I’m a sucker for a good Instagram ad. Time and time again, I’m drawn in by the siren song of influencers promising me beauty, brains, or better sleep if I just buy this one thing. For the most part, these purchases are a bust — like the collagen syrup that tasted like mango-flavored hotdog water, or the overnight anti-aging body spray that gave me a neck rash (which is still lingering months later). And yet I persist, because once in a while, my pile of mail-order trash produces a treasure.

What initially drew me to Dose, apart from the sleek packaging and fact that it’s sold at LA cult-favorite store Erewhon, was the claim that one shot of this orange juice-flavored liquid is equal to 17 shots of cold-pressed turmeric. I’ve tried and failed to add turmeric supplements into my diet more times than I can count: My stomach sometimes feels “off” after meals, and I’ve heard that curcumin can make a positive impact on digestion and gut health. Unfortunately, I find the taste so off-putting that my gag reflex kicks in just from looking at one of those big orange capsules. 

To be clear: Dose isn’t simply a potent serving of turmeric, it’s a daily supplement for liver support made from that beloved root and dandelion, milk thistle, and ginger. I’ll be the first to admit that before I tried it, I’d never given my liver a second thought. I’ve never had a reason to worry about it, so to me, the liver was just another enigmatic organ chugging along inside the mysterious black hole that is my body. But since I was looking for a way to up my turmeric intake, I figured I’d try it — and any additional liver support would be a bonus.

Dose does have a distinctly turmeric-y hue, so I was happily shocked by the taste: The flavor is comparable to fresh-squeezed orange juice, and it’s so refreshing that my daily shot has quickly become the best part of my morning routine. 

I’ve been taking it daily for a few weeks now, and overall, I feel pretty great. That said, I take a number of other nutritional supplements, so it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact effect Dose has had on my body, besides making my mornings pleasant. So to figure out specifically what Dose does, I decided to call an expert. 

Kiran Krishnan is a microbiologist with a background in research and development in molecular medicine, and he’s an expert in the dietary supplement and nutrition market. He also happens to be the liver’s number one fan. “The liver plays a crucial role in digestion, because it processes and helps eliminate unwanted elements from what we eat, drink, and breathe,” Krishnan explains. “It’s the unsung hero of our organs, but nobody talks about it unless they’re concerned about its health.” 

That’s why Krishnan’s goal is to help people become more liver-conscious and support its overall health. Part of the problem, he explains, is that we truly are what we eat, and Americans aren’t eating especially well: “We’ve dramatically increased stress on the liver over the past 50 years,” he explains. “Refined sugar and drinking create stress on the liver, but trans fats are the worst — they’re highly stable, so they’re very difficult for the liver to break down.” (Signs your liver may need more support are easily confused with other health concerns — like low energy or brain fog — which signifies the importance of getting routine bloodwork done, to get a better picture of your health.)

With thousands of supplements on the market that promise to help ease your health concerns without clinical studies to back them up, you’re right to be wary as to whether some are just placebos with nice packaging. That’s what makes Dose stand out from the pack: The brand’s scientific advisory board conducted clinical research before putting the product on the market, to put customers’ minds at ease. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study using healthy liver participants, specific liver enzyme markers were studied over the course of six months: 88 percent saw a positive impact on ALT and SLT levels and 90 percent saw a positive impact on ALP levels. 

So what precisely is in a dose of Dose? It’s a group of four nutrients in highly bioavailable forms, designed for absorption: Milk thistle, dandelion, ginger, and of course, my old friend turmeric. The last plays a crucial role in the formula, supporting the body’s natural response to daily stressors: “Think of your liver like a mail room,” says Krishnan. “Everything that goes into your body gets filtered through your liver. Turmeric helps cleanse the liver of unwanted elements so it can continue to process stressors efficiently.”

Milk thistle, or silymarin, also supports liver health. “Milk thistle has been used for centuries to support the liver,” Krishnan explains. Ginger supports the liver more indirectly by aiding digestion and promoting which may ease bloating. Finally, dandelion root, which is rich in bitter compounds, activates receptors in the gut, supporting bile production. Together, these four ingredients offer complementary, non-overlapping benefits; as Krishnan puts it: “There’s a synergistic effect between each of those compounds, so combining them has an additive benefit.” 

Of course, Dose isn’t for everyone, and you should ask your doctor before adding any new supplement to your diet. But if you’re looking for an easy way to support your overall health, it’s a great place to start. As an expert, Krishnan can vouch that the brand has done rigorous clinical research to show that Dose’s clinically backed formula is effective in supporting liver health. And as a consumer, I can vouch that the taste alone makes it well worth the purchase. 

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed a Trademark Trial & Appeal Board decision upholding refusal of the KAHWA mark for cafés and coffee shops, holding that the doctrine of foreign equivalents was inapplicable since KAHWA has a well-established alternative English meaning. In re Bayou Grande Coffee Roasting Co., Case No. 2024-1118 (Fed. Cir. Dec. 9, 2025) (Moore, Hughes, Stoll, JJ.)

In February 2021, Bayou applied to trademark KAHWA for cafés and coffee shops, claiming use since 2008. The examiner refused, deeming the mark generic or descriptive under the doctrine of foreign equivalents, asserting that KAHWA means “coffee” in Arabic. Bayou argued that it instead refers to a specific type of Kashmiri green tea not sold in US cafés or coffee shops. The examiner upheld refusals on both grounds and denied reconsideration.

On appeal, the Board affirmed the examiner’s refusals based on the Kashmiri green tea meaning but did not address the Arabic meaning. The Board found KAHWA generic and descriptive for cafés and coffee shops due to record evidence showing relevant customers regarded KAHWA as the generic description for a type of green tea beverage, and cafés and coffee shops serve a variety of tea beverages. Bayou appealed.

The Federal Circuit first determined that the Board’s generic and merely descriptive findings based on the Kashmiri green tea meaning did not constitute new grounds of rejection. The Court also reversed the Board’s generic and merely descriptive findings based on the Kashmiri green tea meaning.

The Federal Circuit concluded that the Board’s generic finding was not supported by substantial evidence because of undisputed evidence that no café or coffee shop in the United States sells kahwa. Therefore, whether relevant customers understood KAHWA to refer to a specific type of Kashmiri green tea was insufficient to establish genericness. The Court also held that the Board’s merely descriptive finding was not supported by substantial evidence because kahwa is neither a product/feature of café and coffee shop services nor a tea variety typically offered there. Moreover, registering KAHWA would not grant Bayou rights against cafés or coffee shops merely selling kahwa, and potential future sales were irrelevant to the descriptiveness analysis.

Finally, the Federal Circuit held that because KAHWA’s undisputed English meaning is Kashmiri green tea, translation was unnecessary, and the doctrine of foreign equivalents did not apply. Under the doctrine of foreign equivalents, a foreign mark may be translated into English to evaluate it for genericness or descriptiveness. However, translation is not required when consumers would not translate, or when the mark has a well‑established alternative meaning that makes the literal translation irrelevant.

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Inflammation has become somewhat of a wellness buzzword in recent years. It’s often used as a scapegoat for a myriad of vague health problems: fatigue, bloating, acne, weight gain, brain fog. The list goes on.

If you have nonspecific, persistent symptoms, or you’re just feeling off, chances are, inflammation is the culprit — at least according to social media. On TikTok, many wellness influencers frame inflammation as an unavoidable consequence of living in the modern world.

“It’s almost like a boogeyman. … Everything is from inflammation, but it can also mean nothing a lot of the times,” Dr. Zachary Mulvihill, a physician with the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Program at NewYork-Presbyterian, tells TODAY.com.

Inflammation isn’t a new concept. It was well-recognized in ancient medicine systems, Mulvihill adds.

The recent obsession rests on the idea that if you can combat inflammation, you’ll look and feel better than ever.

As a result, there’s been a boom in products marketed to fight inflammation, including supplements. In stores and online, you’ll find vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals with claims to help with this nebulous health problem.

But do any of these supplements actually reduce inflammation, or is “anti-inflammatory” just another trendy label?

What is inflammation, why does it happen, and what does help lower it in the body? We spoke to experts about which popular anti-inflammatory supplements may have actual benefits.

What Is Inflammation?

“Generally speaking, it’s our immune system processing anything and everything,” Dr. Matthew Badgett, a primary care physician specializing in integrative medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, tells TODAY.com.

Inflammation is your body’s protective response against injury, infection and illness. Its purpose is to eliminate invaders, like bacteria, viruses, allergens and toxins, and clear out any damage so the repair process can begin, says Badgett.

The inflammatory response does this by increasing blood flow, which causes swelling, redness and heat, Dr. Natalie Azar, a rheumatologist at NYU Langone Health and NBC News medical contributor, tells TODAY.com. (Think of a red, puffy cut.)

Then the body sends out first responders — white blood cells and inflammatory cells called cytokines — which trigger the liver to produce substances called C-reactive proteins or CRP, explains Badgett. These all help the body recover and rebuild.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation

“Inflammation isn’t always bad,” says Azar. Acute inflammation is a sign our immune system is working. Once we’re healed, this response shuts off — usually.

Inflammation becomes problematic when it continues for too long after the body recovers or occurs in the absence of injury and illness, per the Mayo Clinic.

Chronic, low-grade inflammation can build up over time, damaging healthy tissues in nearly all parts of the body. It’s a factor in developing many diseases, says Azar, including diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.

“Chronic inflammation is more complex,” says Azar.

How to Tell If You Have Inflammation

The symptoms of acute inflammation are usually obvious; you can see your finger swell up after jamming, for example.

Chronic inflammation, however, is often less noticeable. “It’s super complicated,” says Mulvihill. For this reason, it’s difficult to measure, Badget adds.

There isn’t one test to measure inflammation, but doctors can check the blood for levels of inflammatory markers. “There’s a blood test for C-reactive protein. When it’s really high, we may think autoimmune diseases and infections,” says Badgett. But interpreting these results isn’t clear-cut.

Elevated CRP levels are associated with a number of diseases, but these tests aren’t diagnostic. “Why an individual’s inflammatory markers are high can be really tricky to figure out,” says Badgett.

The root cause of chronic inflammation is the immune system not shutting off its inflammatory response, which is often related to lifestyle factors. These include poor diet, lack of exercise, not sleeping, smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and stress.

How to lower inflammation varies depending on a person’s underlying health, lifestyle and medical conditions.

Do Anti-Inflammatory Supplements Work?

“The problem with all these supplements is they have limited evidence, or … some studies show some benefit and some don’t,” says Badgett.

Because inflammation is difficult to measure, this can make it hard to study the effectiveness of specific supplements.

“I think social media and the supplement industry simplifies the message that there’s all this inflammation and you can reduce it with one supplement,” says Badgett.

There is some promising research, but it’s often condition-specific, Mulviihill notes. Here’s which popular supplements may help with chronic inflammation associated with conditions.

Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)

Fish oil has been studied for many inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, says Azar. The star nutrient is omega-3 fatty acid, known for being anti-inflammatory and protective for heart health.

“Fish oil is probably the only one that has a substantial body of evidence,” says Mulvihill.

Omega-3s may help block sources of inflammation, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

A 2019 meta-analysis found that omega-3 fatty acids are associated with improvements in inflammatory biomarkers in patients with diabetes and heart disease. Of 20 clinical trials involving rheumatoid arthritis, almost all found that fish oil helped reduce joint pain and swelling, says Azar.

But, “it doesn’t mean that every single person who thinks they have inflammation should just take fish oil,” says Mulvihill.

The biggest benefit is for those who have a diet lacking in fatty fish, a natural source of omega-3s. “If you’re eating fish three or four times a week, you’re unlikely to get a reduction in inflammation from fish oil,” Badgett adds.

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that’s been used in cooking and medicine for thousands of years, says Mulvihill.

Curcumin, the biologically active compound in turmeric, is often touted for inflammation, joint pain and heart health, per the National Institutes of Health.

That’s because curcumin may help block inflammatory cytokines and enzymes, says Azar. Turmeric may lower CRP blood levels, help improve arthritis outcomes and reduce flares for people with autoimmune diseases, Badgett adds.

According to a 2021 systematic review, there’s good evidence that turmeric can help reduce the inflammatory response in patients with arthritis, IBD and psoriasis.

“But a lot of times, people over-emphasize the benefit of this one anti-inflammatory compound,” Badgett adds.

While turmeric may show promise for fighting inflammation, especially in arthritis patients, it’s also one of the riskiest supplements you can take, TODAY.com previously reported.

“Turmeric is very condition specific. A lot of people are misusing it,” says Mulvihill.

Ginger

Ginger, another potent herb, is a popular for inflammation and digestive health.

There’s some evidence ginger has anti-inflammatory compounds similar to ibuprofen, and research shows it may help switch off certain inflammatory genes, says Azar.

A 2022 review of research found that ginger shows efficacy against several inflammatory diseases, and may help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and lupus — but more research is needed, the authors wrote.

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 70 Type 2 diabetes patients over three months, ginger improved insulin sensitivity and reduced CRP levels.

However, you won’t reap these anti-inflammatory benefits from ginger overnight. “If you’re really trying to reduce chronic inflammation, this is a supplement you should be taking for a long time,” says Badgett.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that supports strong bones, healthy immune function, and it may have anti-inflammatory properties, the experts note.

“There is some evidence that Vitamin D reduces inflammation and lowers high CRP a little bit,” says Badgett.

According to a 2024 study, vitamin D may help with the management of metabolic disorders. However, the research on vitamin D for inflammation tends to be more limited and mixed, Mulvihill adds.

Studies show a vitamin D deficiency is associated with several inflammatory diseases, but it’s unclear if the deficiency contributes to developing these diseases or it’s a symptom, according to a 2014 meta-analysis.

“If you have good vitamin D levels, I don’t think more vitamin D is going to lower your CRP or inflammation,” says Badgett.

Who Should Take Anti-Inflammatory Supplements?

People with conditions linked to chronic inflammation may benefit from taking fish oil, turmeric, ginger or vitamin D as directed by a health care provider.

“In the supplement world, I’d say fish oil is No. 1 and turmeric is No. 2,” Mulvihill adds.

Always talk to your doctor before starting supplements to determine which type and dosing regimen is appropriate.

“Part of it is finding the shortcomings in a patient’s diet and lifestyle that a supplement will actually help,” says Badgett.

Anti-Inflammatory Supplement Risks

Although supplements are often marketed as the more natural alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs, they can still have a powerful impact on the body. Many cause unpleasant side effects and interact with other medications, the experts warn.

Fish oil is generally safe in moderation, says Mulvihill, but getting too much can cause excessive bleeding, per the Mayo Clinic.

Turmeric can act as a blood thinner, says Azar, and should be avoided if you take anti-coagulants or are pregnant. In high doses, turmeric can cause liver injury or failure, Mulvihill warns.

“Ginger can also interfere with medications for blood thinning, and it should not be used if you have gallstones,” says Azar.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means any excess is stored in the body. High doses can lead to vitamin D toxicity, which can cause organ failure, TODAY.com reported previously.

What Works to Lower Inflammation?

Lifestyle factors often fuel chronic inflammation. While supplements may fill gaps, they can’t make up for unhealthy habits.

“Eating a lot of processed, unhealthy foods, smoking cigarettes, drinking a lot of alcohol, stress are obviously very inflammatory … and those are the elephant in the room we need to address (first),” says Mulvihill.

Ultimately, the intervention with the most compelling evidence for reducing inflammation is a healthy diet.

“It’s diet where the average American has the most room for improvement, especially for inflammation,” Badgett adds.

An anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, prioritizes whole, unprocessed foods rich in nutrients that can help lower inflammation, says Mulvihill.

These include olive oil and fatty fish, such as salmon, rich sources of omega-3s. Vegetables and fruits provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory plant compounds, like polyphenols, says Azar.

Whole grains and legumes are some of the healthiest carbs you can eat, and nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats and protein.

An anti-inflammatory diet is also high in dietary fiber. Fiber intake is consistently associated with reducing inflammatory markers, says Badgett, and it helps healthy gut bacteria flourish.

Getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly and managing stress are also key steps to reducing inflammation.

“I always say, supplements are here to supplement your diet and lifestyle,” Mulvihill says.