Natural Alternatives to Cortisone
Drug-free Strategies to Clear Inflammation
Dr. Zoltan P. Rona, MD, M.Sc.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Approaches: Diet
The nice thing about the natural interventions which can be used to reduce or even reverse chronic inflammation is that you can implement them even if you are currently using Prednisone. And it is even possible to wean off Prednisone safely if you are willing to make some changes in your diet and lifestyle. For this, you will most likely need the supervision of a health professional who has experience in helping people successfully wean off drugs like Prednisone, replacing it gradually over a period of months with a safer, more natural regime.
To begin removal of inflammation from the body, an anti-inflammatory diet is essential. This means the elimination of grains (especially gluten), sugar, alcohol, allergenic foods, trans fats, aspartame, chemicals, caffeine, and toxic heavy metals. Removing excess iron from the system is especially important in reducing inflammation.
If you are unconvinced of the necessity to stop consuming gluten in order to get off Prednisone, read the book Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers by Dr. David Perlmutter. In it, he provides more than adequate documentation for the concept that gluten is behind just about every inflammatory condition known to humans, especially those involving the brain. This includes Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and even psychotic behaviors.
In addition, the book Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back To Health by Dr. William Davis discusses how gluten causes obesity – in reality a condition that is caused by chronic inflammation.
Furthermore, over the years a variety of authors (Dr. Jonathan Wright, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Alan Gaby, and many others) have shown how gluten is at the bottom of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, M.S., Lupus and dozens of other diseases usually treated by Prednisone and assorted immunosuppressive drugs.
Also, look into the possibility that your gut has a fungal overload problem (dysbiosis, candidiasis, helicobacter pylori infections). These can all also be triggers in the creation of autoimmune disorders.
It is now a well-documented fact that candida (fungal) overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract increases the rate of allergic responses to foods for any individual. In cases where there is evidence of allergy to 30 or more foods, there should be a strong suspicion that this individual is really suffering from a chronic fungal problem that needs to be addressed first. Candida infections or overgrowth usually arise from a history of heavy antibiotic use, or the use of various steroids including the birth control pill, along with a high carbohydrate diet.
Supplements: Effective Natural Anti-Inflammatories
There are many important nutrients that can be supplemented in high doses to reduce inflammation safely. The most important of these are vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). The use of omega-6 has to be reduced in order for omega-3 to have maximum benefit.
High dose vitamin C and the amino acid L-lysine can help prevent the rapid atherosclerosis caused by Prednisone, so supplementation of both should be considered at levels of 3,000 mg. each or more, daily, in any Prednisone weaning-off program assisted by your medical doctor.
Correcting nutrient deficiencies, either through dietary changes or supplements, is important because this allows the body to heal tissues and organs damaged by inflammation.
Curcumin: Curcumin (an extract of the spice turmeric has been used successfully for just about every inflammatory condition. It also appears to be effective at protecting our bodies from the damaging, pro-inflammatory effects of fluoride. At this point, one could write a book detailing all of curcumin’s benefits, but suffice to say it is the single most important alternative supplement to Prednisone. Curcumin also works as an anti-cancer, anti-fungal, antioxidant, anti-Alzheimer’s and anti-depressant agent.
The most recommended form of curcumin is the BCM-95 extract of turmeric, found in Terry Naturally Curcumin and CuraMed supplements. It’s 100% natural and has at least 7 times the absorption rate of synthetic versions. It does not require any special additive, natural or otherwise, to enhance absorption and is well tolerated. An effective anti-inflammatory dose of curcumin for most conditions is 1000 mg, three times daily with food.
Serrapeptase: An enzyme derived from the silkworm that appears to be one of the most potent and effective of all the anti-inflammatory enzymes. In high enough doses, serrapeptase is capable of dissolving atherosclerotic plaque. It can also dissolve a cancer cell’s protective coat, thereby making virtually any chemotherapeutic remedy more effective. Many people use serrapeptase to dissolve excessive mucus so it’s highly effective in alleviating chronic bronchitis and sinusitis, conditions which usually trigger steroid prescriptions from doctors.
Pancreatin: A type of enzyme extracted from porcine pancreas. When consumed by humans, it can get into the bloodstream very much like serrapeptase and help destroy free radicals and pro-inflammatory compounds. The net effect is a reduction of inflammation, carcinogenesis, and numerous other conditions dependent on inflammation to spread.
Bromelain: An enzyme derived from pineapple, and is especially useful for relieving tendinitis and healing from most physical injuries. Combined with the other enzymes listed here, you get a remarkable anti-inflammatory benefit.
Ginger: is long known and acknowledged as a highly effective anti-inflammatory remedy that can be especially effective in gastrointestinal ills (any gut inflammatory condition), especially chronic nausea, even in early pregnancy.
Source: https://vitalitymagazine.com/article/natural-alternatives-to-cortisone/