Eating Turmeric May Help Knee Arthritis and Other Joint Pain
Arthritis is the most common joint disorder in the United States, and knees are often the first joints affected by the condition. Almost 20 percent of Americans report some degree of knee pain, according to figures published in 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pain can range from mild stiffness to levels that are nearly disabling.
Recent studies have found that turmeric, a flavorful spice popular in Indonesia, may help relieve joint pain. The spice is popular in South Asian medicine but is mainly used in food in the United States and not as a medication.
Experts say that there is increasingly clear evidence that the active ingredient in turmeric may have health benefits and it is much better than the conventional drug.
“It is widely believed that curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. And for this reason, it’s frequently used as a supplement by many people to help with joint symptoms,” Dr. Nagendra Gupta, FACP, CPE, an internist at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, told Healthline.
As effective as an anti-inflammatory drug
A study publishedTrusted Source in the medical journal Trials compared the effectiveness of turmeric to that of an anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac.
The randomized trial gave 139 patients with knee pain either a 500-milligram (mg) capsule of curcumin three times a day or a 50-mg diclofenac pill twice daily. Scientists found that both groups experienced significant pain relief.
“Curcumin has similar efficacy to diclofenac but demonstrated better tolerance among patients with knee OA. Curcumin can be an alternative treatment option in the patients with knee OA who are intolerant to the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” the study authors wrote.
More effective than placebo
In another study, published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers at the University of Australia in Tasmania assigned 70 participants, over age 40, with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and swelling diagnosed by ultrasound, to receive either 1000 mg per day of turmeric or a placebo.
After 12 weeks, the randomly controlled placebo trial found that an extract of turmeric was more effective than a placebo in reducing knee pain in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Those taking turmeric reported significantly less knee pain at the end of the study, according to the standardized questionnaire.
Turmeric is effective and not toxic
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a frequently used spice in South Asian foods like curries, and it can add a warm orange or yellow color to meats and rice dishes. It also has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine.
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, and research finds that it “has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties.”
Curcumin, unlike some NSAIDs, has also been determined to be nontoxic. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, taken in excess can cause symptoms that include convulsions, coma, and acute renal (kidney) failure.
The bottom line
If you want to try using turmeric to treat joint pain, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor first to make sure it won’t interact with medications you’re already taking.
If you're looking for drink supplements for your arthritis that is organic and tastes delicious, consider drinking Djamu daily. Its main ingredients are organic turmeric, organic ginger, raw honey, and organic lemon. You can get more info at www.djamu.nyc. In addition to lowering inflammation, a more natural, less processed diet such as Djamu, can have noticeable effects on your physical and emotional health.
Source:
Healthline (Written by George Citroner on September 17, 2020 — Fact checked by Jennifer Chesak)
