Do you have arthritis? This household spice might help you!

Arthritis is an umbrella term for a number of debilitating conditions that affect our joints. When our joints become inflamed, it leads to pain, swelling and stiffness that more often than not affects our mobility and range of motion. In severe cases, it may lead to problems in other parts of the body, such as eyes, skin, and internal organs. A condition that can affect all ages, arthritis is most commonly associated with the natural progression of ageing.

In Australia, around 28% of the population is currently battling arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. This equates to around 6.1 million people, which is expected to rise as the population continues to age. While there is a higher prevalence of arthritis in the older age brackets, the condition continues to affect Australians of all ages. In the 16-34 age brackets, around 15% of Australians reported suffering from arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions according to recent statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

If you enjoy cooking Indian inspired dishes, you may have used turmeric in the past. It’s a gold-coloured spice most commonly used to add flavour to curries and salads. It’s also used as a means of preserving food, or as colour for dying clothes. In India and parts of China, turmeric has been consumed for medicinal purposes for centuries. The medicinal benefits of turmeric have been supported by over 4000 scientific and scholarly articles, highlighting the benefits of the active ingredient in turmeric which is curcumin.

When absorbed into the body, curcumin helps to reduce inflammation commonly associated with arthritis in our joints. It has been shown to have a number of other health benefits as well, including aiding in the reduction of bad LDL cholesterol levels in our body, the provision of antioxidant nutrients that support our immune system, and assisting in the suppression of symptoms most commonly associated with type 2 diabetes.

As positive as all of this is, the drawback is that scientific studies have shown that curcumin is poorly absorbed into the body. This is the main challenge that researchers are facing as they continue to study curcumin.

However, in an Australian first, a new method of manufacturing turmeric has lead to a highly bioavailable form of curcumin. This supplement is known as Theracurmin, and allows curcumin to be absorbed up to 27 times above the normal rate.

This is great news for Australians who suffer from arthritis. With further study, Theracurmin may potentially help to ease the symptoms of arthritis in Australians of all ages. While further scientific studies still need to be conducted in order to examine the effectiveness of Theracurmin in relation to assisting in reducing the severity of arthritis, Theracurmin and its active ingredients may very well be a game changer.

Always speak to your healthcare professional when considering supplementation. When taking supplements, make sure to always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist see your healthcare practitioner and remember that vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

Do you suffer from arthritis? What are some other home remedies you use to ease the pain? Have you had any success using these holistic methods? Share your tips below!