7 Ways Turmeric Benefits In Gout & Dosage [UPDATED]

Gout affects the joints and is a type of arthritis that occurs when there is an excess buildup of uric acid in the body.

This causes the formation of crystals on the joints which leads to inflammation.

Uric acid is a waste product that is made in our body and normally it dissolves in blood and excreted by the kidneys.

However, at times uric acid levels are too high in the blood and this is called hyperuricemia.

Not all people with this condition develop gout, but when uric acid levels in the blood are excess they solidify to form needle-shaped crystals of uric acid and get deposited in the joints leading to pain, inflammation, and what is known as a gout attack.

These crystals can even lead to the formation of kidney stones.

An unexpected gout attack is found to majorly affect the joint of the big toe and disturb one’s sleep.  Pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness are the most common characteristics.

Now uric acid is developed by the breakdown of substances called purines that are present in the body as well as in foods like meat, seafood, dried beans, etc.

Foods such as alcohol and those containing fructose also trigger high levels of uric acid.

Obesity, poor metabolic health (heart problems, hypertension), genetic factors, certain medications increase the risk of developing gout. Men are more prone to develop gout than women.

Treatment generally involves the administration of NSAIDs and steroids to control pain and inflammation. Medications to block uric acid development and improve its excretion are also prescribed.

Change in diet, losing weight, limiting alcohol intake and good exercise levels can help prevent gout.

Please feel free to use the Table of Contents below to jump to the relevant section in the article.

Benefits Of Turmeric In Gout

In gout, arthritis inflammation is one of the prominent characteristics, and curcumin helps In reducing the inflammation. It also acts as an anti-oxidant agent and also helps in pain relief.

The researches have shown that turmeric can be a potential anti-gout agent and used for treating gout.

1. It reduces uric acid levels

Fructose, one of the components of sugar, is held as one of the dietary causative agents of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Both these conditions serve as a risk factor for obesity.

Zhang et. al showed in an animal study that curcumin reduced the levels of blood urate and increased the excretion of uric acid via urine.

Curcumin regulated the activity of proteins related to uric acid transport and inhibited the activity of certain biochemical pathways in order to improve kidney function.

Curcumin’s antioxidant action may help lower uric acid levels.

Researchers concluded that curcumin can be a functional ingredient that offers protection from fructose consumption associated hyperuricaemia or increased uric acid levels.

Xanthine oxidase is one of the enzymes involved in uric acid formation. A study suggests that curcumin can inhibit the action of this enzyme thereby preventing uric acid formation while some researchers have found that curcumin may not affect this enzyme.

Coming to a concrete study in humans, this one focuses on curcumin supplementation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Poor metabolic health and increased consumption of purine-rich foods elevate uric acid levels in the blood.

This study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 2016 showed that 1000mg of curcumin per day for 8 weeks lowers cholesterol levels and uric acid levels in individuals suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

What does this mean?
Curcumin, found in turmeric, works as an antioxidant and improves metabolic health and kidney function in order to bring down uric acid levels.

2. Curcumin helps in Reducing Inflammation

The deposition of monosodium urate crystals in synovial joints and tissues causes gouty arthritis.

A study published in the Journal of Arthritis Research and Therapy analyzed the effect of curcumin on monosodium urate crystals-stimulated inflammatory response.

The outcomes showed that curcumin treatment inhibited the pathway for inflammatory genes activation. It also exhibited protection against mitochondrial damage by decreasing mitochondria ROS and preventing the potential reduction of the mitochondrial membrane.

The results show that curcumin therapy can be used to avoid acute phases of gout.

Another study published in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism showed evidence for efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric in treating arthritis.

The curcuminoids containing turmeric extract was administered to female Lewis rats after induced arthritis.

The results showed inhibition in joint inflammation and periarticular joint destruction in a dose-dependent manner.

Turmeric prevented inflammation by inhibiting the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway.

What it means
The prominent anti-inflammatory property of turmeric is proven with evidence through many scientific pieces of research. Narrowing down to inflammation in arthritis, curcumin shows significant anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the pathway which activates inflammatory genes.

3. Curcumin renders protective effect against oxidative stress damage

The journal of Inflammopharmacology published a four-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrating the impact of Curcuma longa extract in reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers.

The group which received curcumin showed a significant increase in overall parameters. The level of biomarkers also improved, and the extract showed suppression in oxidative stress and inflammation.

The International Journal of Zoological Research published an article assessing the anti-oxidant effect of curcumin extracts in diabetic Wister rats.

Water or ethanol suspension of curcumin was administered for seven weeks.

The results showed restoration in enzymatic activities induced by hyperglycemia, while the anti-oxidant enzymes increased significantly.

The study concluded that curcumin could be beneficial in preventing diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

What it means
The oxidative stress caused by gout arthritis can be kept in minimum using curcumin’s anti-oxidant property. Various research and clinical trials prove the efficiency of curcumin in reducing oxidative stress. It can be used as an active compound for treating oxidative stress and damages in gouty arthritis.

4. Turmeric helps in pain relief

Journal of Alternative and Complementary medicine published an article determining the pain reduction efficacy of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

One hundred and seven patients with osteoarthritis were randomized into the ibuprofen and C. Domestica extract group.

The results show a reduction in pain level while walking, the function of the knee, and climbing stairs. Curcumin extract seemed to exhibit similar efficacy and as safe as ibuprofen with no adverse effect found between both groups.

A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial published by The Journal of Phytotherapy Research investigated the efficacy of curcumin in treating patients of knee osteoarthritis.

A dose of 1500 mg/day was administered, and scores of parameters were measured using the standard method.

The results showed significant improvements in pain reduction and physical function scores with no adverse effects.

Curcuminoids are proven to be a potential and safe alternative treatment for osteoarthritis.

What it means
Turmeric is proven to be a natural, useful pain relief compound. It helps in reducing the pain caused by inflammation in gout and shows a significant increase in the walking, climbing staircase, and knee function.

5. Turmeric act as an anti-gout agent

A study conducted by Mubin Mustafa Kiyani et al. aimed to evaluate turmeric nanoparticles (T-NPs) as an anti-gout agent.

After synthesizing turmeric nanoparticles, a mice model with induced gout via monosodium urate crystals was used for assessment.

Oral administration of turmeric nanoparticles showed significant results through joint diameter measurement, changes in biochemical parameters, such as lipid profile, renal, and liver function tests.

T-NPs showed a significant reduction in uric acid levels, and this proves that turmeric can be used as a potential anti-gout agent with minimum to negligible toxicity.

The article from Bioorganic and Medical Chemistry Letters presented a work that showed that curcumin weakly binds to xanthine oxidase and during its degradation products showed effective inhibitory activities against xanthine oxidase.

What it means

Curcumin is found to have influence over modifying the uric acid cycle, which helps in classifying it as a potential anti-gout agent. Experiments have proved its efficiency in reducing uric acid levels and their mechanism in preventing uric acid secretion in the body.

6. Turmeric counteracts side effects of painkillers

Turmeric has gastroprotective properties- it protects from acid reflux, the formation of gastric ulcers, and inflammation of the gut or gastritis. (Read 5 Reasons why Turmeric is Good For Heartburn, Can Turmeric Cause Acidity, Turmeric for Gastritis)

This property of turmeric protects from long term side effects of painkillers which can involve gastric inflammation and bleeding.

What does this mean?
Turmeric when used as an adjunctive treatment protects from gastric side effects caused by conventional medication.

7. It improves metabolic health

Turmeric is great for metabolic health in a number of ways:

• It helps in weight loss. (Read Turmeric for weight loss)
• It reduces cholesterol levels. (Read 5 ways turmeric tackles high cholesterol)
• It lowers blood pressure (Read turmeric for hypertension)
• It protects heart (Read Turmeric for heart)
• It is therapeutic in metabolic syndrome.

Maintaining a healthy metabolism is very vital in reducing gout because each of these factors contributes to high uric acid and thereby treating these can help prevent gout.

What does this mean?
Curcumin can bring about significant improvements in metabolic health which if impaired serves as a risk for developing high uric acid levels and gout.

Is Turmeric Safe in Gout?

When it comes to taking turmeric for health we always recommend taking turmeric in diet.

However, there has been one study that suggests supplemental doses of turmeric is high in oxalates and may moderately increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

Sabsina Corp. (the company that developed C3 complex or standardized 95% curcumin extract) refute this study by stating that “The amount of oxalic acid in a dose of Curcumin C3 complex is 88 times lower than the lowest level needed to be classified as ‘high oxalate’. You can read their report here.

Gout increases the tendency for developing kidney stones and these could be due to calcium oxalate, uric acid or mixed. Therefore it is advised to limit or indulge in moderate consumption of turmeric.

Turmeric DOES NOT cause kidney stones in normal individuals. If you are at high risk of developing kidney stones or consume a high oxalate or borderline oxalate-rich diet then high doses of turmeric could add to the dietary oxalate load.

Therefore based on these concerns it is advised to limit turmeric intake in gout and for a therapeutic effect, it is advisable to take curcumin supplements. Consult a health practitioner before taking supplements.

FAQs about Turmeric for Gout

Here are few frequently asked questions about the therapeutic effect of turmeric in gout.

1. Can turmeric reduce pain and inflammation in gout?
Yes, turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and a natural painkiller. Thus it can treat pain and inflammation in gout.

2. Should turmeric be avoided in gout?
Low doses of turmeric in diet can be used in gout but for a therapeutic purpose, it is preferable to take turmeric supplements. For more details refer to the above section Is Turmeric Safe for gout?

3. Should I take whole turmeric or curcumin for gout?
We recommend whole turmeric or turmeric powder for arthritis over curcumin as it contains curcumin as well as other therapeutic compounds and also essential oils which have anti-arthritic activity.

Turmeric is moderately high in oxalates and in case of gout, there is a risk of developing kidney stones which contain oxalates. So if you already have a high or borderline dietary oxalate load turmeric could add to it. Hence turmeric supplements are advised in gout.

Turmeric can still be included in diet but you may have to stick to moderate consumption.

4. What is the dose of turmeric for gout?
This depends on the form of turmeric you take. The details have been highlighted in the Dosage section below.

5. How much time to see the effects of turmeric in gout?
1 week is an ideal time to experience 40-60% relief in gout by taking turmeric.

6. Is it safe to take turmeric/Golden Paste with supplements in gout?
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 ½ tsp twice a day to avoid gastric discomfort and reduce dietary oxalate load.

7. What herbs can I take with turmeric for gout?
Herbs like Boswellia serrata and ginger can be taken with turmeric to attenuate pain in gout. It is best to consult a herbalist or naturopath about combining with turmeric with other herbs for gout.

8. Can I take turmeric with gout medications?
Turmeric in the diet can be safely taken with NSAIDs and steroids. However, turmeric supplements should not be taken at the same time as taking other medications. Maintain at least a 4-hour gap.

This is because curcumin and piperine can inhibit drug-metabolizing enzymes and this can increase the concentration of other drugs in the blood; this on the long term can cause side effects.

9. Can I discontinue gout medications after taking turmeric?
Turmeric is not meant to replace professional medical advice and treatment. Many readers do report discontinuation of anti-arthritic medications after taking turmeric but we recommend seeking your doctor’s advice on this.

Certain medications like steroids require tapering and this is possible with appropriate medical advice.

10. I have taken turmeric for a month, but I see no effect of turmeric in gout. What should I do?
Since turmeric supplements are advised in gout if you have not experienced any relief in gout here is what you could do:
• Consult a health practitioner about increasing the dosage of turmeric supplements.
• Switch to a better brand of turmeric which contains standardized 95% curcumin and piperine.

11. Are there any side effects or precautions to note about turmeric?
Turmeric, when taken in diet in moderate doses, is safe. However, there are certain precautions that you should be aware of and these have been discussed below in the Precautions section.

12. I am taking a blood thinner, can I take turmeric?
Turmeric in small amounts in the diet is safe but turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of bleeding/clotting disorder. If you are taking aspirin for gout or any heart condition, it is advisable to avoid turmeric supplements. It is advisable to discuss this with your doctor.

The dosage of Turmeric For Gout

Disclaimer – There is no particular prescribed dose of turmeric defined for gout. Based on the studies and reader’s reports we have summarized various ways of taking turmeric which could benefit in this disorder.

The dosage depends on the formulation of the turmeric supplement and the severity of the health condition. Here is the recommended dose:

Fresh Turmeric roots

Turmeric roots are a great addition to diet but turmeric is high in oxalates and hence should be consumed within limits.

Recommended intake: 1-2g of root sliced or chopped. You can also juice it and a pinch of black pepper.

Turmeric powder

If you are including turmeric powder in cooking then 1 tsp daily is sufficient. Always opt for good quality organic turmeric powder (How to identify organic turmeric,  Recommended Turmeric brands)

However, turmeric powder is relatively high in oxalates, therefore, it should be consumed within limits in gout. Including in diet in small amounts is still beneficial.

Turmeric supplements

The recommended dosage for supplements is 300-400mg 2-3 times a day for a standardized 95% curcumin extract.

However the dose would differ based on the formulation, hence it is best to consult a doctor before taking turmeric supplements.

Turmeric supplements are low in oxalates and hence are recommended for therapeutic effect in gout. Avoid taking supplements on an empty stomach and close to the time of taking medicines. Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.

Golden Paste

Golden Paste combines heat, black pepper and healthy fats to increase the absorption of turmeric. It is highly recommended to take this paste after meals and to avoid taking it close to other medications. Here is the recipe.

You can make Golden paste from fresh roots as well.

Since turmeric powder is high in oxalates, it is best to limit intake of turmeric as a spice.

½ tsp twice a day is safe but if you are not sure it is best to consult a doctor about turmeric supplements.

Thinking of other ways to take Golden Paste read 10 ways to take Golden Paste

Precautions

Turmeric in dietary quantities does not pose any risk. Doses up to 8 gms have found to be safe but high doses can cause gastric side effects in real life.

Turmeric supplements should be opted for only after consulting a doctor. When it comes to arthritis, the whole turmeric has more benefits but in conditions like gout or if you are at high risk of developing kidney stones it is advisable to opt for curcumin supplements because turmeric is moderately high in oxalates.

Turmeric supplements should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. Discontinue use of turmeric supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery. Avoid supplements if you are suffering from bile duct obstruction.

When on blood thinners, it is safe to occasionally introduce turmeric in diet and take in small doses in the diet but do not use curcumin supplements. In such a condition it is best to discuss this with your doctor.

Turmeric may have a drug interaction with stomach acid-reducing drugs, blood-sugar-lowering drugs, and blood thinners.

Conclusion

Turmeric is helpful in gout as it helps attenuate pain, can reduce uric acid accumulation, and can prevent the occurrence of gout attacks.

Turmeric as a spice is high in oxalates; therefore in conditions like gout and predisposition to kidney stones, one is advised to limit intake of turmeric in diet.

In such cases, one can opt for turmeric supplements in the short term for therapeutic effect after consulting a health practitioner.