As many as 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with some form of lupus, with the largest majority being systemic lupus erythematosus, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Though there is no cure for lupus, there is medication that is able to treat symptoms and slow down possible progression. However, as many as 38 percent of Americans are turning to alternative therapy in addition to traditional treatment, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Many of these alternative therapies include the use of herbs such as turmeric. Always work with your doctor to determine what, if any, supplements are right for you.
Turmeric
Turmeric, or curcumin, is a plant that is widely used as a spice in traditional curry dishes and is grown primarily in India and other parts of Asia. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric is used to treat digestive and liver conditions, arthritis pain, irregular menstrual periods, heartburn, stomach ulcers and gallstones and is even used to prevent and treat certain types of cancer. It has natural anti-inflammatory qualities as well as blood-thinning properties.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects women, and symptoms usually develop between the ages of 15 and 44. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, there are four types of lupus: cutaneous, or skin; systemic lupus erythematosus; drug-induced erythematosus; and neonatal lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and accounts for 70 percent of those diagnosed with lupus, notes the foundation. Lupus affects the skin, joints and organs within your body and occurs when your immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy cells within your body. There is no cure for lupus, though symptoms can be treated with medications.
Medical Research
Numerous studies have looked into the connection between autoimmune diseases like lupus and various herbs and supplements like turmeric. A 2009 study published in "The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology" reports that curcumin, an antioxidant that is an active ingredient in turmeric, has shown to play a major role in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as lupus. A 2007 study published in "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology" showed that turmeric was able to inhibit autoimmune diseases and that further research needs to be conducted in order to determine a precise dose for the treatment of diseases like lupus.
Considerations
While turmeric is usually safe when used as a spice in cooking, using it as a dietary supplement to treat any type of illness should not be done without first consulting your physician. While turmeric is safe, you need to use caution if you take medications such as Coumadin to thin your blood. Because turmeric is a natural blood thinner, taking it together with Coumadin can increase your risks of bleeding and bruising. Let your physician know if you use turmeric in your regular diet as he may need to adjust your Coumadin prescription.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States; December 2008
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Turmeric; July 2010
- Lupus Foundation of America: Understanding Lupus
- Lupus Foundation of America: What Is Lupus
- "The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology"; Potential Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin, the Anti-inflammatory Agent, Against Neurodegenerative, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Metabolic, Autoimmune and Neoplastic Diseases; B.B. Aggarwal and K.B. Harikumar; January 2009
- "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology"; Curcumin and Autoimmune Disease; J.J. Bright; 2007
