Stop suffering from joint pain
Ouch! Knee pain is linked to inflammation.
Curcumin is one of many nutrients that can help reduce knee inflammation. According to a multicenter study published in 2014 in the Journal of Clinical Interventions in Aging, curcumin is as effective as ibuprofen in relieving osteoarthritis pain in the knees. A clinical trial conducted on 367 patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, who received 1,500 mg of turmeric daily for 4 weeks, resulted in improvement.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common problem for people who have pounded the pavement or participated in activities that are not easy on the knees. It’s not just older people who suffer from osteoarthritis – it can also affect people in their thirties!
Curcumin
According to a host of scientific studies, curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory. In fact, Health Canada has deemed curcumin supplements to have sufficient evidence to approve its health claims: "Curcumin is used as an herbal medicine to help relieve joint inflammation."
Overcoming Inflammation
Lucky you! You may have eaten curcumin recently. Curcumin is what gives curries their vibrant yellow color. The next time you enjoy a curry, pair it with a glass of red. According to a study published in Arthritis Research Therapy, curcumin and resveratrol (found in red wine and in supplement form) work together to protect chondrocytes (cells in the knees) from inflammation. Oh, there's a cherry on top of this delicious news! A human trial conducted by the Baylor Research Institute found that tart cherry extract reduced arthritic pain by more than 20 percent. What a great menu for dinner tonight!
Meriva®
You can find therapeutic doses of curcumin in supplements. There isn't enough in our curry dish to match what was used in clinical trials. Also note that the body's ability to absorb curcumin is not fantastic. Fortunately, researchers have discovered that curcumin is better absorbed when it is part of a complex called curcumin-phosphatidylcholine (named Meriva® on product labels). In a randomized, double-blind crossover study, Meriva® absorption was 29 times higher than that of curcumin alone. Are your knees shaking with excitement? You can find Meriva® in Health First's Curcumin Supreme Extra Strength product.
Italian researchers conducted a human clinical trial to examine the effects of Meriva® on elderly people suffering from arthritis. After three months of supplementation, patients taking 1,000 mg per day of Meriva® curcumin reported a 58% reduction in joint pain and stiffness. In addition, patients taking a supplement containing Meriva® showed a dramatic increase in their mobility – they were able to go four times further during treadmill tests.
Oh, you're welcome, dear knees. Enjoy. Now, off you go!