The active curcuminoid ingredients in turmeric can reduce inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, uveitis, and other autoimmune disorders.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a flowering plant in the ginger family, has been long used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent, a remedy for digestive disorders and liver problems, and as an effective treatment for skin diseases and wound healing. Today, in a large number of scientific studies, turmeric is being investigated in the United States for these medicinal properties, particularly its ability to reduce inflammation in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease.
In addition, in one study, turmeric was also found to improve symptoms in the autoimmune eye disorder uveitis. In this study turmeric was shown to be as effective as corticosteroids but free of the side effects commonly associated with steroids.
Turmeric is native to Asia, where it grows as a perennial flowering plant. The aboveground and underground roots are used to produce turmeric powder for medicinal and food uses. With its distinct golden hue, turmeric is used as a food color and as a spice or flavor enhancer. Of note, turmeric is one of the principle ingredients in curry powder. The active ingredient in turmeric is a substance known as curcumin, which belongs to the family of curcuminoid compounds.
Although among Western researchers curcumin has only recently been studied in humans, it has been widely studied in animals for its protective effect on the liver, anti-tumor action, anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to fight infections. In contrast, in Ayurvedic medicine turmeric has been studied and used as a medicinal agent for thousands of years. A teaspoon of turmeric poweder in a cup of warm milk used three times daily has long been considered an effective Ayurvedic treatment for colds and influenza.
Because of its ability to induce bile flow, curcumin helps break down fats and increases the production of stomach acids. For this reason, turmeric should not be used in people diagnosed with gallstones or obstruction of the bile passages unless prescribed by a qualified practitioner.
Turmeric and Arthritis
A research study funded by the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has explored the use of turmeric for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition affecting two million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most common of the autoimmune rheumatologic disorders, is characterized by joint swelling, pain, stiffness and a progressive loss of joint function.
In this study, conducted at the NCCAM-funded Center for Phytomedicine Research at the University of Arizona, researchers created symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in laboratory rats that mimicked those seen in humans. Some of the rats were treated before developing inflammation and some were treated after inflammation developed with different preparations and dosages of turmeric extracts.
Results suggest that the most improvement, measured in terms of joint swelling, occurred in the rats given an extract containing only curcuminoids, the major components of turmeric, as opposed to more complex extracts containing curcuminoids plus other turmeric compounds (similar to commercially available supplements). The study's lead researcher, Dr. Janet Funk, noted that the curcuminoids-only formula also appeared safer and more effective at lower doses. Dr. Funk also noted greater effectiveness in the rats that were treated before signs of inflammation developed.
Dosage and Precautions
The usual recommended dose is 400-600 mg daily of turmeric tablets or capsules taken three times daily or as directed on the product label. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends products labeled as standard curcuminoids, cautioning that it can take up to two months before results are observed.
Turmeric should not be used in pregnancy and in patients with gallstones or bile duct obstructions unless it is under the advise of their physicians. The Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland cautions that while herbs are effective in strengthening the body and treating disease, they contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For this reason, they recommend that herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine. And while turmeric and curcumin are considered safe at recommended doses, they may produce stomach upset, and, used in very high doses, ulcers.
Resources:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, http://nccam.nih.gov
Researchers study turmeric and rheumatoid arthritis, InFocus publication of the Autoimmune and Related Disorders Association, December 2006.
Turmeric, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Turmericch.html
Dr. Andrew Weil Question and Answer Library, http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QA/QA142972/
The copyright of the article Turmeric in Autoimmune Disease is owned by Elaine Moore. Permission to republish Turmeric in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
At the advice of a doctor friend, I starting taking Tumeric for some knee
pain. After taking 500 mg every other day with a meal, the pain went away
within one week.
Oct 1, 2008 5:35 PM
Guest :
I have used Turmeric caps to treat inflammation in my knees and have found
it helpful. I often take 9 caps a day to keep the swelling down. It has
also helped my chronic lower back pain. I wonder if anyone knows whether it
has blood-thining properties, since I am scheduled for surgery and am to
stop N-SAIDs etc.
Oct 28, 2008 7:35 PM
Guest :
Please provide the full citation for the study reference above in this
uote: "In addition, in one study, turmeric was also found to
improve symptoms in the autoimmune eye disorder uveitis. In this study
turmeric was shown to be as effective as corticosteroids but free of the
side effects commonly associated with steroids."
Jan 26, 2009 11:44 AM
Guest :
Here is the full citation: Lal,B., Kapoor, A. K., Asthana, O. P.,
Agrawal, P. K., Prasad, R., Kumar, P., & Srimal, R. C. (1999). Efficacy
of curcumin in the management of chronic anterior uveitis. Phytotherapy
Research, 13(4), 318- 22.
Feb 5, 2009 1:52 PM
Guest :
Is there any follow-up on the study showing tumeric effect for uveitis?
what is the recommended dose of tumeric for uveitis?
Feb 5, 2009 8:28 PM
Elaine Moore :
Re: dosage for Turmeric
Efficacy of curcumin in the management
of chronic anterior uveitis Auteur(s) / Author(s) LAL B. (1) ;
KAPOOR A. K. (2) ; ASTHANA O. P. (3) ; AGRAWAL P. K. (1) ; PRASAD R. (4) ;
KUMAR P. (3) ; SRIMAL R. C. (5) ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs /
Author(s) Affiliation(s) (1) Department of Ophthalmology, K.G. Medical
College, Lucknow - 226003, INDE (2) Department of Pathology, K.G.
Medical College, Lucknow - 226003, INDE (3) Central Drug Research
Institute, Lucknow - 226001, INDE (4) Department of Tuberculosis, K.G.
Medical College, Lucknow - 226003, INDE (5) Industrial Toxicology
Research Centre, Lucknow - 226001, INDE Résumé / Abstract Curcumin, obtained from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, was administered
orally to patients suffering from chronic anterior uveitis (CAU) at a dose
of 375 mg three times a day for 12 weeks. Of 53 patients enrolled, 32
completed the 12-week study. They were divided into two groups: one group
of 18 patients received curcumin alone, whereas the other group of 14
patients, who had a strong PPD reaction, in addition received
antitubercular treatment. The patients in both the groups started improving
after 2 weeks of treatment. All the patients who received curcumin alone
improved, whereas the group receiving antitubercular therapy along with
curcumin had a response rate of 86%. Follow up of all the patients for the
next 3 years indicated a recurrence rate of 55% in the first group and of
36% in the second group. Four of 18 (22%) patients in the first group and 3
of 14 patients (21%) in the second group lost their vision in the follow up
period due to various complications in the eyes, e.g. vitritis, macular
oedema, central venous block, cataract formation, glaucomatous optic nerve
damage etc. None of the patients reported any side effect of the drug. The
efficacy of curcumin and recurrences following treatment are comparable to
corticosteroid therapy which is presently the only available standard
treatment for this disease. The lack of side effects with curcumin is its
greatest advantage compared with corticosteroids. A double blind
multi-centric clinical trial with this drug in CAU is highly desirable to
further validate the results of the present study. Revue / Journal
Title PTR. Phytotherapy research ISSN 0951-418X Source /
Source 1999, vol. 13, no4, pp. 318-322 (37 ref.) Langue /
Language
Aug 31, 2009 10:37 AM
Elaine Moore :
Hi, Since you don't have gallstones, it should be ok to take turmeric,
but you might want to check with your pharmacist if you're on other meds to
make sure there aren't any potentially harmful interactions. Thanks for
sharing! Best, Elaine
Sep 26, 2009 9:48 PM
Guest :
I saw a dentist for a loose filling and he found out that the nerves of my
affected molar were already exposed. What he found remarkable was that
there was no infection, no symptom of pain which is usual for my case.
Instead, he described the gums as having seem to change to protect and
cover the exposed nerves. During the emergency root canal operation, I
experienced very little pain and healed quite fast. The day following the
operation, I asked the doctor if I could stop taking ibuprofen as there was
no more pain.
When asked, the only reason for the lack of pain,
infection or inflammation was the fact that I have been taking about half a
teaspoon of turmeric daily in my scrambled eggs, or rice as part of the
anti-cancer diet espoused by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber in his book,
Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life.
Although the evidence is
anecdotal at best, it seems to corroborate research on the effectiveness of
turmeric in the treatment of inflammation.
Sep 29, 2009 6:17 AM
Elaine Moore :
Hi, thanks for the information on turmeric helping prevent dental
pain. What you've described are its remarkable anti-inflammatory
properties. I'll definitely be taking more. Best, Elaine
Oct 25, 2009 4:15 AM
Guest :
guest,
I am a student and I am curious about the turmeric's
medicinal purposes. can I have a full information why does turmeric
should not be used in people diagnosed with gallstones and obstruction of
the bile...because this past years my mother is using this turmeric...thank
you.
sincerely,
guest
Oct 25, 2009 1:29 PM
Elaine Moore :
Turmeric is generally safe and effective. However, because it stimulates
the secretion of bile from the gallbladder, it shouldn't be used in
gallbladder disease or when there is bile obstruction. best, elaine
