Turmeric Extract Found Superior To Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Turmeric Extract Found Superior To Blockbuster Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis

A promising pilot study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research from 2012 identified a safe and effective natural alternative to drug therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful and debilitating autoimmune disease that can lead to a substantial loss of mobility and function, if not properly treated. While gradual disfiguration of flexible joints in the fingers are a characteristic sign of this disorder, RA has the potential to affect many tissues and organs by contributing to chronic, systemic inflammatory activity.

Standard treatment usually involves the use of pharmacological painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs intended to suppress symptoms but not alter the underlying trajectory of the disease.  In some cases steroids and even chemotherapy class drugs like methotrexate are employed, which carry very serious and sometimes lethal side effects.

In the study titled, "A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin patients with active rheumatoid arthritis," forty-five patients diagnosed with RA were randomized into three groups with patients receiving curcumin (500 mg) and diclofenac sodium (50 mg) alone or their combination. Curcumin is the most thoroughly researched pharmacologically active component of the spice turmeric, and which gives this root its bright, saffron colored hue. Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sold under more than 100 different trade names throughout the world, e.g. Aclonac, Cataflam, Voltaren.

The primary study endpoints were reduction in Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28. The secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for reduction in tenderness and swelling of joint scores. 

Remarkably, the researchers found that while patients in all three treatment groups showed statistically significant changes in their DAS scores, the curcumin only group showed the highest percentage of improvement in overall DAS and ACR scores (ACR 20, 50 and 70) and these scores were significantly better than the patients in the diclofenac sodium group. They also noted, "More importantly, curcumin treatment was found to be safe and did not relate with any adverse events."

They concluded:"Our study provides the first evidence for the safety and superiority of curcumin treatment in patients with active RA"

Natural Factors CurcuminRich

At Abaco Health we recommend Theracumin by Natural Factors. Curcumin supplements are generally difficult to absorb. Recently Natural Factors developed Theracumin. The curcumin powder is micronized to greatly improve absorption.

Theracurmin is an advanced new formulation that unlocks the medicinal power of curcumin, the yellow pigment found in turmeric. Theracurmin is 300 times more bioavailable than regular curcumin powder, ensuring a therapeutically effective level in the blood.

Laboratory research has confirmed that curcumin can reduce inflammation, provide antioxidant protection to cells, and reduce risk factors for chronic degenerative diseases, including heart disease, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Early clinical studies found that large quantities of curcumin had to be consumed because it is poorly absorbed and rapidly excreted, but Theracurmin offers markedly improved absorption to produce better clinical results. Theracurmin is a natural extract processed using proprietary dispersion technology to create microscopic particles (100 times smaller than normal curcumin powder) dispersed in a colloidal suspension. Its safety profile has been proven in both animals and through human clinical trials. Theracurmin was chosen for Natural Factors CurcuminRich Curcumin to ensure a therapeutically effective blood level of curcumin that lasts for hours, providing potent antioxidant protection that reduces the risk of degenerative disease.

Steve with Adam

"Over the last two and half decades I have suffered with chronic neck pain and have visited many doctors and chiropractors .

I have used this product for 3 months now and the arthritis pain in my neck and knees has completely disappeared. I highly recommend this product for any kind of arthritis, or simply for preventative health. The extensive list of health benefits for Curcumin gets longer and longer!"

Steven Jones

Manager, Abaco Health Foods

 

Source for this article: GreenMedInfo