Ginger shots, ginger ale, ginger beer, ginger root capsules… ginger is hot, and we’re not just talking about the taste. All kinds of health benefits are attributed to the spicy root. For example, it is said to help against nausea, menstrual cramps and protect the body against inflammation. What is true about this?
Ginger in the form of supplements may help against morning sickness or nausea during chemotherapy, but the evidence is limited and not every study comes to the same conclusions. It is also important to consult with your doctor before starting ginger supplements. There is no health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority on ginger. Not much has yet been demonstrated about the anti-oxidative or anti-inflammatory effect in humans.
White blood cells
That’s why American researchers agree go watch into the effect of ginger supplements on a specific type of white blood cells, namely the neutrophil granulocytes or neutrophils for short. Neutrophils are an essential part of the immune system. They make up about 60 percent of the total leukocytes present in a healthy body.
To be precise, the research focuses on the formation of harmful neutrophil extracellular ‘traps’ (NET), a process also called NETosis. NETs are microscopic spider web-like structures that fuel clotting and inflammation, contributing to many autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
Overactive neutrophils
The researchers would like to know what ginger can do against inflammation in the body and possibly also against autoimmune diseases. “There are many diseases in which neutrophils are abnormally overactive. We found that ginger can curb NETosis, and this is important because it is a natural supplement that could potentially help treat inflammation and combat symptoms in people suffering from all kinds of autoimmune diseases,” said lead researcher Kristen Demoruelle from Colorado out.
Ginger for a week
In the study, healthy subjects were given a ginger supplement (20 milligrams of gingerol per day) every day for a week. The scientists found that this enhanced a chemical called cAMP within the neutrophils. These increased cAMP levels inhibited the NETosis process, which is normally triggered by a variety of disease-relevant stimuli.
Ginger supplements therefore ensure that the neutrophils of healthy people are better protected against the harmful NETosis process. “Our research provides evidence for the biological mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory effect of ginger in humans. This has never been established before,” says an enthusiastic professor Jason Knight from Michigan.
Harmful effects of NETs
According to the researchers, many people with chronic inflammatory problems ask their healthcare providers whether natural medicines can help them. Some are already taking remedies such as ginger root capsules. Unfortunately, the exact impact of these medications is often unknown. The scientists hope that they can help patients and healthcare providers by providing more evidence about ginger and its effect on neutrophils.
“There are few natural supplements or prescription medications that can address overactive neutrophils and their harmful effects. We therefore think that ginger can be a good addition to current treatment plans. The goal is to relieve people of their complaints in a simpler way,” says Knight.
Relief for long covid patients
The next step in research into the healing effects of ginger supplements is to secure funding for research in patients with overactive neutrophils that progress to autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The researchers want to conduct larger studies to see what ginger can do for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, APS and even for people with long Covid.
2023-09-24 14:02:04
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