Curcumin for Osteoarthritis
Image of Tumeric root and powder
Curcumin is a Ayurvedic herb that comes from the herb tumeric and has been used in India for centuries. A study published in the journal Alternative Medicine Review included 100 patients with osterarthritis.
The new study compared the effects of NSAIDs with NSAIDs plus the Meriva supplement – composed of 20 percent natural curcuminoid mixture, 40 percent phosphatidylcholine, and 40 percent microcrystalline cellulose. Subjects in the active group received a daily dose of 1,000 mg, which provided a daily curcumin dose of 200 mg. The control group received “best available treatment NSAID’s”.
Researchers followed the participants for eight months and found changes in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score, used to measure the osteoarthritis variables, decreased from 80.6 to 33.2 in patients receiving NSAIDs plus the curcumin supplement. Researchers also reported that WOMAC scores for pain decreased by 9.3 points, while no change was observed in the control group. Stiffness decreased from 7.4 to 3.2, with no significant changes in the control group.
According to Indena, the combining the soy phosphatidylcholine with curcumin works to boost the bioavailability of the spice. Blending curcumin with soy phosphatidylcholine allows it to, “interact via hydrogen bondings and polar interactions with the complementary group, like the polar heads of phospholipids”, says Indena.
These findings suggest that curcumin may be a beneficial long-term therapy approach for people suffering with osteoarthritis.
Source: Alternative Medicine Review
Volume 15, Number 4, Pages 337-344
“Efficacy and Safety of Meriva, a Curcumin-phosphatidylcholine Complex, during Extended Administration in Osteoarthritis Patients”
Authors: G. Belcaro; M.R. Cesarone; M. Dugall; L. Pellegrini; A. Ledda; M.G. Grossi; S. Togni; G. Appendino
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