Turmeric shown to be as effective as ibuprofen

If you train, you’re constantly looking for ways to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Up until recently, athletes often over-relied upon Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen to keep them on the mat. According to Robert Hoffman, MD, chief of rheumatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, “Gastritis, esophageal reflux disease (heartburn), and bleeding ulcers are all problems that can develop from NSAIDs.”

But now there is an emergence of studies showing the benefits of natural alternatives such as curcumin extracts, the active compound found in turmeric. A recent clinical trial took a look at the efficacy and safety of curcumin extracts in pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis comparing the effects to ibuprofen.

Two groups were randomly given either curcumin extracts or ibuprofen. At the end of 4 weeks, the results showed that curcumin was just as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, but fewer gastrointestinal problems were reported from the patients who received the curcumin extract compared to the ibuprofen group.

When you combine Turmeric with other natural anti-inflammatory powerhouses like Pomegranate, MSM, and Glucosamine, you can avoid relying on ibuprofen to keep your joints feeling 100.

Your stomach will thank you later.

Daily, J W, et al. “Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.” Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 19 Aug. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27533649.

Kuptniratsaikul, V, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Curcuma Domestica Extracts Compared with Ibuprofen in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Multicenter Study.” Efficacy and Safety of Curcuma Domestica Extracts Compared with Ibuprofen in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Multicenter Study., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Mar. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/196787802.