Arthritis is a general term describing an inflammation of the joints. Among all the known forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common form, affecting over 10 million Americans, according to the American Arthritis Society. Arthritis is most commonly diagnosed in individuals 45 years of age or older, and is affecting mainly weight bearing joints of the body, like hip or knee joints. Turmeric is a natural supplement recommend by alternative health care practitioners for pain associated with osteoarthritis. Some research studies found turmeric beneficial for osteoarthritis, especially in combination with standard drugs however further studies are needed to fully confirm these benefits. If you have osteoarthritis and consider talking turmeric, talk to your doctor first
Research
Turmeric was found effective in providing pain relief in osteoarthritis of the knee, according to a study conducted by an Italian research team, published in the September 2010 issue of "Medical News Today." The study involved 50 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of either one or both knees. The patients were divided into two groups; one group received the standard medical treatment for osteoarthritis, while the other group added the curcumin, an extract derived from turmeric. After 90 days, it was observed that the patients using turmeric in addition to conventional drugs had 58 percent decrease in symptoms, especially pain and stiffness of joints as compared to the group who received conventional drugs alone.
In addition the authors found a 16 percent decrease of a marker of inflammation named C-reactive protein in individuals who used turmeric during the study. Moreover, the turmeric group was also able to reduce their dependence on prescribed pain killers to 63 percent as compared to the control who used only standard treatment.
Dosage
For pain relief in osteoarthritis, the recommended dosage of curcumin powder is 400 to 600 mg, three times a day. The dosage of dried, powdered root of turmeric is 1 to 3 g daily. This dosage may be adjusted if your physician decides to add other natural supplements for arthritic pain. Over dosage of turmeric may cause stomach discomfort and peptic ulcers.
Side Effects
Turmeric may lower the blood sugar levels and thus should be used cautiously, especially by those who have osteoarthritis associated with diabetes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid this supplement as the safety of turmeric during pregnancy is not fully assessed.
Considerations
If you suffer from osteoarthritis and wish to use turmeric supplements for pain relief, consult a qualified health care provider to find out the exact dosage of turmeric that you need. Keep in mind that turmeric was not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat any medical condition.
