Best Supplements for Reduced Inflammation
Ranked by research evidence. Compare 113 supplements across 207 papers from the biomedical literature, with effect direction, evidence strength, and dose range for each.
Top picks by evidence
- Moderate evidence8 studies
Across 8 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The strongest evidence comes from a meta-analysis (n=896) showing a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (mean difference -1.93 dL) and an RCT in multiple sclerosis patients demonstrating significant decreases in CRP, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Most studies were reviews or animal/in vitro experiments; the two highest-quality studies (a review/meta-analysis and an RCT) both showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, with moderate effect sizes.
- Moderate evidence3 studies
Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on inflammation, with two showing moderate effect sizes and one small. The evidence comes from systematic reviews covering oral health, rheumatic conditions, and athletic recovery. No consistent dose or form was reported.
- Low evidence15 studies
Across 13 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes predominantly moderate. The highest-quality evidence comes from a systematic review in children with asthma and an RCT in chronic kidney disease patients, both showing moderate beneficial effects. Most studies lacked specific dose and duration reporting, and over half were preclinical or low-evidence-score studies.
113 supplements
- LowLactobacillus rhamnosusAcross 13 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes predominantly moderate. The highest-quality evidence comes from a systematic review in children with asthma and an RCT in chronic kidney disease patients, both showing moderate beneficial effects. Most studies lacked specific dose and duration reporting, and over half were preclinical or low-evidence-score studies.15 beneficial15 studies
- LowLactobacillus acidophilus L-92Across 9 studies on *Lactobacillus acidophilus* L-92 and reduced inflammation, all reported beneficial effects, with effect sizes predominantly small to moderate. The strongest evidence comes from a large meta-analysis (n=3,390) showing small beneficial reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, TNF-α, and lipopolysaccharides in subjects with type 2 diabetes, and one small RCT (n=100) reported statistically significant moderate reductions in inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) in underweight participants. Most studies were reviews, and specific dose ranges and durations were not consistently reported.9 beneficial9 studies
- LowBifidobacterium plantarumAcross 8 studies, 7 reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium plantarum on reduced inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to large and a predominant moderate effect. The highest-quality evidence comes from a meta-analysis of 413 athletes showing a statistically significant moderate reduction in TNF-α (ES = -0.59, 95% CI [-0.94 to -0.24], P = 0.001). One neutral systematic review in adults with alcoholic liver disease found no significant effect on inflammatory markers. Doses and study durations were not consistently reported, so no dose range or treatment timeline can be established.8 beneficial1 neutral9 studies
- ModerateLactobacillus salivarius UCC118Across 8 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118 on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The strongest evidence comes from a meta-analysis (n=896) showing a significant reduction in C-reactive protein (mean difference -1.93 dL) and an RCT in multiple sclerosis patients demonstrating significant decreases in CRP, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Most studies were reviews or animal/in vitro experiments; the two highest-quality studies (a review/meta-analysis and an RCT) both showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, with moderate effect sizes.8 beneficial8 studies
- Very lowLactobacillus brevis SBC8803Across 5 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803 on reduced inflammation, with the majority showing moderate effects. One randomized controlled trial in healthy adults found a statistically significant moderate effect on reducing exercise-induced inflammation. The evidence base is preliminary, consisting mostly of reviews and animal/mechanistic studies, with limited human data.8 beneficial8 studies
- LowSaccharomyces cerevisiaeAcross 6 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to large and a predominant moderate effect. Statistically significant findings were observed in 3 studies, including a small RCT (n=12) showing reduced microvascular inflammation and subjective irritation scores. Most evidence comes from in vitro or animal models, limiting direct applicability to humans.7 beneficial7 studies
- LowBifidobacterium breve Bb-18Across 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium breve Bb-18 on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The highest-quality evidence (a meta-analysis with 3,390 participants) showed small beneficial effects, including reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Most studies did not report specific doses, duration, or form, and no findings reached statistical significance.4 beneficial4 studies
- LowVitamin DAcross 4 studies, all reported small beneficial effects of vitamin D on reducing inflammation. 3 of 4 studies reported statistically significant findings. The evidence is drawn from clinical populations including rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, as well as general adult groups. Doses, forms, and study durations were not consistently reported across the included studies.4 beneficial4 studies
- LowLactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1Across 3 studies, all 3 reported beneficial moderate-sized effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 on reducing inflammation, with 2 of 3 findings reaching statistical significance. Evidence is derived from in vitro human cell line models, bovine cell studies, and a mouse model; no human clinical trials are included. Dose and form were not reported in any study.4 beneficial4 studies
- Very lowLactobacillus amylovorusAcross 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects on reduced inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. A meta-analysis (n=25 RCTs) found a small but statistically significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) of -0.99 mg/L. The evidence base is very small and dominated by animal or in vitro studies, limiting applicability to humans.4 beneficial4 studies
- Very lowBifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12Across 4 studies (all reviews or preclinical), all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 on reducing inflammation, but effect sizes were predominantly small. No studies reported doses, durations, or statistically significant findings, limiting the ability to identify effective dose ranges or timeframes. Population data were insufficient to characterize specific groups.4 beneficial4 studies
- ModeratePomegranateAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on inflammation, with two showing moderate effect sizes and one small. The evidence comes from systematic reviews covering oral health, rheumatic conditions, and athletic recovery. No consistent dose or form was reported.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowLactobacillus acidophilus La-14Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects on inflammatory markers, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate (predominantly moderate). The evidence primarily comes from reviews of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) populations and an animal model; no doses or forms were consistently reported, and none of the studies provided statistically significant results. The small evidence base and lack of significant findings limit the strength of the conclusion.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowBifidobacterium lactis Bb-02Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-02 on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The most robust evidence comes from a meta-analysis in subjects with type 2 diabetes (n=3390) showing small beneficial effects on inflammatory markers. Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary.3 beneficial3 studies
- LowLactobacillus casei PXN 37Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus casei PXN 37 on reducing inflammation, with 2 of 3 reaching statistical significance. The predominant effect size is moderate, observed primarily in patient populations with autoimmune, neurodegenerative, or depression-related conditions. Effect sizes ranged from small to moderate, and study durations were not consistently reported.3 beneficial3 studies
- Very lowLactobacillus casei rhamnosusAcross 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus on reducing inflammation, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The evidence is limited to two review articles and one animal study, with no statistically significant findings reported. The most-studied populations include women with gestational diabetes mellitus and animal models (Wistar rats), but doses and study durations were not consistently reported.3 beneficial3 studies