years , we have studied its dosing and efficacy . A systematic review and meta-analysis done by James Daily found out that treatment of eight to 12 weeks of about 1,000 mg / day of curcumin ( turmeric extract ) can reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis ; the result was similar to the treatment with ibuprofen and diclofenac sodium . 7
The Food and Drug Administration has defined curcuminoids as generally recognized as safe to use . According to studies , doses between 4,000-8,000mg / day are considered safe with good tolerability . Most common reported side effects have been diarrhea , headache , rash and yellow stool . 9 , 10
Starting at low doses , with slow and careful dose increases at weekly intervals , can help to improve gastrointestinal tolerability . The patient should be encouraged to ratchet up slowly , but keep going to reach the effective doses , since curcumin does not have good bioavailability , due to poor absorption , rapid metabolism and rapid elimination ; high doses are needed . Studies are being done to find the mechanism to increase the bioavailability .
Several other extracts of turmeric are being studied , for example elemene , which is being studied in the treatment of cancer . Turmeric seems to be very useful in targeting various parts of the body , so it seems to have the potential to be a medicine that could help with multiple chronic diseases . I never knew that something like turmeric - that I have always eaten every day - could be that beneficial . Since we still don ’ t know what the “ gold star ” amount to take is or how to increase bioavailability , I ’ m not sure that what I am eating is “ good enough medicine ” - but I do enjoy my curries !
References
1
Kunnumakkara AB , Bordoloi D , Padmavathi G , et al . Curcumin , the golden nutraceutical : multitargeting for multiple chronic diseases . Br J Pharmacol . 2017 ; 174 ( 11 ): 1325-1348 . doi : 10.1111 / bph . 13621
2
Derosa G , Maffioli P , Simental-Mendía LE , Bo S , Sahebkar A . Effect of curcumin on circulating interleukin-6 concentrations : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials . Pharmacol Res . 2016 ; 111:394-404 . doi : 10.1016 / j . phrs . 2016.07.004
3
Prasad S , Gupta SC , Tyagi AK , Aggarwal BB . Curcumin , a component of golden spice : from bedside to bench and back . Biotechnol Adv . 2014 ; 32 ( 6 ): 1053-1064 . doi : 10.1016 / j . biotechadv . 2014.04.004
4
Huang J , Qin S , Huang L , Tang Y , Ren H , Hu H . Efficacy and safety of Rhizoma curcumea longae with respect to improving the glucose metabolism of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease : a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials . J Hum Nutr Diet . 2019 ; 32 ( 5 ): 591-606 . doi : 10.1111 / jhn . 12648
5
Jang E-M , Choi M-S , Jung UJ , et al . Beneficial effects of curcumin on hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in high-fat-fed hamsters . Metab Clin Exp . 2008 ; 57 ( 11 ): 1576-1583 . doi : 10.1016 / j . metabol . 2008.06.014
6
Na LX , Zhang YL , Li Y , et al . Curcumin improves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of rats . Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis . 2011 ; 21 ( 7 ): 526-533 . doi : 10.1016 / j . numecd . 2009.11.009
7
Daily JW , Yang M , Park S . Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials . J Med Food . 2016 ; 19 ( 8 ): 717-729 . doi : 10.1089 / jmf . 2016.3705
Ruchita Agrawal MD , FAPA is working as an adult psychiatrist at Seven Counties Services in Louisville ( non-member ).
URBAN LEGENDS IN MEDICINE
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