Rheumatoid arthritis, commonly referred to as RA, is a type of arthritis that may lead to severe disability. It occurs when the immune system attacks joints, causing pain, inflammation and stiffness. It may eventually destroy the entire joint. RA is usually treated with medicines that help to alleviate inflammation and pain and slow disease progression. The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society states that RA treatment should begin within six months of disease onset to minimize joint damage. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, may help to alleviate joint inflammation, but evidence to prove it works is limited. Don't use curcumin in place of prescription treatments.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric, a spice commonly used to flavor dishes. A member of the ginger family of plants, turmeric is sometimes used as a medicinal remedy for a number of ailments including high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that curcumin confers anti-inflammatory effects, therefore, turmeric also is used as a complementary treatment in conditions characterized by inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis.
Administration
Turmeric is commonly supplied as a powder, but Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that it is frequently taken in a form standardized according to its curcumin content. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 400 mg of a standardized extract of turmeric three times daily to help reduce RA-associated pain and inflammation. This dose is only intended as a guideline. Ask your health care provider if it is right for you.
Scientific Evidence
Clinical studies evaluating the role of curcumin in the treatment of RA are lacking. However, research findings published in the March 2006 issue of the "Journal of Natural Products" show that the turmeric's curcuminoid compounds, one of which is curcumin, help to reduce joint inflammation and may have anti-arthritic effects. However, the study was carried out in an animal model of RA, not in people with this condition.
Safety Considerations
Taking turmeric as a source of curcumin is unlikely to cause any serious adverse effects, according to RxList. However, it may cause mild side effects like nausea and diarrhea. It may have a blood-thinning effect, so don't take turmeric alongside anticoagulants or if you suffer from a bleeding disorder. Also avoid medicinal quantities of turmeric if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have gallbladder disease.
References
- The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society; What Is RA?; Gabriel Panayi; July 2003
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Turmeric
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- "Journal of Natural Products"; Turmeric Extracts Containing Curcuminoids Prevent Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis; J.L. Funk et al., March 2006
- RxList: Turmeric
