The 'Root' of Arthritis Relief

More than 40 percent of those afflicted with arthritis in the United States now use complementary and alternative medicine to ease pain and swelling. These include dietary supplements.

The use of alternative remedies has increased since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued health warnings about anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs were linked to cardiovascular events that even resulted in death.

However, the effectiveness of many supplement ingredients has not been adequately studied. To complicate matters, over-the-counter supplements are not regulated in the same way as drugs, and their composition can vary widely.

Many now turn to turmeric. Turmeric has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammatory disorders. Turmeric extract containing the ingredient curcumin is marketed widely in the West as a dietary supplement for the treatment and prevention of a variety of disorders, including arthritis. Turmeric with its long and extensive use has been found to be extremely safe for human use even in high dosages.

A study published in the November 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism examined the effect and mechanism of turmeric on arthritis. The University of Arizona College of Medicine may open new doors confirming the claims on the effectiveness of turmeric in arthritis. The study was funded by the U.S. government and was carried out by some of her top professionals.