Does Turmeric Reduce Inflammation?

Curcuma longa, or turmeric, has been used for centuries by Chinese and Ayurvedic physicians to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions. The primary active constituent of turmeric, and the agent responsible for its striking yellow-orange color, is curcumin. This compound has been attributed with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Whether or not these biochemical properties translate into measurable benefits in humans has been a topic for debate and active research.

Poor Bioavailability

One of the main concerns surrounding turmeric's use for treating inflammatory disorders in humans is its inefficient absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, coupled with a fairly rapid metabolism and elimination of the active ingredients that do reach your bloodstream. However, even though its poor bioavailability is confirmed in a 2007 "Molecular Pharmaceutics" review, curcumin has demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness against human cancer, arthritis, heart disease and other inflammatory diseases.

Anticancer Activity

Unlike many chemotherapeutic agents currently used to treat cancer, curcumin is nontoxic, according to cancer experts at the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles. Even though curcumin has not been shown to cure cancer, it inhibits tumor growth through a multitude of biochemical effects, including DNA protection, suppression of so-called oncogenes that drive a cancer's growth, and inhibition of blood vessel development within tumors. Many of these effects are modulated by curcumin's anti-inflammatory activity, but it also exerts direct effects on gene expression and other cellular activities that are relevant to cancer development.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

According to a 2011 "Inflammation" study, curcumin from turmeric exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in animal models designed to mimic rheumatoid arthritis in humans. In fact, curcumin outperformed indomethacin, a widely prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, at reducing the severity of inflammation in the joints of arthritic rats. The study's authors noted that curcumin exerted its anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines while simultaneously increasing the synthesis of chemicals that led to resolution of tissue inflammation.

Considerations

Curcumin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anticancer and antioxidant activities in scientific studies. Its therapeutic use could be limited by its poor bioavailability in humans, although some trials have shown clinical benefit despite this observation. Furthermore, some scientists are combining curcumin with other agents, such as pepper extracts, to increase blood levels of curcumin. Although there is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of curcumin for treating or preventing any condition, this agent holds promise for a multitude of applications, including arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, obesity and other inflammatory conditions. Ask your doctor if turmeric is appropriate for you.