Faqs On Turmeric & Osteoarthritis
Here are a couple of questions regarding turmeric and osteoarthritis with answers.
1. Will turmeric ease pain in osteoarthritis?Turmeric is a natural painkiller and also has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties that help relieve pain in arthritis.
2. Does turmeric only reduce symptoms or does it heal osteoarthritis?Turmeric reduces symptoms of arthritis such as pain and inflammation. It also acts at genetic levels, prevents bone loss and works as a chemopreventive agent in arthritis. Turmeric can help reduce symptoms as well as halt progression of arthritis.
3. Can turmeric reduce bone loss in osteoarthritis?Yes, turmeric can prevent bone turnover and cartilage loss in conditions like osteoarthritis.
4. What dose of turmeric should I take for osteoarthritis?This depends on the form of turmeric you take. We recommend taking Golden Paste and the details have been highlighted in the Dosage section below.
5. Should I take whole turmeric or curcumin for osteoarthritis?We recommend whole turmeric or turmeric powder for osteoarthritis over curcumin as it contains curcumin as well as other therapeutic compounds and also essential oils which have anti-arthritic activity.
6. Is it safe to take turmeric/Golden Paste with turmeric supplements in osteoarthritis?Yes, it is safe to take Golden Paste or turmeric in the diet when taking supplements however it is advisable to limit to low doses say 1-2 teaspoon in a day to avoid gastric discomfort.
Assists In Weight Loss
The compounds gingerol and curcumin in turmeric ginger tea have also shown to promote weight loss and help maintain general health while on a diet. Of course, just by drinking turmeric and ginger tea without making other lifestyle changes you will probably not see effect on your weight loss. However, regularly consuming ginger and turmeric can boost your efforts in losing weight.
For example, the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences published two studies on the benefits of turmeric and ginger in helping to lose weight. One study found that consuming ginger helped to reduce body weight while at the same time increasing levels of HDL cholesterol .26 Another study reported that curcumin is well-tolerated and can positively influence weight management in overweight people.27
Using Ginger Along With Arthritis Medication
Any effects that ginger may have seem to be on relieving symptoms, not on the actual course of arthritis disease itself.
The effect of ginger on arthritis appears limited to mild pain relief no studies have demonstrated an important effect on disease modification, Dr. Goodman says. This is especially important for people with rheumatoid arthritis, as there are excellent disease-modifying medications available, while osteoarthritis patients do not have good disease modifying medicines.
So be sure to keep taking your prescribed medications. Ginger or other supplements should not be used in place of them.
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How To Use Ginger For Arthritis
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Arthritis is a widely-prevalent but not well-understood disease. Arthritis is not a single disease the term covers more than 100 different types of joint diseases and conditions. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are affected by some type of arthritis.
Ginger has been used for centuries in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine as a natural treatment for arthritis pain. Recent research proves that it is beneficial for both inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis like osteoarthritis.
Benefits For Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA is an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly attacks synovial tissue and fluid in the joints, resulting in inflammation and pain in affected joints. Compounds in ginger have been shown to play a potential therapeutic role in its treatment.
In in vitro studies, ginger extract was found to reduced the inflammatory reactions in synovial cells as well as the corticosteroid Celestone . The research also indicates that ginger is potentially more effective at reducing inflammation than ibuprofen.
Ginger appears to reduce RA-related inflammation by altering gene expression. Laboratory studies isolated a compound in ginger known as 1-dehydro- gingerdione, which helps regulate inflammatory genes.
A 2019 clinical trial found that ginger increases the expression of anti-inflammatory genes while decreasing pro-inflammatory gene expression in people with RA.
Further research suggests ginger paired with turmeric may actually protect against damage caused by the autoimmune response in RA. In animal studies, the spice combo was found to have a protective effect not only on joints, but also on the heart, lungs, and kidneyscommon extra-articular complications in rheumatoid diseases.
Besides TNF and IL-1b, ginger can have a therapeutic effect on cyclooxygenase and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells additional inflammation mediators.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
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How To Take Turmeric Or Curcumin
To get turmeric, you take the stem, or the rhizome, of the plant, and boil, dry, and ground it into powder. There are many ways you can introduce turmeric or curcumin into your diet. Research has shown that curcumin is safe in high doses. This is great news because curcumin also has poor bioavailability, which means its poorly absorbed. It would need to be taken at large doses for an active effect.
How To Use Ginger And Turmeric
There are plenty of ways to add ginger and turmeric to your diet to enjoy the many health benefits each has to offer.
The two ingredients work well together in salad dressings, stir-fries, and sauces to add a surge of flavor and health benefits to your favorite recipes.
Fresh ginger can also be used to make ginger shots, brewed into a cup of soothing tea, or added to soups, smoothies, and curries.
Ginger root extract is available in supplement form as well, which has been shown to be most effective when taken in doses between 1,5002,000 mg daily .
Turmeric, on the other hand, is great for adding a pop of color to dishes such as casseroles, frittatas, dips, and dressings.
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Turmeric supplements can also help supply a more concentrated dosage of curcumin and can be taken in doses of 500 mg twice daily to reduce pain and inflammation .
Supplements that contain both turmeric and ginger are available as well, making it easy to get your fix of each in a single daily dose.
You can find these supplements locally or buy them online.
Summary
Turmeric and ginger are both easy to add to the diet and are available in fresh, dried, or supplement form.
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Ginger To Treat Arthritis
Ginger has been used for thousands of years in Asian, Indian, and Arabic traditions. Its use as an anti-inflammatory is more studied, widespread, and agreed on. This article from Healthline contains many references to supporting research.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the authorâs knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Ginger May Help Manage A Variety Of Symptoms Including Pain
A root with an energizing scent, ginger has been used throughout history to treat a variety of ailments, including nausea, asthma, diabetes, and pain. According to the Arthritis Foundation, ginger has been shown in some studies to reduce pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Like psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by painful inflammation.
And, a 2017 study published in the journal Natural Product Research found that the spice reduced pain and inflammation in people with knee arthrosis.
You can incorporate ginger into a psoriatic arthritis diet in a number of tasty ways, including in smoothies, marinades, or stir-frys. However, the exact amount needed to ease psoriatic arthritis isnt known.
The Arthritis Foundation suggests drinking it in tea form, but no more than four cups per day.
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Improves Blood Sugar Regulation
Gingerol could also explain gingers role in keeping blood sugar levels steady. Doing the latter is key to controlling the long-term health effects of Type 2 diabetes. The ginger reduces enzymes that break down carbohydrates and so it helps with glucose metabolism, says ONeill.
People with Type 2 diabetes often dont produce enough insulin, which is key to ensuring glucose circulates throughout the body and doesnt accumulate in the bloodstream. Ginger can also help regulate this: Studies have also found that ginger encourages your muscles to absorb glucose, without requiring you to take extra insulin.
This could lead to additional positive side effects. When youre insulin resistant, sometimes it can make it harder to lose weight, ONeill says. Improved blood sugar regulation may help with weight loss and potentially make your body more sensitive to insulin.
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May Help Prevent Cancer
Research has also been carried out on the different ways that turmeric and ginger can help protect against various types of cancer.
The journal Molecules reported that curcumin has an anti-cancer effect and can help suppress initiation, progression, and metastasis of a variety of tumors.22
Studies into the anti-cancer properties of ginger found that it has a role to play in the treatment and prevention of cancer, especially gastrointestinal cancers. Ginger has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can also help protect against many types of cancers including pancreatic, liver, prostate, cervical, and breast cancers.23
Studies into the benefits of using turmeric and ginger to treat cancer say that more research has to be done to come up with effective ways to use these herbs to prevent and treat cancer.
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In What Amounts Is Turmeric Good For Arthritis
The systematic review and meta-analysis provided evidence that taking enough turmeric to get 1000 mg of curcumin daily for two to three months would be sufficient for reducing painful arthritis symptoms.
However, while taking curcumin to prevent or treat arthritis is a great idea, theres a catch. Its bioavailability is known to be poor. In other words, our blood doesnt absorb it very well.
That is unless we take it with black pepper! Studies have revealed an incredible 2000-percent increase in curcumins s bioactivity when we consume it with black pepper!.
So, should I have also recommended turmeric to my arthritic friend?
Definitely! Ill be reaching out to him to share my research about taking both ginger and turmeric, with a side of black pepper!
Disclaimer:
The contents of the PLANTBASED.COM Site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the PLANTBASED.COM Site are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the PLANTBASED.COM Site!
Aids In Diabetes Control
Ginger and turmeric are herbs that can help control the complications of diabetes by having a positive effect on blood sugar levels.
For example, it was found that the anti-diabetic properties of ginger help to reduce the levels of fasting blood sugar and reduce oxidative stress.24 Regarding the positive effect of curcumin on diabetes, a study from 2009 found that curcumin suppresses blood glucose levels and helps to control blood cholesterol.25
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It Reduces Inflammation And Bone Degradation
Inflammation is characterised by the formation of inflammatory agent arachidonic acid which is metabolised by COX and LOX pathways to form prostaglandins and leukotrienes which are inflammatory mediators.
Ginger acts by inhibiting the formation of these prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
The study reported that ginger powder consumption benefited in arthritis by bringing about a reduction in pain, muscle soreness and reducing swelling.
The time period when ginger was consumed ranged between 3 months to 2.5 years and no side effects were reported.
A clinical trial was conducted to assess the effect of ginger powder supplementation on inflammatory proteins in osteoarthritis.
A dose of 1g ginger powder was given every day or placebo.
After 12 weeks of treatment, a significant reduction in inflammatory markers like Nitric oxide and C reactive protein was observed in the group receiving ginger powder.
These results suggested that ginger powder could be an effective supplement for osteoarthritis.
6-shogaol, the active ingredient of ginger, reduces inflammation and cartilage and bone degradation in osteoarthritis. Dietary ginger can benefit in osteoarthritis.
Ginger extract inhibits inflammation in synoviocytes- cells of synovial fluid that lubricates the joint.
A cell culture study shows that ginger extract is as effective as steroid bethamethasone in reducing inflammation. Ginger oil exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic property.
Switch Over To Spicy Food When Arthritis Flares
Spices such as cayenne pepper, ginger, and turmeric contain compounds that reduce swelling and block a brain chemical that transmits pain signals. Look up some spicy Mexican, Indian, and Thai recipes . Pair them with foods that help reduce inflammation and pain for a meal that really reduces your arthritis pain.
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Stir In Some Turmeric
The yellow spice found in curries and ballpark mustard contains a powerful compound called curcumin, which inhibits enzymes and proteins that promote inflammation. Several studies have found that turmeric specifically reduces pain and swelling in arthritis patients. How to get some curcumin in your diet? Sprinkle ½ teaspoon on rice or in vegetables daily. Or keep some packets of ballpark mustard in your pocket and break them out at lunchtimeits the perfect dose for arthritis pain relief.
What Are Turmeric And Ginger
Turmeric and ginger aren’t new foods both have been consumed for thousands of years. Ginger has its origins in ancient China, where it was used as both a spice and a medicine. It was long considered an herbal remedy for motion sickness, nausea, pain and digestive distress. From there, it spread through Asia and on to Europe and is now a household staple for many. Turmeric has also been historically grown in southeast Asia, with India still being the primary producer. Both foods come from the part of the plant called the rhizome, a stem that grows underground and produces shoots off its sides, similar to a root system. Both plants actually grow beautiful flowers above the ground when they are ready to be harvested.
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Working Ginger Into Your Diet
Several forms of ginger can be used to flavor foods and potentially reduce certain forms of pain. These include fresh gingerroot, powdered ginger, crystallized ginger, and ginger juice. To routinely incorporate ginger into your diet:
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Add peeled, fresh, or powdered ginger to fruit, vegetable smoothies, and shakes.
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Add powdered ginger or ginger juice to tomato juice or soup, lemonade, and hot or iced tea.
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Use fresh or powdered ginger in stir-fries, curries, and meat marinades .
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Add chopped crystallized ginger to cereals, fruit salads, and nut-and-fruit mixtures, or eat out of hand.
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Use powdered ginger to make herbal tea.
Advantages Of Vitapost Turmeric Curcumin Plusginger And Turmeric Supplements For Arthritis
You may be wondering who need to take into consideration turmeric supplements. The fantastic thing about Turmeric Curcumin Plus is that almost any individual can gain from supplementing turmeric. Every person can take advantage of antioxidant assistance in some form and turmeric extract is commonly tolerated. That being claimed, constantly speak with a healthcare specialist prior to taking any nutritional supplement that includes this one.
I would certainly be especially cautious if you are pregnant. Large amounts of curcumin taken while pregnant may alter the levels of estrogen in the body. The implications for this on pregnancy arent worth it in my viewpoint, nonetheless I am not a medical professional and also would certainly advise consulting yours prior to making any type of choices.Ginger and Turmeric Supplements for Arthritis
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Foods For Rheumatoid Arthritis And Inflammatory Arthritis
For rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis, a person should eat:
- omega-3 fats found in cold-water fatty fish and flaxseeds
- olive oil
- broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage
- garlic, onion, and leeks
People who have osteoarthritis may also find some symptom relief after achieving a healthy weight. Being overweight can put extra stress on joints and cause more pain.
It Works As An Antioxidant In Osteoarthritis
Curcumin and other curcuminoids are natural antioxidants. Grover et. al have identified the utility of curcumin as an antioxidant supplement in osteoarthritis.
Oxidative stress is the imbalance between prooxidant and antioxidant agents in the body and this contributes to the progression of the disease.
A study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2016 demonstrated how curcuminoids supplementation reduces oxidative stress in osteoarthritis.
40 patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in the study. They were given 1500mg curcuminoids with 15mg piperine every day in 3 divided doses or matched placebo for 6 weeks.
At the end of the study, it was observed that curcuminoid supplementation improved antioxidant defenses by raising the level of antioxidant enzyme and reducing the levels of prooxidant enzymes.
Researchers concluded that this could be one of the ways by which curcuminoids relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
What does this mean?Curcumin and other curcuminoids present in turmeric are natural antioxidants and can help improve antioxidant defences in osteoarthritis patients. This can indirectly relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
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Ginger And Turmeric Vs Nsaids: Fighting Arthritis Through Food
by | 02/06/19
Helping battle arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Millions of people across the world suffer from arthritis, a painful condition caused by inflammation to the joints. As the leading cause of disability in the U.S., it is particularly unfortunate that no curative treatment exists, leaving its sufferers to resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids to manage pain. These medications typically carry unwanted side-effects, such as stomach ulcers or heartburn, and while they can offer temporary relief from joint discomfort, they do not help to repair damaged tissue or offer a long-term solution for pain management. With the hope of avoiding the side-effects from conventional treatment of arthritis, people with the disease may be inclined to seek alternative therapies, such as supplements or diet changes.
Ginger and turmeric, which are similar in structure and members of the broader plant family, Zingiberaceae, have been prominent spices in traditional medicine across Asian cultures for thousands of years. Modern scientific research has now demonstrated the benefits of these ancient medical practices, finding that ginger and turmeric have potent anti-inflammatory effects in the setting of several diseases, including arthritis.