Special edition: Bone & Joint Health
Turmeric and curcumin
Several studies have evaluated the potential joint health benefits of curcumin, which is linked to its anti-inflammatory actions. A 2011 study using Indena’s Meriva-branded curcumin found that the curcumin-soy phospholipid combination may relieve pain and increase mobility in patients with osteoarthritis (Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 15, pp. 337-344).
A 2012 study with the BCM-95 curcumin ingredient found that similar joint health effects as a prescription rheumatoid arthritis drug, but with fewer side effects. Eight weeks of 1 gram per day of the patented provided the same reductions in swelling and pain as 100 milligrams per day of the prescription drug diclofenac sodium, according to findings published in Phytotherapy Research (Vol. 26, pp. 1719–1725).
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