5 Proven Benefits Of Curcumin For Joint Pain

Joint pain, also known as arthralgia may occur in the human body for a variety of reasons. It is a common characteristic of arthritic conditions, but it may also occur due to injuries and infections at the site.

Over time, this may cause stiffness and pain which depending on severity may immobilize the individual. Therefore, medical professionals should be contacted in cases of persistent joint pain to obtain the correct diagnosis and treatment for the condition.

A healthy lifestyle, weight, regular exercise coupled with a well-balanced diet also serve as modes to provide the bones and joints with the nutrition and strength they need and to ensure they keep working well.

What are turmeric and curcumin?

Curcumin is a naturally yellow compound which can be extracted from the powdered root of turmeric, a spice belonging to the ginger family. It exhibits an array of positive effects on the human body. Most notably, it is an antioxidant which can regulate metabolic reactions.

Throughout history, it has been used to treat a spectrum of diseases of varying origins. Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine rely heavily on its use.

With the recent shift in the interest of researchers from synthetic drug production to natural product usage, there has been a renewed attention directed at the development of turmeric and curcumin into pharmaceutical products along with an exploration of their further applications.

5 Proven Benefits of Curcumin For Joint Pain

Considering the highly beneficial properties of curcumin and its potent ability to drive away diseases, a large amount of research is being directed towards its uses in order to understand the full scope of this compound.

In the following sections, we explore some of the advantages it offers in joint pain treatment with suitable scientific evidence for the same:

1.It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent

Inflammation is one of the chief influencers of joint pain and swelling. It takes place due to the body’s attempts to repair damage at a particular site.

Curcumin derived from turmeric is believed to exert its anti-inflammatory effects through regulation of enzymatic activities. It blocks key inflammatory pathways and the molecules responsible for them, NF-kB, COX-1, and COX-2 in particular.

This was validated through an in vitro study published in the Journal of Biochemical Pharmacology where curcumin treatment on human chondrocytes (cells secreting a matrix of cartilage) was analysed.

The effective suppression of inflammatory agents like Interleukins, NF-kB and down-regulation of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) was observed .

In fact, scientists have referred to turmeric as the ‘spice for joint inflammation’ as a study in osteoarthritis patients, joint swelling and pain was significantly reduced with curcumin treatment. Curcumin usage protected chondrocytes from cell death which in turn, restored functionality to the damaged joint.

What does this mean?
The use of curcumin provides a potential remedy for joint inflammation. It lowers swelling and enables better movement and functioning at the site.

2. It heals arthritic conditions

Arthritis is a disease characterised by severe joint inflammation. It may occur due to genetic predisposition or wear and tear. There are many different types of the disease and treatment is usually directed at decreasing swelling and pain at the site.

Since the disease affects a large population, scientists attempted to understand the relation curcumin may have with the disease.

Through extensive literature searches on various documented interactions of the compound in the bodies of patients, it was determined that curcumin administration is a safe and efficient agent for reducing the impact of arthritis.

What does this mean?
Curcumin helps reduce the intensity of pain brought about by arthritic conditions. It provides a safe and natural means to healing tissue damage at the joint.

3.Curcumin is a natural bone protective agent

Chondrocytes are cells which form an integral part of cartilage. Therefore, strengthening chondrocyte activity is imperative for maintaining healthy joints.

Csaki C et al. observed that curcumin when combined with another naturally obtained chemical, resveratrol elicits a number of positive responses to joint functioning.

On a molecular level, these compounds combined together to lower inflammation regulated by NF-kappaB-regulated gene products while also lowering the number of chondrocyte deaths.

A multitude of results derived from in vivo and in-vitro studies and clinical trials have validated these findings. These properties are attributed mainly to the key biological actions of curcumin i.e. gene regulation and cell signal manipulation.

Curcumin has displayed chondroprotective activity to such an extent that medical professionals vouch for its usefulness for osteoarthritis therapy.

What does this mean?
Curcumin modulates a wide array of pathways within chondrocytes which enable it beneficial in bolstering the cellular mechanisms and decreasing cell death rates simultaneously.

4. It prevents cartilage degeneration

In a recent Arthritis Research and Therapy study, the efficacy of curcumin in the prevention of cartilage degeneration was evaluated against a group of other naturally extracted candidates.

Through an animal model, testing based on a number of molecular parameters revealed that curcumin was efficient in retaining the bone matrix due to its inhibitory action on enzymes that degrade bone tissue.

Further investigation into the mechanisms through which this was brought about and it was determined that curcumin administered tissues regulated inflammation causing agents in a manner far superior to the corresponding controls.

The antioxidant properties of the compound also helped in reducing the damage caused.

What does this mean?
By promoting antioxidant activity, curcumin is able to lower inflammation and reduce damage at cartilage tissues.

5. It alleviates pain

Problems at joints are often accompanied with severe pain caused due to rapid damage of tissue. Curcumin is proven to have the ability to relieve such conditions.

Through a series of studies on arthritic rats it was observed that curcumin displayed unique analgesic effects. This was carried out by naturally deactivating the pain sensitivity mechanisms thereby decreasing swelling at the site along with protecting the tissues from damage.

It successfully interacted with markers of inflammation and reduced their activities as well.

Di Pierro F and colleagues were able to create a specialised formulation of the compound which stood its ground with as a pain reliever when compared to other commonly used analgesics, nimesulide, and acetaminophen.

What does this mean?
Curcumin has several pain relieving effects on joint tissues affected by injury or wear and tear. It acts as an analgesic and alleviates discomfort.

Dosage of Curcumin For Joint Pain

A specific dosage of curcumin has not been prescribed for joint pain.

Most research studies utilise a dose of 500-1000mg of curcumin per day. It is best to consult a doctor for the appropriate dosage and formulation of curcumin.

Most curcumin supplements are standardized 95% Curcumin with Bioperine. The combination of curcumin with piperine and natural fats increases the absorption in the body (i.e. bioavailability). (Read How to improve the bioavailability of curcumin?)

Formulations like nano-curcumin and hydrogels have been used in many diabetes studies for an increased absorption of curcumin.

There are varieties of other curcumin supplements that have better absorption in the body. (Read 8 Popular curcumin supplement types)

Initially, low doses of curcumin should be consumed. The dose should be increased gradually over weeks. Curcumin is better consumed after meals, and its intake should be after 3-4 hours of taking medication.

Precautions

Safety of turmeric in the diet is renowned. Curcumin has also been established to be safe even in high doses in most of the studies.

A few precautions are necessary to take while using curcumin. (Read Side-effects & Precautions of Curcumin)

Curcumin may cause allergies in sensitive individuals. Please conduct a patch test before applying curcumin topically.

Curcumin may cause acid reflux in sensitive individuals. Therefore, it should be consumed after a meal.

Large dose of curcumin can cause gastric discomfort like diarrhea, bloating, nausea etc. Therefore, it is advisable to start curcumin with low doses, and its intake should be avoided in case any severe gastric side-effects are observed.

Curcumin interferes in drug metabolism. Therefore, 3-4 hours gap must be maintained between taking curcumin and any medication. An expert’s opinion is best to take in this matter.

Curcumin may increase the risk of bleeding owing to its blood thinning activity. Therefore, people with bleeding disorders or on blood thinning medication should refrain from curcumin. (Read Is turmeric a blood thinner?)

Curcumin intake should be discontinued at least two weeks ahead of a surgery and after that as well.

Gallstone Patients should take curcumin supplements if advised by health practitioner.(Read Is turmeric safe in gallstones?)

Curcumin supplements must be devoid of contamination. Curcumin supplements can have contaminants such as heavy metals, harmful chemicals, fillers or additives. These contaminants may be a potent disease (such as cancer, ulcers, etc.) causing agents.

Curcumin supplements are excellent when combined with bioavailability boosters. Curcumin is poorly available to the body. Therefore, it is best to integrate curcumin with the agents like Bioperine which increase its absorption in the body.

A medical expert must be consulted before using curcumin supplements.

Conclusion

Considering all the benefits curcumin has to offer with respect to joint treatment, its popularity among medical circuits is growing rapidly. Studies boasting of its therapeutic potentials are being published in journals worldwide.

Researchers are dedicating a large amount of funds and efforts to fully explore its pharmacological potentials. Its many benefits, when put into good use will redefine the future of joint treatment.

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