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| Credit: Morguefile |
Researchers have been exploring the
anti-inflammatory and safety profile of curcumin, the compound in the Indian
spice turmeric for treating RA, finding the spice can help patients
improve symptoms of the disease significantly.
Curcumin
compared to drug therapy alone
Finding ways to manage pain
associated with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging, especially when you
consider side effects of prescription drugs.
For their study, researchers
compared curcumin in turmeric to prescription drugs.
Authors for the study say their
finding, "…provides the first evidence for the safety and superiority of
curcumin treatment in patients with active RA [rheumatoid
arthritis]."
For the study, three groups of
patients were assigned to receive either 500 mg. of curcumin daily, 50 mg
diclofenac sodium daily (brand name Voltaren, among others), or both
curcumin and diclofenac.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis
who were given curcumin experienced the most significant improvement in Disease
Activity Score (DAS) 28 scores that is a guide used for
research and treatment response.
Patients who took curcumin had no
adverse side effects and also experience greater improvement based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria that
includes evaluation of joint swelling and tenderness, lab results and symptoms.
Recent
findings suggest curcumin in turmeric helps with treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis because it suppresses activity of B cell-activating factor (BAFF), an
amino acid that stimulates the immune system.
Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to
be an autoimmune disease. High levels of BAFF are linked to several autoimmune
diseases.
Curcumin in turmeric can be added to
food or taken as a supplement, but speak with your doctor before you
add any treatment.
The new finding shows
the Indian spice curcumin, found in turmeric, can significantly help patients
with rheumatoid arthritis manage symptoms of the disease that affects
approximately 1 percent of people in the United States and is more common in
women than men.
Citation:
Chandran B, Goel A.
“A randomized, pilot study to assess
the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid
arthritis.”
2012 Nov; 26(11): 1719-25
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