daily ginger supplement one a week (20 mg of gingerols per day) observed an increase in the chemical known as cAMP in the neutrophil.
CAMP levels that were elevated inhibited NETosis in response to stimuli that are associated with specific illnesses.
The study suggests that patients suffering from inflammatory conditions will likely ask their medical professionals if natural supplements might be beneficial to them. Alternatively, they may already use accessories, such as ginger, which can help to control symptoms.
Senior co-author Dr. Kristen Demoruelle, Ph.D. Associate medical professor of the University of Colorado School of Medicine interviewed Medical News Today, saying, “We found a specific pathway by which ginger supplements can have an anti-inflammatory effect.”
“Our study was conducted with healthy individuals that allowed us to verify the findings of our study are applicable to everyone and not only an observation in an experiment tube. The specific inflammation pathway that ginger was able to block was a result of a particular kind of cell known as neutrophils.”
Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian and Nutrition consultant at the National Coalition on Healthcare, who was not part of this study, said that “the key takeaway from this study is that ginger supplements may significantly change how white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, behave and decrease a process known as NETosis.”
“This report suggests the use of ginger supplements could transform the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, like APS and Lupus through altering how certain immune cells operate. Combining ginger with other treatments could increase the effectiveness of treatment for chronic inflammation conditions.”
Megan Hilbert, a registered dietitian who specializes in digestive health nutrition at Top Nutrition Coaching, who was not part of the research, said, “this paper does a great job expanding off previous research that shows ginger, and in particular, gingerol may have an important impact on modulating the immune system for auto-immune conditions.”
“Previous studies focused on gingerol’s effects on mice as well on human cells that were in vitro. In the present, we have more research preliminary to show how beneficial ginger is on neutrophil activity in order to reduce the immune system, which can worsen auto immune disorders.”
What’s the proper dosage for supplements made from ginger?
Hilbert said that this study has a significant impact because “we now have better data on what dosage of ginger for oral administration may be effective (20mg).”
“What we still need to understand is how this impacts those with autoimmune conditions in particular, and if these findings can also be recreated in these populations since the qualifications of this study specified healthy adults,” Hilbert stated.
“These preliminary results can to open the way for further studies in this area. For future studies I would like observe a bigger and diverse sample of patients being studied, and also investigating the effects of ginger on people suffering from an autoimmune condition. I would also like conduct a more thorough study of the populations that are affected, since the study only tracked the participants for 7 days.” Hilbert noted.