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| PET GAZETTE | SOAPBOX
TRADITIONAL INGREDIENTS
From creating curries to creaky joints – think turmeric
By Dr Richard Allport
I
n traditional medicine,
turmeric is known for its
anti-inflammatory properties.
Scientific analysis has shown
that the active principle
of turmeric - curcumin - suppresses the
production of chemicals such as TNF-alpha
which cause inflammation in the body. The
suppression of such chemicals helps reduce
pain and swelling.
Dr Richard Allport graduated as a vet in 1973
and began using natural therapies for pets in
1983, said: “For the last 30 years I have spent
most of my time treating pets with natural
therapies, medicines and supplements. During
that time there has often been a dramatic
surge of interest in one 'miracle' supplement or
another. But nothing is miraculous and there
are always new ideas to look at in the field of
natural health.
“I have been advising and prescribing
turmeric for my canine patients for many years
in my veterinary practice, and I can confirm
from my personal experience that I find it an
invaluable tool in my natural medicine kit to
help in the treatment of inflammation and to
relieve the symptoms of pain and discomfort
caused by it.”
Many of these 'new' ideas have been
around for a long time. Take turmeric for
instance; it's been used for centuries, not only
as that well known, distinctive yellow, peppery
spice used for curries, but also as a health-
giving supplement.
“Dogs, like humans, are prone to
inflammatory disease. This is obvious in joint
diseases such as arthritis, but many patients
with chronic ill health have a constant low-level
inflammation which is responsible for many
of the degenerative diseases in the body,
including joint degeneration.
“Curcumin also helps digestion of food by
stimulating bile production and helping break
down dietary fats. Dogs, being carnivores,
have a digestive tract designed to take in a
high protein, high fat diet, so turmeric is a
logical supplement to give for this reason,”
explains Dr Allport.
Studies have shown the effects of curcumin
on inflammation has proven to perform
positively; research published in 2014 showed
it outperformed ibuprofen in people with
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arthritis, while a study in 2004 showed it
worked better than aspirin and ibuprofen and
just as well as anti-inflammatory drugs in
general.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Healthspan medical
director, adds: “Curcumin lowers inflammation
by reducing the formation of inflammatory
substances. Like aspirin, it helps to reduce
abnormal blood clotting. Unlike aspirin and
other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), however, far from causing peptic
ulcers, turmeric has been used to successfully
treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric
erosions, gastritis and dyspepsia.”
There are some similar studies in dogs
as well, for instance a report in Research
in Veterinary Science in 2016 confirmed the
anti-inflammatory of curcumin in dogs with
arthrosis. Dr Allport explains: “Returning to
animal research, a 2015 study showed positive
effects not only on the intestinal system of rats
with irritable bowel syndrome, but also on their
brain function via action on neurotransmitters,
which made them feel less anxious and
depressed. A herbal medicine containing
turmeric was given to dogs with ringworm in
a study of 2001, and 21 were cured within two
weeks.”
Naturally, not all these studies are
conclusive, but there is a growing body of
scientific evidence to add to the centuries of
use in traditional medicine that confirms the
effectiveness of turmeric in many inflammatory
conditions.
June 2019