Curcumin Review for Joint Pain, Inflammation & Depression

Curcumin is a natural remedy that is used for its general health-boosting properties and to improve pain caused by arthritis or injury.

According to user reviews of curcumin supplements, this compound can improve joint functionality, alleviate swelling and provide pain relief.

Curcumin reviews shared online show that this supplement is often taken to reduce the number of prescription or over-the-counter pain medications used.

How does curcumin work and is there scientific evidence to back of these reviews? Research indicates that curcumin modulates many cell signaling pathways. By impacting cellular signals, curcumin has been observed to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer and chemopreventive effects.

Curcumin is the bioactive constituent of turmeric, a spice made from the roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of the plant Curcuma longa. The turmeric spice is made by boiling, drying and grinding the rhizomes of C. longa.

The spice has a long history of culinary use, but turmeric has also been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive disorders, liver conditions, inflammation and infection.

Today, turmeric continues to be used as both a dietary staple and versatile therapeutic agent, particularly for arthritis and joint pain. Curcumin has been the subject of extensive scientific review.

Preclinical studies have reported numerous beneficial effects associated with turmeric and curcumin. This article discusses some of the scientific reviews of curcumin.

Curcumin

Anti-Inflammatory

Joints

Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Effective anti-inflammatory supplement
• Shown to improve joint functionality
• Anti-oxidant to supper general health

Dosage:

Between 1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Curcumin Reviews for Arthritis

Arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe over 100 separate conditions that affect joint health.

Two main types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints. OA is a degenerative condition where the cartilage that acts as a cushion in joints begins to breakdown.

These two forms of arthritis are quite different, but both involve inflammation that contributes to stiffness and pain. Traditional medicine practices in China and India have relied on turmeric to treat joint disorders, such as arthritis, for centuries.

Research indicates that oral curcumin supplementation reduces inflammation by inhibiting the actions of certain inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, including: COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and 5-LOX (lipoxygenase-5). Notably, COX-2 inhibition is the target of commonly prescribed drugs like celecoxib (Celebrex), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

In 2010, it was shown that Meriva (a turmeric supplement) improved long-term pain management and function in 100 patients with knee-based OA. In another study, taking four 500 mg doses of turmeric per day was observed to be as effective as two 400 mg doses of ibuprofen per day in reducing knee pain in patients with OA.

According to research and user reviews, between 400 mg and 600 mg doses of curcumin have been taken two or three times a day for arthritis. Alternatively, 500 – 1,000 mg of turmeric rhizome can be used to make tea or added to food. Daily dosage should not exceed 3,000 mg (3 g).

Curcumin Reviews for Cancer

There is also growing interest among consumers for the use of curcumin in cancer prevention. This supplement has not been approved for using in the treatment of cancer, however there is some research showing anti-cancer effects based on laboratory studies.

There are more than 100 known types of cancer. Cancerous cells differ from healthy cells in several key ways that make them difficult to treat. Cancer cells exhibit:

• High proliferation rates (rapid number increases);
• Resistance to programmed cell death (apoptosis);
• Resistance to growth inhibition signals;
• The ability to form new blood vessels (angiogenesis).

In laboratory and animal studies, curcumin has been observed to suppress numerous cell signaling pathways and disrupt the initiation, promotion and progression of carcinogenesis (cancer development). Turmeric and curcumin act to inhibit cancer cell angiogenesis, proliferation and metastasis (the spread of cancerous cells).

Clinical studies investigating the effect of curcumin on human cancer patients are ongoing. There is currently not enough evidence to understand what effect, if any, curcumin supplementation will have on human cancer in the body. In addition, evidence indicates curcumin may interact with cancer medications.

Be sure to speak with your oncologist before taking this supplement while undergoing cancer treatment.

Curcumin Reviews for Depression

According to some curcumin reviews posted online, this supplement can have a positive effect on mood. Turmeric and curcumin demonstrate neuroprotective effects in studies involving Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and major depressive disorder.

In animal research, curcumin increased the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Curcumin appears to inhibit subtypes of the enzyme monoamine oxidase that are involved in serotonin metabolism. Researchers also speculate that the anti-depressive effects may be related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Curcumin Reviews for Inflammation

User reviews of curcumin extract show that this supplement is primarily used as a natural anti-inflammatory and to reduce the reliance on NSAID medications (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).

Chronic inflammation is becoming increasingly tied to the development and progression of many diseases.

Inflammation is a natural immune response and an important tool in maintaining good health. Under normal circumstances, short-term or acute inflammation is the immune system’s first line of defense against injury or infection.

Blood rushes to the affected area bringing immune cells to help ward off infection. The increased blood flow can temporarily immobilize the injured area and eventually clear away any damaged tissue. However, prolonged or chronic inflammation is now considered a risk factor in the development of some diseases.

Research reviews show that curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting some enzymes involved in chronic inflammation.

Review of Curcumin Safety

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates turmeric as “Likely Safe” when used orally and appropriately.

Clinical review of curcumin indicates 2.2 g of turmeric may be safe for periods of up to eight months. Daily turmeric doses of up to 4 g have been used for 30 consecutive days. Additionally, a single 12 g dose was taken with no adverse effect.

Curcumin may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Speak with your doctor before taking this product to make sure the supplement is right for you. If you have used curcumin, share your review below in the comments.

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