Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. In such a disease, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks body’s own joints. This leads to inflammation and pain in and around the joints. If left untreated, most patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergo a progressive disability. Over time, this leads to loss of mobility and damage to the joints. There exists a long-time association between rheumatoid arthritis and turmeric. Modern research has highlighted the role of curcumin in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis. Curcumin is an active chemical found in turmeric.
Curcumin, found in turmeric, has many beneficial properties. It is known to fight against inflammation. It is also an antioxidant and is known to protect the brain from oxidative stress. It can also be effective in fighting the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including tenderness and swelling of joints.
In a research study, it was found out that curcumin helps stops the formation of certain enzymes, which lead to the inflammation of the joints.
Post the attack on the tissue in an immune system, the tissues get inflamed. And they start degenerating due to the death of the cells in that area. Consumption of curcumin helps arrest this process of degeneration of the arthritic bones, joints and tissues.
Curcumin helps prevent the division of cells that have undergone a lot of damage. This prevents the damage from being passed down to new cells.
Curcuminoids in turmeric have a protective effect on joints and immune system. They will prevent the tissues from releasing inflammatory molecules. They also prevent them from getting noticed by the immune system. As a result, they prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis right from the beginning.
Curcumin slows down the secretion of many reactive oxygen species in the tissues under immune attack in rheumatoid arthritis. Its antioxidant properties prevent the oxidation in the cells of the joints. This leads to reduced degeneration in the target tissue and better management of pain.
1 gm of turmeric powder per day can be taken by an individual in their diet. Arthritis Foundation recommends 500 mg of curcumin supplements twice a day as a dosage for Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, it is always advisable to consult an expert before deciding on the dosage for supplements.
Park, C., Moon, D., Choi, I., Choi, B.T., Nam, T., Rhu, C. … Choi, Y.H. (2007). Curcumin induces apoptosis and inhibits prostaglandin E2 production in synovial fibroblasts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 20, 365-372. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.20.3.365
Park, C., Moon, D., Choi, I., Choi, B.T., Nam, T., Rhu, C. … Choi, Y.H. (2007). Curcumin induces apoptosis and inhibits prostaglandin E2 production in synovial fibroblasts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 20, 365-372. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.20.3.365
http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis.php
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