A new study published in the November 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, examined the effect and mechanism of turmeric, a botanical supplement long thought to have anti-inflammatory properties on rheumatoid arthritis.

This study suggests that turmeric may be useful in fighting inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis as well as other diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and asthma.

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry it’s distinctive flavor and color and is also used in making mustard and pickles. Turmeric comes from the root of the curcuma longa plant and is related to ginger.

While it has many medicinal uses, perhaps its greatest potential lies in its ability to reduce inflammation due to osteoarthritis – those everyday aches and pains in the joints that affect more than 12.1% of the American population.

This finding has been backed up in double blind trials which found turmeric to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that work similarly to medicines like Celebrex, which naturally inhibits COX-2,” [an enzyme that hinders the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which cause the pain and swelling of arthritis], agrees Neena E. Thomas-Eapen, MD, assistant professor of family medicine and associate director of the University of North Dakota Center for Family Medicine in Minot, North Dakota.

“For conditions like arthritis for which we usually use anti-inflammatory medicines, I recommend turmeric for patients who are interested in a natural option. And I encourage them to use turmeric liberally as a spice whenever they can,” Dr. Thomas-Eapen says.

How can turmeric benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms?

Turmeric contains an active constituent called curcumin. Curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory properties which are great for rheumatoid arthritis.

Some researchers believe that turmeric has the potential to be more effective than cortisone or other steroids.

Turmeric contains substances called cyclooxygenase inhibitors. These substances help stop inflammation and stiffness in your joints from rheumatoid arthritis.

In fact, recent studies have shown turmeric works almost as well as ibuprofen for pain and stiffness relief…with none of the side effects.

Clinical studies have substantiated curcumin anti-inflammatory effects, including a significant beneficial effect in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In one study, curcumin was compared to phenylbutazone, a very potent NSAID that has fallen out of favor because of frequent side effects. The improvements in the duration of morning stiffness, walking time, and joint swelling were comparable in both groups.

Initial results showed that a version of turmeric extract that was free of essential oils had a significant impact on rheumatoid arthritis and most closely matched the composition of commercially available supplements. This version was used in subsequent experiments and was shown to prevent acute and chronic rheumatoid arthritis, even when it was administered after arthritis had been induced. In addition, turmeric significantly inhibited joint destruction due to rheumatoid arthritis, and inhibited NF-?B, a protein that controls the gene expression of substances that produce an inflammatory response. Turmeric also altered the expression of hundreds of genes involved in joint swelling and destruction and prevented an increase in osteoclasts (cells that break down bone) in joints.

Conclusion:

If you suffer from ANY form of arthritis, start taking a turmeric supplement today! Taking a good quality turmeric-curcumin supplement product can have significant impact on your arthritis symptoms.

Turmeric Absorption issues

Test tube studies reveal consistently positive results with Turmeric , but it’s just not absorbed very well by the body. Decades worth of research indicate that this potential superstar has relatively poor bioavailability.

Even though studies on turmeric and arthritis have shown that the herb is effective on Rheumatoid Arthritis, there is the problem of bio-availability of curcumin. Curcumin is not easily absorbed into the blood stream because it is mostly destroyed by the stomach acid before it gets to the small intestines.

In order for curcumin to be maximally effective against Rheumatoid Arthritis, it MUST be introduced into the body in a bioavailable form. Turmeric is a fat-soluble substance. It is therefore almost totally insoluble in water.

The solution – Take a curcumin extract that contains Piperine.

It has been proven that combining the herb with piperine – a substance derived from black pepper increases the absorption rate of curcumin by up to 2000%. The best part of the story is that piperine is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Which curcumin-Piperine extract product would I recommended?

I would highly recommended a curcumin extract product that contains Piperine, Super Curcumin with Bioperine  produced by Life Extension.

The turmeric extract in Super Curcumin with Bioperine has been standardized to 95% curcuminoids and enhanced with the thermo-nutrient Bioperine® in order to ensure optimal quality, potency, and bioavailability.

Suggested use: Take 1,200 milligrams daily, divided into three doses. Curcumin taken on an empty stomach is more effective than with the meals. Thus it is recommended that you take curcumin 1 hour before meals.

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