Today we’ll take a deep dive into this topic and provide clear answers on specialized pro-resolving mediators, in addition to what benefits they can offer you.
How Do Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Work?
Specialized pro-resolving mediators are unique kinds of “cell signalers” that operate within the human body. More specifically, SPMs are formed in your cells through the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). They also represent a portion of the Omega-3 fatty acid spectrum.
SPMs, acting as cell signalers, tell your immune system to turn off inflammatory responses before they get out of control and cause damage to our bodies. This is incredibly important because chronic inflammation can lead to several diseases and conditions (Medical News Today). However, we should note that inflammation isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, inflammation is the body’s natural and desirable response to injury and illness. It helps protect the afflicted area from further injury and discomfort.
That said, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. As stated earlier, the main purpose of SPMs is to combat and reduce inflammation before it spirals out of control. This anti-inflammatory property works effectively, without compromising your body’s immune response.
The Biochemistry of SPMs
When you break them down, SPMs are metabolites of Arachidonic acid (AA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or n-3 DPA. These metabolites fall under one of the following 4 classifications:
Lipoxins
Resolvins
Protectins
Maresins
Each of these metabolites has a different function such as nerve protection, cell regeneration, or blocking pain perceptions. However, they all serve a similar purpose as an anti-inflammatory.
The Specifics: How SPMs Work
Let’s assume that you experienced a minor injury, such as a cut on your hand. In the tissues that surround that cut, SPMs are produced through the metabolism process mentioned earlier. SPMs then begin to function in the tissues surrounding the injury as “resolution agonists” (Integrative Practitioner). These resolution agonists target the immune system cells that mediate the inflammatory response. The SPMs then bind to specific cellular receptors to modify the cell behavior and ultimately reduce inflammation.
This whole process tells the immune system to stop responding to pro-inflammatory signals and, instead, accelerate the return to homeostasis (normalcy). In the instance of the cut hand, your immune system will respond naturally to the infection by inflaming the area around it. SPMs then slow down and reduce the inflammation once the threat is mitigated. From there, those molecules then signal the beginning of the healing process. So, the cut may look and feel inflamed temporarily, but give your body some time and inflammation will go down.
Health Benefits of SPMs
SPMs are not just limited to the treatment of small cuts and bruises. Research published on Science Direct has shown that SPMs can significantly impact a wide array of pathological inflammation-based conditions. These may include conditions such as:
Autoimmune diseases (Cell Biology International)
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Dementia syndrome (Journal of Neuroinflammation)
And allergic inflammatory diseases
Aside from these medical conditions, specialized pro-resolving mediators have been shown to combat heart disease, promote healthy infant births, reduce the risk of cancer, reduce vision loss among older adults, and much more.
So, the question shouldn’t be “how do specialized pro-resolving mediators work,” but actually, “what can’t an SPM supplement help fix?”
Do I Need To Supplement Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators?
Anyone can naturally increase their intake of specialized pro-resolving mediators by eating a well-balanced diet that includes fish, seeds, and nuts. For some, though, it can be difficult to get the right amount into your diet. If you’re interested in a more direct way of raising your levels of SPMs, supplements are the best way to go.
Supplements, like Pure Formulas – SPM Vital, are derived from fish oil products (anchovies, sardines, mackerel, etc.) using a fractionation process to create a resulting product that is rich in SPMs.
Where Can I Get SPM Vital?
Hopefully, we were able to answer the commonly asked question: “how do specialized pro-resolving mediators work?” They offer the average human body some truly incredible health benefits. And thanks to our unique partnership with Pure Formulas, you can easily access and purchase a high-quality SPM supplement at an affordable price.
A daily SPM supplement, like SPM Vital, may be perfect for your everyday routine. Order your first container of Pure Formulas – SPM Vital today and start living your best life!
