Joint health
MOBILITY A KEY CONCERN FOR CONSUMERS
Mobility is important for quality of life and is a core indicator of health and function in ageing. Most of older adults experience some kind of mobility impairment, which may affect their ability to move and carry out regular activities. Notably, “wear and tear” of joints during ageing results in discomfort and pain leading to reduced mobility.
There are approximately 400 joints in the human body.
SUPPORTING JOINT HEALTH
To date, most of the treatments are mainly symptomatic, meaning they are aimed at relieving pain. When cartilage degradation induces inflammatory reactions, reducing the inflammation may help to relieve painful joints.
Standard treatments and their limitations
There are several types of medical treatments, including analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery.
Two types of anti-inflammatory medications can be distinguished: intra-articular steroidal anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs that are cortisone derivatives, and oral or topic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
However, a prolonged use of oral NSAIDS has been associated with side effects such as the development of gastric complications that may lead to ulcers, cardiovascular and bleeding problems as well as liver and kidney damage
Natural remedies
Anti-inflammatory drugs are not the only option for joint pain. Natural medicines have shown to provide good relief by helping reducing inflammation and aching.
Among other botanical remedies, turmeric has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicines for several thousands of years.
As we observe an increasing demand for herbal supplements and natural remedies, turmeric has proved to be an ideal candidate as an alternative health solution with functional and active properties, limiting potential side effects.
Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric is a widely used ingredient in many medical and food applications. In addition, because of diet and health concerns due to the incorporation of animal-based ingredients (chondroitin, glucosamine, collagen) and chemical ingredients (drugs) respectively, consumers tend to use organic vegan herbal solutions as they go-to pain relief medicine.
CURCUMINOIDS EFFICACY
WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY?
More than 70 clinical studies have documented the effectiveness of turmeric in supporting joint health and function
Some studies* have demonstrated that a daily intake of a high dose of curcuminoids (min.1000-1500mg) from standard turmeric 95% curcuminoids (STE) or turmeric 95% with added piperine (TEP) could alleviate the symptoms of joint discomfort and improve joint function in a short period of time.
* 2009, Kuptniratsaikul & all, Efficacy and Safety of Curcuma domestica Extracts in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
* 2014, Panahi & all, Curcuminoid Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
* 2014, Kuptniratsaikul & all , Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study
* 2016, Srivastava & all, Curcuma longa extract reduces inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in osteoarthritis of knee: a four-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
