Ask a Doctor: Is It Safe to Use a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Supplement Long-Term?

Ask a Doctor: Is It Safe to Use a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Supplement Long-Term?
While natural supplements can help reduce inflammation, the best way to deal with it is to understand and treat the cause. (Creatas/thinkstock)
Dr. Ann Corson
6/29/2014
Updated:
10/12/2022
Question: Do you think there are any long-term consequences of taking a supplement for joint support that contains 1,500 milligrams ginger, 140 milligrams turmeric, and 40 milligrams curcumin?
Dr. Ann Corson: This joint supplement contains a lot of anti-inflammatory substances. Remember, the body creates inflammation for a reason. Why do you have joint pain?

It is fine to take a supplement to reduce joint inflammation while you look for and eradicate the etiology [causes] of the joint inflammation. The body works best in balance and always strives for balance.

Pro-inflammation is balanced with anti-inflammation. When the body is out of balance, it is better to find the reason than to artificially try to rebalance it with anti-inflammatory supplements.

Dr. Ann Corson is a board-certified family-medicine and integrative-holistic- medicine doctor who specializes in treating chronically ill patients.
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Dr. Corson obtained her MD degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA in 1982 and is board certified in Family Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine. Her solo practice in Philadelphia, PA is devoted full time to the treatment of patients suffering from all forms of chronic disease. In 2008, Dr. Corson joined Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) to help raise awareness of China’s live forced organ harvesting of innocent prisoners of conscience, primarily Falun Gong practitioners. Since 2016, she has been editor-in-chief of DAFOH’s newsletter.
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