Turmeric Curcumin and Osteoarthritis

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The yellow pigment curcumin in the spice turmeric may work as well as, or better than, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

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Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

Osteoarthritisis is “the most frequent cause of physical disability among older adults” in the world, affecting more than 20 million Americans, with 20% of us destined to be affected in coming decades, and “becoming more [and more] widespread among younger people,” as well.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by loss of cartilage in the joint. We used to think it was just mechanical wear and tear, but it’s now generally accepted as “an active joint disease with a prominent inflammatory component” as evidenced by, for example, significantly higher production of inflammatory prostaglandins from tissue samples obtained from the knees of people suffering from the disease.

If the loss of cartilage is caused in part by inflammation, might an anti-inflammatory diet help, like it does with rheumatoid arthritis? Using optimal nutrition and exercise as the “’first-line’ intervention in the management of chronic osteoarthritis could well constitute [the] best medical practice.”

Where’s the best science on what optimal nutrition might look like? The China study is a prime example, showing “the serious health consequences of high consumption of [pro-inflammatory foods,] meat, dairy, fat, and [junk], and low consumption of [anti-inflammatory plant foods,] whole grains, vegetables and fruits,” and beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils. The unnatural Western diet “contributes to low-grade systemic inflammation and oxidative tissue stress and irritation, placing the immune system in an overactive state, a common denominator of conditions [such as] arthritis.”

There are phytonutrients in plants that appear to help decrease the degradation of the joint cartilage, the inflammatory activity, the cell death, and oxidative damage. This is based largely on in vitro studies suggesting protective benefits of soy, pomegranates, citrus, grapes, green tea, and the curry powder spice turmeric. But, my patients are people, not petri dishes. What role might the yellow pigment curcumin in turmeric play in the treatment of osteoarthritis?

 Well, obesity doesn’t just put more stress on our joints. Fatty tissue inside our joints, like in the kneecap itself, is a “source of pro-inflammatory [chemicals] that…have been shown to increase cartilage degradation.” Curcumin may not only help prevent the release of inflammatory chemicals, but slow the formation of the fat pad in the first place. But, enough with test tubes. There have been two clinical studies published to date.

The latest took “50 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis,” and gave them either the best available medical treatment, which included control with anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, or the best available treatment along with some proprietary curcumin supplement. They looked at a number of different outcome measures, including the Karnosfsky scale, which goes up to 100—which is normal, no complaints, no evidence of disease—down to zero, at which you’re dead. The group with the added curcumin did significantly better, and were able to double their walking distance. This is the best medicine had to offer, so Mother Nature made a counteroffer. The curcumin group was able to significantly decrease their drug use, significantly fewer side-effects, less swelling, hospitalizations, and other treatments.

But it doesn’t have to be some fancy proprietary formula. Here’s the other study: the efficacy of turmeric extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. About a hundred sufferers were randomized to ibuprofen or concentrated turmeric extracts for six weeks, and the curcumin group did as good or better than the ibuprofen. Even though ibuprofen is over the counter, it can cause ulceration, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach and intestines—can eat right through our stomach wall. And, in fact, that happened to someone in the study. Whereas, what are the side effects of curcumin? Potentially protecting against a long list of diseases.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Images thanks to MyArthritis and handarmdoc via flickr. Thanks to Ellen Reid for her image-finding expertise, and Jeff Thomas for his Keynote help.

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

Osteoarthritisis is “the most frequent cause of physical disability among older adults” in the world, affecting more than 20 million Americans, with 20% of us destined to be affected in coming decades, and “becoming more [and more] widespread among younger people,” as well.

Osteoarthritis is characterized by loss of cartilage in the joint. We used to think it was just mechanical wear and tear, but it’s now generally accepted as “an active joint disease with a prominent inflammatory component” as evidenced by, for example, significantly higher production of inflammatory prostaglandins from tissue samples obtained from the knees of people suffering from the disease.

If the loss of cartilage is caused in part by inflammation, might an anti-inflammatory diet help, like it does with rheumatoid arthritis? Using optimal nutrition and exercise as the “’first-line’ intervention in the management of chronic osteoarthritis could well constitute [the] best medical practice.”

Where’s the best science on what optimal nutrition might look like? The China study is a prime example, showing “the serious health consequences of high consumption of [pro-inflammatory foods,] meat, dairy, fat, and [junk], and low consumption of [anti-inflammatory plant foods,] whole grains, vegetables and fruits,” and beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils. The unnatural Western diet “contributes to low-grade systemic inflammation and oxidative tissue stress and irritation, placing the immune system in an overactive state, a common denominator of conditions [such as] arthritis.”

There are phytonutrients in plants that appear to help decrease the degradation of the joint cartilage, the inflammatory activity, the cell death, and oxidative damage. This is based largely on in vitro studies suggesting protective benefits of soy, pomegranates, citrus, grapes, green tea, and the curry powder spice turmeric. But, my patients are people, not petri dishes. What role might the yellow pigment curcumin in turmeric play in the treatment of osteoarthritis?

 Well, obesity doesn’t just put more stress on our joints. Fatty tissue inside our joints, like in the kneecap itself, is a “source of pro-inflammatory [chemicals] that…have been shown to increase cartilage degradation.” Curcumin may not only help prevent the release of inflammatory chemicals, but slow the formation of the fat pad in the first place. But, enough with test tubes. There have been two clinical studies published to date.

The latest took “50 patients suffering from mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis,” and gave them either the best available medical treatment, which included control with anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, or the best available treatment along with some proprietary curcumin supplement. They looked at a number of different outcome measures, including the Karnosfsky scale, which goes up to 100—which is normal, no complaints, no evidence of disease—down to zero, at which you’re dead. The group with the added curcumin did significantly better, and were able to double their walking distance. This is the best medicine had to offer, so Mother Nature made a counteroffer. The curcumin group was able to significantly decrease their drug use, significantly fewer side-effects, less swelling, hospitalizations, and other treatments.

But it doesn’t have to be some fancy proprietary formula. Here’s the other study: the efficacy of turmeric extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. About a hundred sufferers were randomized to ibuprofen or concentrated turmeric extracts for six weeks, and the curcumin group did as good or better than the ibuprofen. Even though ibuprofen is over the counter, it can cause ulceration, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach and intestines—can eat right through our stomach wall. And, in fact, that happened to someone in the study. Whereas, what are the side effects of curcumin? Potentially protecting against a long list of diseases.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Images thanks to MyArthritis and handarmdoc via flickr. Thanks to Ellen Reid for her image-finding expertise, and Jeff Thomas for his Keynote help.

Doctor's Note

What about rheumatoid arthritis? That was my last video, Turmeric Curcumin & Rheumatoid Arthritis. Next, I’ll cover Boosting the Bioavailability of Curcumin and then end with some caveats (Who Shouldn’t Consume Curcumin or Turmeric). 

Those unfamiliar with The China Study should read it! I also mention it in my video China Study on Sudden Cardiac Death.

If, as described, oxidative stress and inflammation both play a role in joint inflammation, then that may help explain the role of turmeric. See my recent videos, Which Spices Fight Inflammation? and Spicing Up DNA Protection.

I’d also add nuts (Fighting Inflammation in a Nut Shell) and mushrooms (Boosting Immunity while Reducing Inflammation) to the list of anti-inflammatory plant foods.

If you want my most recent information on these topics, check out the turmeric, inflammation, and arthritis topic pages.

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