How to treat neuroinflammation?

    Early intervention provides the best treatment outcomes, as prolonged neuroinflammation can lead to irreversible neurological damage. The brain is incredibly resilient and neuroplasticity can occur despite long-standing neuroinflammation.

    As with any condition, the key is identifying potential causes or contributors to a person’s neuroinflammation and applying appropriate treatment strategies. These can include teaching stress management, implementing dietary changes, recommending moderate physical activity, incorporating sleep-related changes and education about lifestyle or environmental changes to minimise exposure to environmental pollutants. Supplementation with certain macro- and micronutrients and herbal or plant-based compounds may also be helpful.

Anti-inflammatory nutrients include:

• zinc

• magnesium

• vitamin C

• vitamin D

• omega-3 fatty acids.

Anti-inflammatory compounds found in plants, fruits and vegetables, may provide neuroprotective benefits and lower neuroinflammation, include:

• curcumin

• resveratrol

• quercetin

• berberine

• epigallocatechin gallate.

    Specialised pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are another potential option to reduce neuroinflammation. SPMs are cell-signalling molecules formed in cells by the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. SPM supplementation may help support the resolution of neuroinflammation.

    Preliminary research presents probiotics as another treatment option. Evidence in animal trials indicates that probiotics can reduce LPS-induced neuroinflammation.