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Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most studied natural ingredients in the world. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, there are volumes of research on turmeric, so much so that it’s recognized by Health Canada as a powerful anti-inflammatory and joint pain reliever, an antioxidant, and a potential treatment for minor skin wounds and irritations.
Additionally, turmeric is currently being studied for its effects on cholesterol, diabetes, weight loss, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), depression, neurodegenerative conditions, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, as a preventative cancer agent, and as a mitigator of conventional cancer treatment side effects.
Active constituents
Curcumin
Cautions and warnings
Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction, stomach ulcers or excess stomach acid.
Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.
AVAILABLE RESEARCH
Anti-inflammatory and Joint Pain Reliever
Turmeric was tested on patients to determine the bioavailability of herbs and spices after human consumption. In this study, researchers concluded that “turmeric showed protective capacity by both oxidative protection and inflammation measures."
In a study of 80 patients with solid tumours who were undergoing conventional chemotherapy treatments, curcumin was shown to reduce inflammatory markers and improve quality of life outcomes.
Nineteen patients with osteoarthritis were given curcumin for six weeks in this study. There were significant improvements in pain and function scores after the test period and no adverse effects reported.
In this study, curcumin domestic extracts were compared with ibuprofen in a test on patients with knee osteoarthritis. The research concludes that “curcumin domestica extracts are as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis."
Forty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis were divided into three groups: patients received curcumin, diclofenac (anti-inflammatory medication) alone or in combination. The group that took curcumin showed the highest percentage of improvement in disease activity score and in tenderness and swelling of joints.
The clinical efficacy of some herbomineral formulations including Curcuma longa, was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in patients with osteoarthritis. The research concludes that “the herbomineral formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain."
In this study, researchers investigated effect(s) of oral curcumin supplementation on patients suffering from relapsing or refractory lupus nephritis. They concluded that “short-term turmeric supplementation can decrease proteinuria, hematuria, and systolic blood pressure in patients suffering from relapsing or refractory lupus nephritis and can be used as an adjuvant safe therapy for such patients."
This review summarizes a literature of data surrounding curcumin as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by trying to understand the different effects in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
In this study, researchers assessed the effects of turmeric extract on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptomology in otherwise healthy adults. The research concluded that “turmeric may help reduce IBS symptomology."
This review provides an aggregation of research from clinical trials that found promising effects in patients with various pro-inflammatory diseases, among other various human diseases.
This article collates some of the research that focuses on “curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties and its use for inflammatory conditions."
In this study, some pharmacological actions of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) were examined in rats, mice and cats. The researchers concluded that “the compound possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute as well as in chronic models of inflammation.”
This review presents an overview of the pharmacological activities of curcuma longa L. The findings conclude that in vitro, “curcumin exhibits anti-parasitic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal effects; and also inhibits carcinogenesis and cancer growth. In vivo, “there are experiments showing the anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory potency of curcumin and extracts of curcuma longa L. by parenteral and oral application in animal models.”
Antioxidant
This text constitutes a review of pharmacological, clinical and toxicological data on the therapeutic uses of herbal medicines, including turmeric. The research from the text concludes that turmeric is high in anti-oxidants.
ESCOP. ESCOP Monographs: the scientific foundation for herbal medicinal products. Thieme, 2003.
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
There is ongoing research on the effects of turmeric as it relates to the following health concerns:
Skin Wounds and Irritation
In this study, researchers examined the effect of curcumin on pain and postoperative fatigue in patients of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). They found that “turmeric (curcumin) improves postoperative pain- and fatigue-related patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following LC."
Through an aggregation of evidence, this review compares curcumin’s traditional uses to treat such human ailments as acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rash to its pharmaceutical uses for various diseases.
Curcumin supplementation was tested on patients who were suffering from chronic sulphur mustard (SM)-induced pruritic skin lesions. In this study, the researchers concluded that “curcumin supplementation effectively mitigates inflammation in patients suffering from chronic SM-induced cutaneous complications."
Preventative Cancer Agent
This phase II clinical trial demonstrated that curcumin prevented the growth of precancerous lesions in the intestine.
The effects of curcumin are broad and impact many pathways involved in the initiation and propagation of cancer cells and tumours. Cell and animal studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer and anti-tumour nature of curcumin in ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, liver, and breast cancers.
Weight Loss
Study of 44 subjects showed that curcumin administration (in combination with dietary changes) resulted in an additional weight loss ranging from 1.88% to 4.91%.
Cholesterol
In this human study, 33 patients with metabolic syndrome took curcumin while 32 patients with metabolic syndrome took placebo for 12 weeks. The curcumin group demonstrated reductions in cholesterol levels (LDL) and triglycerides while improving HDL levels, compared to placebo.
Diabetes
One hundred type 2 diabetic patients were assigned to receive curcumin (300mg/day) or placebo for three months. Curcumin supplementation was shown to significantly decrease fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. The curcumin group also had reductions in triglycerides.
In this study, researchers tested the effect of curcumin on histone acetylation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion under high-glucose conditions in human monocytes. The results concluded that “curcumin supplementation by reducing vascular inflammation may prevent diabetic complications.”
Side Effects of Conventional Cancer Treatment
Thirty patients with breast cancer took curcumin throughout their radiation therapy treatments. Compared to placebo, the curcumin group had a reduction in the severity of radiation dermatitis.
In this study, 160 patients undergoing conventional treatment for their cancer (chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy) reported fewer side effects while taking curcumin.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis)
Fifty patients with ulcerative colitis were randomly assigned to receive their medication (mesalamine) with or without curcumin. The group that received curcumin demonstrated improvements in clinical and endoscopic remission with no adverse effects. Fourteen patients receiving curcumin achieved clinical remission in at week four, compared with none of the patients receiving placebo.
In this human, double-blind study, curcumin demonstrated efficacy in maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis compared to placebo.
Depression
Fifty-six patients with major depressive disorder were treated with curcumin (500mg 2x/day) or placebo for eight weeks. After four to eight weeks, the curcumin group demonstrated better scores in depressive and anxiety symptom inventories.
Neurodegenerative Conditions (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Stroke)
Emerging cell and animal studies demonstrate that curcumin may protect against the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and stroke.
This review of literature concludes that “each component of the curcuminoid mixture plays a distinct role in making curcuminoid mixture useful in Alzheimer’s Disease, and hence, the curcuminoid mixture represents turmeric in its medicinal value better than curcumin alone."
AVAILABLE RESEARCH ON CONTRAINDICATIONS
Kidney Stones & Gallstones
In this study, researchers assessed patients’ urinary oxalate excretion from supplemental doses of cinnamon and turmeric as well as changes in fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations. The study concluded that “the consumption of supplemental doses of turmeric, can significantly increase urinary oxalate levels, thereby increasing risk of kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals."
In this study, the total, soluble and insoluble oxalate contents of 10 different spices (including turmeric) were measured. The researchers found that “some spices [such as turmeric] can supply significant amounts of soluble oxalates and therefore should be used in moderation.”
In this study, researchers compared the effect of 20 mg curcumin or placebo on the gallbladder volume of healthy volunteers. The results concluded that “curcumin induces contraction of the human gallbladder."
Interaction with Other Drugs
This study investigated changes in chemical stability and cytotoxic properties of curcumin and commonly consumed over-the-counter (OTC) drugs including ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and acetaminophen (APAP) through their interactions. The researchers concluded that “commonly consumed OTC drugs affect chemical stability of curcumin in physiological conditions, and certain bioactivities of curcumin can be altered through their interactions."
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before adding turmeric to your diet.
In this publication,, which explore various herbs, including turmeric. The appendices include: Herbals to be Used with Caution, Herbal-Drug Interactions, Herbals Contraindicated for Mothers and Children, and Vitamin/Mineral/Drug Interactions.