Are you suffering from arthritis? Does the pain in your joints restrict you even from enjoying a stroll with your family? Do not let arthritis steal away the little joys of your life. Try turmeric and be relieved from acute pain that is often associated with arthritis.

This post is all about how turmeric can help you cope up with arthritis. Curious to know more? Please go ahead and read.

Arthritis – An Overview:

Among the disorders affecting a large part of the human population that make living painful and restrictive, arthritis deserves a special mention. The variant named Rheumatoid arthritis is even more severe, and it is a long-term ailment that takes a toll on several body organs. While RA mostly affects the elderly lot, instances of men and women in their 40s getting affected are not uncommon anymore.

The ailment affects the joints and tissues around, leading to inflammation and pain (1). This autoimmune disease has no specific cure and treatment remains limited to pain management and lifestyle changes. Women tend to be more vulnerable to its grasp than men. Its roots lie in hormonal anomalies and genetic factors.

Treatment Options For Arthritis:

With time, more arthritis victims, including those suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis, are resorting to alternative and safer methods. This has increased after the FDA has issued warning about the risks caused by popular anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and Celebrex. In the last decade, natural extracts like turmeric have emerged as viable alternatives to conventional painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to help cope with RA.

Turmeric – A Herb With Healing Properties:

Turmeric is a household spice that is used extensively in the kitchen. Also called the Indian saffron, it has even been hailed in Ayurveda since ancient times as a natural healing agent (2). The part of its stem that grows underground is used for medicinal and culinary needs. The herbaceous perennial plant has been used to treat various ailments and physical conditions like stomach problems, joint pains and skin infections. The bright yellow flesh of the underground stem is used in various ways. It can be used raw to make a paste, or boiled and dried as powder. Even pills are available.

Role Of Turmeric In Arthritis Pain Management:

When RA manifests in the body, joints like the knees are affected and the result is swelling and pain. It makes movement difficult with time, and since the disease has no cure, the intensity of pain increases with time. Turmeric has an ingredient called curcumin, which has several beneficial properties (3). It works as an excelled anti-inflammatory agent and reduces joint pains caused by arthritis. This has been corroborated by a number of contemporary study findings.

Turmeric effectively blocks the cytokines and enzymes in the human body that cause inflammation. It has immune system-modifying attributes, think the scientists. The University of Michigan Health System says using turmeric to deal with osteoarthritis and RA is safer than using NSAIDs.

Revelations Made By Studies On Turmeric’s Role In Treating Arthritis:

A number of studies conducted at various reputed universities and research institutes across the world reveal the beneficial properties of turmeric in fighting RA and osteoarthritis.

• A study carried out by Italian researchers and published on the website of Medical News Today shows turmeric as an effective ingredient for those suffering from osteoarthritis (4). On regular use, the extract can help reduce joint pain by more than 50 percent, as per the study findings. The users can also get relief from the stiffness of joints.

• A study published in ‘Arthritis & Rheumatism’, November 2006 issue, showed turmeric’s impact on arthritis pain. Led by Barbara N. Timmermann and Janet L. Funk, it showed how natural turmeric extract can reduce arthritis pain significantly.

• Another significant study published in ‘The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine’, showed how turmeric scores overpharmaceutical painkillers for arthritis pain management. The study showed turmeric performing way better than popular painkillers like ibuprofen. It showed turmeric was safer than several NSAID class drugs.

Overall, similar research studies indicate that the use of turmeric on a regular basis improves fitness levels of people suffering from RA and osteoarthritis, better than OTC painkillers. Turmeric also facilitates better pain reduction caused by arthritis in such people. While researchers involved in such studies admit more intensive studies should be conducted, a majority of the research findings are positive.

Tips To Use Turmeric For Treating RA And Joint Pain:

Turmeric can be used both topically and internally to treat arthritis. You can make raw organic turmeric at home to make a paste for topical application. However, using turmeric powder and capsules is a preferable option for most people. If you take capsules and tablets, consult a doctor to find out the apt dosage. The dosage may vary based on factors like age, health conditions and severity of arthritis in a person.

Ways To Use Turmeric For Coping With Arthritis Pain:

1. Some arthritis experts feel you can take turmeric with ginger to get better results. Ginger is another herb that has anti-inflammatory compounds (5). Taking in the capsules or using a mix of both herbs in water and honey is fine.
2. You may use turmeric in cooking in various ways. You may cook vegetables in turmeric soaked water or mix it while stir-frying meat or vegetables. It can be used to prepare various delicious vegetarian and meat based dishes.
3. For topical application of turmeric for arthritis pain management, combine it with coconut oil. Apply this mix to the affected region. The paste will cause staining on the skin, which can be washed off later with soap.

Precautions To Be Taken:

Using turmeric in any form, topically or internally, can be beneficial for arthritis pain, and you will obtain several other health benefits. However, you need to be cautious about certain risk factors and side effects when using the herb.

1. Turmeric does not cause digestion problems in general. However, taking it internally in excess can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea.
2. Turmeric, when eaten, can aggravate gallbladder problems.
3. Taking turmeric can cause problems with blood clotting (6). People suffering from bleeding disorders should take turmeric after consulting a doctor. The same can be said about people who are about to undergo a surgery.
4. Some people may suffer from a stomach disorder called GERD after taking in turmeric.
5. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, which has many healing properties, also impacts blood sugar levels. It can lower blood sugar levels, and hence, people with diabetes should act cautiously.

If arthritis leaves you feeling crippled, fret no more, for turmeric is just what you need to help you with the pain. What’s more? Turmeric will not just banish the pain, but also leave your skin soft and smoother.

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The post Is Turmeric An Effective Remedy For Arthritis? appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE