- Prescription and over-the-counter pain medications can provide relief for knee pain but often come with side effects.
- Recent research has shown that turmeric (Curcuma langea), which is a spice used in South Asian cuisines like curries, can help with joint pain.
- Is it better to use it as a food supplement or as a meal replacement?
Arthritis is the most common type of joint disease in the United States. The condition often affects the knees first.
One study found that in people above age 60, more than 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women had symptoms of arthritis in their knees.
While OTC and prescription pain medications can provide relief, they are often associated with side effects. Side effects can include heart disease and kidney damage.
According to figures, nearly 20 percent of Americans experience some level of knee pain. These numbers were published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2006. The severity of pain can vary from mild stiffness to severe levels.
Recent research has shown that turmeric, an Indian spice, can help with joint pain. Although turmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicine and is not prescribed for medication, it is widely used in American cuisine.
Experts believe that turmeric's active ingredient may offer health benefits.
"Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is widely believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. It's used by many people as a supplement to treat joint pains," Dr. Nagendra Gopta, FACP and CPE, an internist at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital told Healthline.
Just as effective as an anti-inflammatory medication
A study published in medical journal Trials compared turmeric's effectiveness to that of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug.
The random trial offered 139 patients suffering from knee pain the option of either taking a 500-milligram (mg), curcumin capsule three times per day, or 50 mg diclofenac pills twice daily. Scientists discovered that both groups saw significant pain relief.
"Curcumin is similar to diclofenac in efficacy, but showed better tolerance in patients with knee OA." The study authors suggested that curcumin could be used as an alternative treatment for patients with knee OA who cannot tolerate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug side effects.
Proven to be effective
Researchers at the University of Australia in Tasmania gave 70 participants over 40 with knee osteoarthritis and swelling, diagnosed by ultrasound, to either receive 1000 mg of turmeric per day or a placebo in a study.
After 12 weeks, the placebo-controlled randomized trial showed that an extract from turmeric was more effective in relieving knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
According to the standard questionnaire, turmeric users reported significantly less pain in their knees at the end.
Researchers stressed that more research was needed and that the study's only limitation was the low number of participants.
This research was also funded by Natural Remedies PVT Ltd a company that sells Ayurvedic medicines.
This may be a conflict of interests, but previous research supports the spice's effectiveness in pain relief.
Turmeric is safe and effective
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a common spice used in South Asian food like curries and can also be used to add warmth and color to rice and meats. It is also used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, and research shows that it has "a surprising wide range of beneficial characteristics."
Curcumin has been found to be non-toxic, which is a major advantage over other NSAIDs. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can cause convulsions, coma and acute renal (kidney failure) failure if taken in excess.
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