Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by acute pain and inflammation of one of the body's joints, usually the big toe. Often associated with heavy alcohol consumption and a diet rich in foods with a high-purine content, gout occurs when the waste product uric acid forms crystals in the joints. If you regularly suffer from gout attacks, reduce your alcohol intake and cut out purine-rich foods. Your doctor also might prescribe anti-inflammatories to ease pain. Spices such as cinnamon and turmeric also might help to alleviate inflammation, although scientific evidence to prove they relieve gout is lacking. Consult your doctor before using medicinal quantities of these spices.
Examples
Turmeric is commonly used to flavor hot dishes such as curries, but also might have medicinal properties. Sometimes is used as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions, it contains a host of active compounds, including volatile oils and a compound called curcumin, which together might exert anti-inflammatory effects and help to alleviate inflammation associated with various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and gout. Like turmeric, cinnamon is most commonly used as a flavoring agent, although hydroxycinnamaldehyde, a compound found in cinnamon, might exert anti-inflammatory effects.
Administration
The underground stem and roots of the turmeric plant are used to make herbal preparations. It is usually supplied as a loose powder, but also is available in capsule or tablet form for convenience. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 300 mg may be taken three times daily to help reduce inflammation; however, this is a general guideline, so consult a health care professional before taking this amount to ensure it is appropriate for you. Guidance regarding the amount of cinnamon required to reduce inflammation is lacking, but your doctor might be able to advise you on a suitable dose.
Effectiveness
Clinical studies evaluating turmeric's role in the treatment of gout are lacking, so it is impossible to say for certain whether turmeric is an effective remedy for gout sufferers. However, an analysis of preclinical and clinical data published in the June 2009 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review" notes that one of turmeric's active ingredients, curcumin, might have potential as a therapeutic agent for arthritis. Studies looking at the therapeutic effects of cinnamon on gout are equally lacking, although the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Center notes that it is sometimes used to treat arthritis.
Safety Considerations
MedlinePlus states that turmeric is likely safe for most people, although it adds that it might cause mild side effects including nausea or diarrhea. Avoid using medicinal quantities of turmeric if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have gallbladder disease. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that tumeric might inhibit the action of some chemotherapeutic drugs, so don't use this spice if you are undergoing cancer treatment. Avoid cinnamon if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer like breast or ovarian cancer. Keep in mind that it might boost the effects of other drugs you might be taking, including diabetes medicines and anticoagulants.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Turmeric
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cinnamon
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Curcumin, a Major Constituent of Curcuma Longa: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Research; J.S. Jurenka; June 2009
- MedlinePlus: Turmeric
