X-Treme X-Training: Heat Busters: Natural Summer Pain Relievers


Inflammation is no picnic! Turmeric Supplements to beat the heat.

Summer is officially here and I don't know about you but I've found with the ensuing heat comes added inflammation problems: sore joints, insect bites, poison ivy and poison sumac, sunburn, etc.

All of these summer-time problems can be pretty much neutralized by taking and using natural anti-inflammatories. Here's what I'm using this summer to keep the "heat" down.

Turmeric Supreme by Gaia Herbs
If you haven't heard by now, Curcumin supplements are at the forefront of inflammation management. Widely used in Indian cuisine and curry, the benefits of this "middle eastern spice" is getting a lot of press time. I've been taking a Turmeric (Curcumin) supplement for about a year now and have basically gotten completely off of my Rx anti-inflammatories, namely Celebrex. So when I heard about Gaia Herb's new line of Turmeric based supplements, I was anxious to try them. Starting with the Turmeric Supreme line, you will find condition specific formulations for: heart, joints, allergy symptoms, pain and more.

Turmeric Supreme capsules are small and easy to swallow.

Turmeric Supreme supplements set themselves apart from other similar products in many ways. One thing I noticed right away was how small and easy to swallow the gelatin capsules are. They go down very easily and are concentrated enough that in most cases, you only need to take one capsule per day. Such is the case with Curcumin Synergy Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength shown in my hand above. I only take one per day and with 120 caps, you get four months of supplementation in one bottle. The Turmeric Supreme Heart Formula caps are even smaller but the workup is 1 capsule twice daily. I take it as recommended with the Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength and have been VERY pleased with how much better my back and joints feel.

Turmeric Supreme Pain
This comes in both a regular and night time formula. I've taken both and it works just as well if not better than aspirin. The Night Pain Formula has added herbs like Valerian root to help you sleep but it is very gentle so you don't get up groggy the next morning. Unlike narcotic based sleep formulas, it does not interfere with your natural R.E.M. sleep cycles and dream states. All of these formulations are delivered in a very bioavailable vegetarian liquid phyto-cap. The capsule's ingredients are in liquid form, making it much easier to absorb by the intestinal track. The supplements also include additional synergistic herbs, botanicals and adaptogens, making them biologically complete.
Check out all of the Turmeric based formulas at GaiaHerbs.com

Topical Relief: Topricin Pain Cream
If you are going camping or backpacking, you'll definitely want to take this along as it stops inflammation in its tracks in the outback. Insect bites, sunburn, poison ivy and sprains all are so much more painful due to the swelling and puffiness often associated with them. In addition to taking a natural oral anti-inflammatory, you can address the problem head on with a topical cream. Topricin is a natural homeopathic formula with arnica which is similar to willow bark in helping to take the heat out of such conditions as I've just mentioned.

Topricin really makes a difference in how my day is going to go. I use it first thing in the morning before I head out for my run and before I use the weight machine. I believe it helps me to push it just a little bit further without worrying about "paying for it" the next day. Going on now, for every tube purchased online at Topricin.com, one is donated to a pain clinic to help others who suffer from chronic pain. This is another product that has helped me ditch prescription anti-inflammatory medications...completely.