Arthritis is commonly associated with joint stiffness and pain but there are over 150-200 types of arthritis and related conditions.
Astonishing enough, it is the leading cause of disability in America.
Not only adults or the elderly are affected by arthritis, but also children.
In fact, 1 in every 250 children in US is affected by arthritis. The four major symptoms of arthritis include pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness.
Arthritis limits and impairs an individual’s daily activity.
Around 31% of working adults affected with arthritis report that arthritis affects impair their work performance.
One of the major causes of arthritis is age-related changes which is why it is common in the population aged above 65 years. Conditions like osteoarthritis involve degradation of bone tissue.
Also, it can be an autoimmune condition- where the immune system attacks the body tissue in the same way as it would attack the pathogen.
Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are autoimmune disorders.
Even metabolic defects can lead to the development of arthritis as in case of gout which leads to the accumulation of uric acid crystals.
Arthritis can also lead to systemic inflammation where inflammation affects other organs as in the case of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis impairs quality of life and leads to complications associated with heart and metabolic health.
There is no cure for arthritis and treatment is directed towards reducing symptoms and preventing progression.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to attenuate pain. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are prescribed to prevent progression of the disease.
Exercise and diet changes are recommended. In case of no response, surgery is recommended.
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How Turmeric Benefits in Arthritis
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and it holds multiple benefits in arthritis. Here is a quick list of benefits:
- It reduces inflammation.
- It improves antioxidant status.
- It has anti-arthritic property.
- It is a natural painkiller.
- It outperforms conventional anti-arthritic medications.
- It protects bone tissue.
- It is therapeutic in autoimmune conditions.
- It acts at a genetic level to attenuate arthritis symptoms.
- It prevents the progression of the disease by destroying damaged cells.
- It overcomes the side effects of conventional medicines prescribed in arthritis
If you want to know more details on turmeric benefits please refer to these articles:
Turmeric for rheumatoid arthritis
Turmeric for ankylosing spondylitis
Best Ways To Take Turmeric For Arthritis
Disclaimer – There is no particular prescribed dose of turmeric defined for arthritis. 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 severity of the health condition. Here is the recommended dose based on the form of turmeric you take:
Fresh Turmeric roots
Turmeric roots are a great addition to diet but the limited quantities we consume can’t exert a significant therapeutic effect.
Therefore we suggest that you opt for Golden Paste made from turmeric powder or from fresh roots.
Recommended intake: 1-3g or ½ inch long piece of root sliced or chopped. You can also juice it and take it with a pinch of black pepper. This can be a part of your fresh juices or taken individually as 30 ml thrice a day to curb pain.
If opting for Golden paste made from fresh roots please check the subsequent Golden Paste section for dosage.
Further Read – Is fresh turmeric better then powder?
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, if you take turmeric powder straight with black pepper then it would be 1-2 g of turmeric powder with a pinch of black pepper.
In terms of a teaspoon that would be 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper powder twice a day.
Start with small doses and increase gradually. Avoid taking it on an empty stomach. You can also make Turmeric capsules at home.
Maximum dosage: 1 capsule 3 times a day
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/with meals and to avoid taking it close to other medications. (Read Does Turmeric cause acid reflux? Black pepper in GP: Does it cause drug interaction?) Here is the recipe.
You can also make Golden Paste from fresh roots.
Start with small doses such as 1/4-1/2 tsp and if you see no side effects then increase the dose by ¼ teaspoon every week. Continue till reaching a dose of 1-2 tsp 2-3 times a day (1 tsp 3 times a day precisely).
This is the ideal dose of Golden Paste where you should experience relief. However, if you still don’t you can do two things:
- Increase the dose
- Split the dose and consume at regular intervals (1/2-1tsp every 5 hourly around 4 times a day)
The ideal dose differs with every individual; some do fine on a small dose while some may need more.
Thinking of other ways to take Golden Paste read 10 ways to take Golden Paste
Maximum dosage: 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day only advised if you are comfortable taking it and not experiencing gastric side effects.
Turmeric tincture
Some individuals swear by turmeric tincture’s pain relief action. And it also skips the taste issue. We recommend tincture in case of flare or in the initial stages and not on the long term.
Take 10-30 drops 2-3 times a day depending on the condition. It can be added to teas, juices or smoothies.
Maximum dosage: 20-30 drops 3 times a day
Turmeric tea
This is a good option for tea lovers and who want to skip the taste of turmeric paste. Here is the recipe for Turmeric Tea.
Recommended intake: 1-2 cups a day
Turmeric Milk
This is just perfect when it comes to combating pain naturally. You can find the recipe for Turmeric Milk here.
Recommended intake: 1-2 cups a day
Turmeric supplements
The recommended dosage for supplements is 300-400mg 2-3 times a day for 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.
Always start with low doses and increase gradually. Avoid taking them on an empty stomach and close to the time of taking other medicines. Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.
How to apply turmeric topically for arthritis?
Yes, turmeric can be applied topically to affected joint to relieve arthritic pain. Mix an adequate amount of turmeric powder in extra virgin olive or coconut oil to form a paste. You can slightly warm the oil prior to use.
Apply this paste to affected joint and massage gently (only if the pain is not too severe.) Cover this with gauze and let it be for as long as possible say 30 mins to an hour. Cleanse with cool water.
You can do this procedure 2-3 times in a day. Effects should be visible in as much as a week or two’s time. Conduct a patch test prior.
Precautions
Turmeric in the diet is absolutely safe. Turmeric supplements should be taken with care. (Read Side effects of Turmeric)
If you are taking blood thinners, turmeric supplements should be avoided. Turmeric can be included in the diet in small doses. If suffering from a bleeding disorder consult a doctor and herbalist or naturopath before taking turmeric.
Turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of pregnancy and lactation. Discontinue use of turmeric supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery.
Turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of gall bladder obstructions. (Should you take turmeric if you have gallstones?)
Turmeric may interact with certain medications like stomach acid reducing drugs, diabetes medications, blood thinners. Avoid taking turmeric supplements at the same time as medicines.
If suffering from gout or kidney stones, limit intake of turmeric as a spice. (Read Does turmeric cause kidney stones? Is turmeric safe in gout?)
Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.
If harrowed by turmeric stains here is how you can take care of them.
Research Studies
Conclusion
Turmeric has been actively researched upon in arthritis with as many as 100+ publications. Turmeric has a multifaceted action in which it attenuates inflammation, pain and does not cause side effects.
The recommended doses are prescribed based on dosages used in studies and what an average person would respond too. In cases where the pain is chronic, you may need higher doses or in some cases, one may respond to ¼ tsp.
Finding the ideal dose that suits your body should involve reduction of target symptoms and improvement in disease activity and simultaneously one should not experience any side effects such as gastric side effects.
If you have a dose that has worked for you and relieved you from pain and inflammation in arthritis please share it below for the benefit of others.
4 turmeric capsules has SUCCESSFULLY treated my Restless leg syndrome symptoms.