What Is Canine Arthritis
Canine arthritis is a condition that occurs in dogs and is characterized by joint pain and inflammation.
Years of repeated movement leads to degeneration and injuries in the joint areas. Cartilage is degrade thus exposing bones to inflammation.
Bones are reabsorbed from areas where they are needed and produced in places where they are not required and this adds to the pain.
Dogs tend to experience stiffness in joints, limping, discomfort in getting up or lying down and they hesitate to perform activities like jumping.
Arthritis can occur due to a variety of reasons:
- Problems in immune system
Turmeric And Curcumin For Arthritis
Research suggests turmeric and its components can potentially alleviate arthritis inflammation and pain.1–4
Most people know turmeric as a powdered spice used to give foods flavor and colorit gives many curries their deep golden color. Derived from a plant in the ginger family, turmeric contains a natural chemical compound called curcumin. Scientists have found curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
A New Study Suggests Supplements May Not Offer The Same Nutrient Benefits As Food
Aid Weight Loss Its unclear whether turmeric can actually help you lose weight, but preliminary research suggests it may enhance your efforts. In one study of 44 people and published in November 2015 in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, people with metabolic syndrome who lost nearly 2 percent of their body weight added an 800 mg curcumin supplement to their daily diet. After 30 days, this group lost close to 5 percent of their body weight, helping them reduce their body fat by more than 8 percent.
Complement Cancer Treatment Its unclear whether turmeric can prevent cancer growth in humans, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet this spice may offer potential, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to a past review. Authors of past research note that turmeric may prevent tumors from forming and becoming cancerous, though more research in humans is needed.
Support Skin Health Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant-rich spice, making it potentially effective for treating skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, though more studies are needed. Due to its poor bioavailability, it likely wouldnt be a standalone treatment for skin disorders but rather complement existing treatments, write the authors of an article published in September 2019 in Nutrients.
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Turmeric For Arthritis And Joint Inflammation
Turmeric is best known as a spice used in Asian dishes it is often added to Indian curries, giving them a distinctive yellow colouring. Related to the ginger plant, turmeric grows as a root, and is typically ground into a powder and cooked into dishes in small quantities.
In recent years,turmerichas been said to be a viable treatment for arthritis, with studies finding that the substance ,has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness. The most common type, osteoarthritis, is caused by the protective cartilage on the joints wearing down. Another type, rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune condition with this condition, symptoms are caused by the immune system attacking the cells that line the joints.
If you live with arthritis, youll know that while it is a chronic condition that cannot be cured there are a number of treatments and lifestyle changes that can be adopted to manage the symptoms.
How To Take Turmeric For Pain
Turmeric in Indian and Asian cooking is a long-standing tradition.
A typical Indian diet supplies 2,000 to 2,5000 mg of turmeric per day. That equals 60 to 100 mg of curcumin. If you ingested the same quantity of turmeric as an extract it would be 1,900 to 2,375 mg of curcumin.
The spice has about 3% curcumin. Turmeric extract has 95% curcumin. Adding turmeric to your food provides some benefits, but not as much as a supplement.
Most studies use a turmeric extract. The typical study dose of 500 to 2,000 mg of turmeric per day had potential benefits. The exact dose depends on the medical condition.
The Arthritis Foundation suggests taking turmeric capsules 3 times per day. Another option is to take a half to three grams of the root powder every day.
Further studies revealed one gram of curcumin per day helped arthritis patients.
One issue with turmeric is its hard for the body to absorb the spice by itself. Nutritionists suggest mixing the spice with black pepper and olive oil to help your body absorb it.
The amount of turmeric used in normal cooking is safe. But dont assume more is better. High doses can cause nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.
The World Health Organization found 1.4 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight is okay for daily intake. Its not advisable to take high doses of turmeric for long periods of time. There isnt enough research to guarantee safety.
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But Then Why Some Research Study Use High Dosages
While researching over dosages we found a very interesting thing and looking back and thinking about it, we were just wondering why a thing so simple and logical did not strike me!
While we were researching over dosages, we came across studies where researchers were giving dosages as high as 8 g per day to patients.
This we observed in several studies. But then why the University of Maryland Medical Center and others suggest such a small dosage?
The answer may lie in the fact that the dosages are high when we need them i.e. when we are not well.
For example, if you have back pain, you may want to take a high dosage for a day or two and get well. But once you do, you come to the normal preventive dosage.
Thus, in our opinion, there are two kinds of turmeric dosages we can take:
- Preventive which are low and which we can continue for the lifetime
- Curative required when we have some issues. For example, some of the studies mentioned high dosages to cancer patients and it makes all the sense to do so as we need quick action here.
So when you are suffering from say arthritis pain and you take large dosages, it acts as a strong painkiller and helps you.
This can go on for some time and then one should get back to preventive dosage as soon as our body is back in shape.
Turmeric For Arthritis And Joint Pain: Does Curcumin Work
Throughout history, many herbs and spices have become famous for their medicinal uses. Perhaps none have reached the level of notoriety of turmeric, as it has been a principal healer of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
Turmeric contains a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called curcumin. Derived from the Curcuma longa root, curcuminoids are the primary driver behind many of turmerics health benefits. But, can turmeric help relieve arthritis and joint pain?
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Should You Take Turmeric Or Curcumin For Your Arthritis
Like most issues surrounding your health, it depends upon what your doctor thinks is best. Per the FDA, curcumin is generally recognized as safe and turmeric is used in all types of foods. However, its important to remember that turmeric is still considered a supplement not a drug or treatment regimen.
While curcumin shows promising results in reducing inflammation and thus joint pain, it is still not fully proven to treat any illness, condition, or disease. Additionally, both turmeric and curcumin may have interactions with blood-thinning medications, like warfarin. Before starting this or any other supplement, have a conversation with your arthritis specialist to see if it is right for you.
You could also consider treatment options like those offered at Arthritis Relief Centers. While supplements will always have their place in a health and wellness regimen, our specialists offer scientifically proven medical treatments for arthritis joint pain and inflammation. The specialists at Arthritis Relief Centers have real solutions to your pain problems. To schedule your appointment with Arthritis Relief Centers, give us a call at .
Testimonials From Some Of Fb Users Who Have Used Turmeric
my 12 yr old staffy has arthritis, she was on Metacalm but i started her on the mix, i dont cook it i mix it in an old yoghurt pot, 2 or 3 heaped spoons of turmeric, oil loads of pepper then i give her a half heaped teaspoon 3 times a day in a piece of cold meat, started off on quarter teaspoon, she is off the metacalm and walking really well, gets off and on the sofa ok too, it works a treat
My Staffy has arthritis in her back legs plus a swollen hock. She was on anti-inflamitory tablets but they did not take the swelling down but she is on tramadol for pain relief. I give her 1 teaspoonful of golden paste twice a day. In the morning she gets it in her sardines.
In the evening she gets it mixed into 3 teaspoonful of strawberry yoghurt. I have had no problems with her eating the golden paste. She has been on it now for about 3 weeks and she gets up and walks around more it still slow but more active in her walking and does not sleep her life away as she did before she started taking the paste.
Her disposition is a lot more cheerful as she always look depressed before the paste now she is my smiley wee girl again.
I hv a 75 kilo senior great dane. He gets a tablespoon of golden paste, which is put in a cup of boiling water and then soaked over his kibble am and pm.
His walking is greatly improved and manages the stairs much better. Most dane owners i know use golden paste on their dogs.
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How To Get Turmeric In Your Diet
Turmeric is usually found in root form or in a powder and can be sprinkled on veggies and rice or added to soups and smoothies. You can even drink turmeric tea.
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However, curcuminthe active compound that accounts for much of turmerics health benefitsonly makes up 3 to 5% of turmeric.
In order to get enough curcumin for its benefits to be effective, many experts recommend that people take curcumin supplements. Advocates suggest a daily curcumin supplement of 200 to 1000mg that contains 95% curcuminoids.
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Turmeric Lowers Levels Of Enzymes That Cause Inflammation
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body meaning it has potential benefits for people with psoriatic arthritis. A study published in October 2017 in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that curcumin demonstrated an anti-psoriasis effect by helping to reduce the inflammation caused by the condition. The spice, traditionally used in curries, works by lowering levels of certain enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends that you check the curcumin content of products before using them, noting that the ingredient makes up only about 2 to 6 percent of turmeric. It also emphasizes that high doses of turmeric act as a blood thinner and can cause stomach upset.
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Which Drugs Are Generally Recommended For Canine Arthritis
Drugs prescribed by vets for canine arthritis reduce pain and inflammation. Two types of drugs are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs : They are common painkillers.
- Corticosteroids: They are a group of steroid hormones that reduce inflammation by deactivating the immune system.
As far as NSAIDs are concerned research states the vets begin treatment with aspirin and phenylbutazone and then move on to off label human drugs based on treatment response.
Carprofen is a commonly prescribed drug for canine osteoarthritis.
Other drugs include tramadol, firocoxib, etodolac, mavacoxib, meloxicam etc. Most of these drugs belong to a group called COX inhibitors which we will learn about a little later.
In a study conducted to compare the effect of mavacoxib and carprofen reported that 93.4% of mavacoxib treated dogs and 89.1% of carprofen treated dogs showed overall improvement.
90 day treatment of fircoxib was found to be effective in pain management in osteoarthritis. Carprofen and tramadol are said to be effective in treating hip arthritis pain in dogs.
Among the steroids, prednisone is a popular drug. Along with prednisone, a number of other drugs are given to suppress immunity and inflammation.
Before getting into how turmeric helps in arthritis in dogs, it is important to understand the mechanism of these medications. So that we can see why turmeric can be used to replace them.
How Does Turmeric Help In Canine Arthritis
Turmeric also known as Golden spice and a Miracle Herb native to Asia. It finds its use in cooking and in traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and many other pharmacological properties.
Curcuminoids are the active components of turmeric that give the spice a golden yellow hue and anti-oxidant properties.
Curcumin is the most important curcuminoid.
Turmeric oil also has fractions of therapeutic agents.
Following points suggest the ways in which turmeric could heal and help with your pets pain. Most of these studies are directed towards healing arthritis in humans. But that does not change the pharmacological property of turmeric which suggests that it can be used in animals too.
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Does Taking Turmeric For Inflammation Really Work
You may use turmeric to make curry, but other people use it to treat inflammation and pain.
The main active ingredient found in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is an inflammation blocker. Its as effective as some anti-inflammatory drugs without the major side effects.
Thats a big deal because inflammation plays a role in every major disease.
Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient holistic approach, uses turmeric for internal and external inflammation. Practitioners treat fatigue, rheumatism, and serious pain with turmeric.
In the past, people outside of Ayurvedic practice considered turmeric a spice. It was also used to dye fabric and food. Now, its popular around the world for treating ailments.
It easy to find turmeric for medicinal use. Its available in teas, juices, and pills. But how do you know the proper dosage?
Keep reading to learn how to take turmeric for pain.
How To Use Turmeric For Ra
Turmeric is widely available as a powder as well as in whole root form. The powder or sliced root can make a good addition to a variety of meals, including curries, soups, and rice dishes.
Many people use ground or grated turmeric to brew herbal tea. A variety of prepackaged turmeric tea bags are also available.
Although people can add turmeric to their diet in these ways, much of the research around the anti-arthritic effect of the spice focuses specifically on curcumin, which is available in dietary supplement form.
There are many curcumin supplements on the market, which tend to come in the form of capsules or tablets. Manufacturers may also add other ingredients, such as black pepper, to make the compound easier for the body to use.
The recommended dosage for curcumin supplements can vary. The authors of a 2016 systematic review recommend taking 1,000 mg of curcumin each day to treat the symptoms of arthritis. Highly bioavailable forms of curcumin may be effective at lower dosages.
However, it is important to purchase dietary supplements from reputable manufacturers and to follow their guidance on what constitutes a safe and appropriate dosage.
It is also advisable for people to speak with their doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin to relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis. It is vital not to stop or replace any other treatments without consulting a doctor first.
experience symptoms that include rashes, nausea, and diarrhea.
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What You Should Know Before Taking Turmeric
The supplement industry is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration . That means you have no way of knowing what is actually in the bottle of turmeric/curcumin pills or powders youre buying. It might not have the potency it claims to have, and there could be additional ingredients you dont know about. In recent years there have been cases of imported turmeric with levels of lead high enough to cause lead poisoning in children and the FDA has not yet created limits on how much lead can be allowed in any spices at all.
If you are experiencing joint pain, your best bet is to talk to a doctor about whether turmeric/curcumin supplements could help and, if so, what brands are considered safe. If you decide to take turmeric supplements, try combining them with black pepper and a healthy fat, such as olive oil to help your body absorb the compounds. And dont neglect the power of a healthy lifestyle: An overall healthy diet and exercise routine can improve your joint health regardless of which supplements you take.
If arthritis pain interferes with your daily life, request an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
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When To Avoid Taking Turmeric
Its important to be cautious with all herbal supplements. Turmeric is safe when taken in recommended doses by mouth or applied to the skin.
In most cases when people take turmeric to relieve pain its safe. But, you should consult your primary care physician and use caution in the following situations:
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