Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It is characterized by inflammation of the intestinal tissue, which may trigger a variety of symptoms including poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. There is no cure for Crohn's but anti-inflammatory medicines, such as sulfasalazine and mesalamine, help to reduce symptoms and may bring about disease remission. The spice turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin that may have anti-inflammatory effects, which might help to alleviate Crohn's symptoms. Evidence proving its effectiveness, however, is limited. Do not use it in place of medical treatments, and consult your doctor before taking this or any herb or supplement.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Turmeric, a spice commonly used to flavor dishes, may also possess medicinal effects. It's sometimes used as a complementary treatment for numerous conditions, including cancer, infection and stomach problems. Its active ingredient, a curcuminoid compound known as curcumin, may exert anti-inflammatory effects. For this reason turmeric is often employed as a treatment for conditions characterized by inflammation, including inflammatory bowel disorders. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it may exert these effects by inhibiting inflammatory chemicals known as leukotrienes.
Administration
Turmeric is supplied as a loose powder, but you may be able to obtain it in capsules or tablets at your health food store. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 1 g to 2 g daily is sometimes used to alleviate Crohn's-related inflammation. However, this is a general guideline. Consult your doctor for an appropriate dose for your condition.
Effectiveness
Few clinical studies have examined the role of curcumin in the treatment of Crohn's disease. However, the results of a small study published in the November 2005 issue of "Digestive Diseases and Sciences" show that curcumin improved Crohn's symptoms in four of five patients. Research findings published in the March 2010 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition" show that curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory effects in intestinal tissue, leading the authors to conclude that it is may hold promise in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Safety Considerations
Turmeric is listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "generally recognized as safe list" and is unlikely to cause side effects except perhaps nausea and diarrhea, according to RxList. Don't use medicinal amounts if you have gallbladder disease or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Get medical advice before using turmeric if you are using anticoagulants, for example, ibuprofen or aspirin, as turmeric may heighten their effects.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Turmeric
- "Digestive Diseases and Sciences"; Curcumin Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Study; P.R. Holt et al.; November 2005
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Curcumin Suppresses p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation, Reduces IL-1 Beta and Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 and Enhances IL-10 in the Mucosa of Children and Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease; J. Epstein et al.; March 2010
- RxList: Tumeric
