Curcumin (Turmeric) Suppresses Arthritis Symptoms
Curcumin (turmeric) is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Now researchers have found curcumin may also help underlying causes of inflammation and reduce damage to bone and cartilage. (2, 8)
Curcumin is Superior to Steroidal (SAIDS) and Non-Steriodal (NSAIDS) Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Research shows curcumin acts as a scavenger of nitric oxide and inhibits COX-2, a pro-inflammatory substance. Also a potent scavenger of superoxide, the anti-inflammatory activity and superoxide scavenging property of curcumin are proven correlated. Clinically, curcumin has worked as well as cortisone or phenylbutazone for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and post-operative inflammation. (1-5)
Curcumin reduces acute pain and inflammation better than NSAID phenylbutazone (5)
The anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin was evaluated in a group of patients who underwent surgery or suffered from trauma. A double-blind controlled-trial in which three groups received curcumin (400 mg/day), a placebo, or phenylbutazone (100 mg/day) for five consecutive days after surgery. Treatment with curcumin resulted in reduced inflammation more effectively than phenylbutazone. (5)
Phenylbutazone is a powerful analgesic (painkiller) and an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Unlike NSAIDS, which have dangerous side-effects and black-box warnings, curcumin is safe and has no side-effects, even at doses up to 8,000 mg per day. (10, 11)
Curcumin also inhibits COXs better than indomethacin, a currently prescribed mixed COX inhibitor. (6, 7)
A double-blind crossover study in patients with "definite" rheumatoid arthritis compared the antirheumatic activity of curcumin (1200 mg/day) with phenylbutazone, a corticosteroids drug (300 mg/day). The curcumin therapy resulted in "significant" improvements over corticosteroids. Curcumin better relieved morning stiffness and joint swelling, and improved walking time. Best of all, curcumin was well-tolerated and produced no side-effects. (2, 8)
Curcumin Supresses Systemic Inflammation Markers
Another published study found curcumin substantially suppresses systemic inflammation markers MMP-3 by 48% to 99%, and MMP-13 by 45% to 97%. Researchers concluded curcumin could be useful for reducing cartilage degradation (resorption by MMPs) in arthritis. (2 ,9)




