Is there a role for turmeric/curcumin supplements in treatment of arthritis?
- rossmba2007
- Jan 25, 2022
- 2 min read
Yes, turmeric/curcumin supplements can be used in combination with pharmacological medications as part of a true integrative approach to treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Turmeric also known as “Indian Solid Gold” is a dietary supplement that has steadily gained popularity since the 1990s for its medical benefits. It is a gold colored spice that comes from the curcuma longa root native to India. Curcuma longa is part of the ginger root family.
Turmeric is a staple in Indian cooking and gives a yellow hue to many Indian delicacies. Turmeric has been used medicinally for over 5,000 years in Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent. It is used in Ayurveda topically for skin disorders such as psoriasis and orally as food and as tablets.
There have been numerous studies of turmeric in the US investigating turmeric’s properties as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibiotic and anticancer agent. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric is involved in multiple physiological mechanisms that lead to reduction in inflammation.
A 2017 study of curcumin in RA patients showed improvement in multiple components of RA including in inflammatory markers, symptoms and physical examination findings. A systemic review of available data on curcumin published in 2021 showed that curcumin supplements in doses of 250-1500 mg per day over 8-12 weeks reduced inflammatory markers in patient with rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. A previous systemic review in 2016 had provided scientific evidence for efficacy of turmeric extract (about 1000 mg per day of curcumin) in reducing the symptoms of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Arthritis Foundation recommends a dose of curcumin extract 500 mg capsules twice a day to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. If tolerated, higher doses up to 1000 mg twice a day is felt to be especially good for autoimmune inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.
As a spice, turmeric at higher doses can cause upset stomach and thus dose should be adjusted to the tolerance of the specific individual. High doses of turmeric can also act as a blood thinner and thus should be taken with care when used with prescription blood thinners.
Turmeric tablets or curcumin extracts should be used as part of an integrative approach to traditional allopathic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, addition of turmeric/curcumin can help reduce amount of pharmacological immunosuppressive medications needed to obtain control of disease activity.
Since the supplement industry is closely regulated, it is often difficult to determine the authenticity of supplements including turmeric and curcumin extracts on the store shelves. A recent article in Consumer Reports recommended that consumers check the supplement details from a third party company, Consumerlab.com, which tests most turmeric and curcumin extracts on the market.
References:
2017 RA study - https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2017.3930
https://www.consumerreports.org/turmeric-supplement/turmeric-inflammation-a1205144105/
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