Turmeric And Gout

Is Turmeric Good For Gout?

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice derived from the Curcuma longa root, commonly used in Indian cooking.

Turmeric has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects because of a compound known as Curcumin.

It combats free radicals and protects against oxidative harm, the kind that results in inflammation and joint discomfort that you find with gout.

Additionally, turmeric contains antiviral, anticancer, and antibacterial effects.  

Turmeric also contains antioxidants such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which can help reduce gout pain.

Vitamin A helps reduce gout inflammation by breaking down swollen tissue and increasing healthy blood circulation.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help fight gout flare-ups by neutralizing free radicals in the body.

The only drawback with turmeric is its absorbability. To get the most out of it, be sure to add black pepper, which increases the absorption of turmeric by 2000%.

Evidence On The Effects of Turmeric For Gout

Gout is a chronic disorder caused by uric acid crystals that collect in and around the joints. These crystals can restrict motion and cause severe pain. 

Turmeric is good for gout patients in the following aspects:

1. Reduced Levels Of Uric Acid

Tumeric is considered to increase uric acid excretion and lower blood urate levels which is the prime cause of gout attacks. Turmeric controls uric acid by blocking the enzymes xanthine oxidase and aldose reductase. These are responsible for the production of uric acid in the body, so controlling them can reduce gout flare-ups.

2. Reduced Inflammation

Traditional anti-inflammatories only target one inflammatory enzyme. On the other hand, turmeric has an impact on several inflammatory enzymes and pathways. This makes it more efficient than alternative treatments.

Turmeric controls inflammation by inhibiting the NF-kB protein, which is responsible for gout inflammation.

In one trial, turmeric was discovered to be able to control 30 distinct molecular targets, hence assisting in the reduction of inflammation throughout the body.

3. Pain Management

Turmeric has no negative effects making it an excellent alternative to prescription gout medications for pain. Turmeric not only reduces swelling and inflammation, but it also has potent painkilling properties. The advantage of taking turmeric is that, unlike other drugs, it doesn’t cause your body to develop a resistance to it.

4. Enhanced Loss of Weight

One is more likely to have high uric acid levels if they are overweight or obese. In turn, this raises the likelihood of having a gout episode. When combined with a balanced diet and exercise routine, turmeric has been demonstrated to perform very effectively at reducing weight and total body fat. 

5. Better Metabolic Health 

Turmeric helps to boost the body’s metabolic health by enhancing the following processes in the body:

• Lowers cholesterol level
• Lowers blood pressure

The danger of uric acid accumulation is reduced by optimizing these metabolic pathways.

Is Turmeric Good For Gout?

The Scientific Evidence.

While scientists are still learning how curcumin in turmeric affects gout, these studies suggest it may help ease gout inflammation. 

• A 2013 human study published in Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases also noted the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin. People with gout felt relief after taking a purified curcumin extract.

• In 2013 two scientists based in Belgium published the results of an ongoing experiment involving turmeric and gout. Out of the 19 patients involved, 17 of them reported “dramatic” improvements with their condition. Interestingly, these patients started to report improvements in as little as 24-48 hours after treatment commenced.

• In a study by the University of Maryland Medical Center, gout patients who took turmeric supplements experienced a significant reduction in their gout pain and inflammation. The study involved 90 gout patients and lasted 6 weeks, with the gout sufferers taking 500 mg of turmeric extract three times a day.
• In a different study at the University of Arizona in 2002, gout patients taking turmeric capsules for 8 weeks saw a reduction in gout pain of 66%. The study involved 200 gout patients taking 500 mg of turmeric extract twice a day.

Additional Health Benefits Of Turmeric

What Is Turmeric Good For?

Beyond gout treatment, turmeric may also have the following advantages: 

Antioxidant properties 

The antioxidant properties of curcumin may aid in lowering uric acid levels according to research. Additionally, turmeric supplements appear to have powerful antioxidant benefits that might protect your liver from damage caused by toxins and long-term medication usage.

Improve digestion.

Turmeric supplements can be very helpful in the digestion of food. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities can help with healthy digestion.

Prevent  heart diseases

Curcumin usage has the potential to reverse certain heart disease progression. Enhancing the functionality of the lining of your blood vessels may be curcumin’s most important benefit when it comes to heart disease. 

Researchers randomized 121 patients having coronary artery bypass surgery to receive either a placebo or 4g/day of curcumin for a few days before and following the procedure. The probability of having a heart attack in the hospital was reduced by 65% in the curcumin ĺgroup.

Lessen the risk of cancer

According to studies, Curcumin can; 

• Aid in the eradication of malignant cells

• Inhibit the growth of new blood vessels in tumors

• Minimize the spread of cancer

In 30-day research, 4g/day of curcumin decreased the number of lesions by 40% in 44 men with colon lesions that occasionally progressed to cancer.

Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Curcumin supplements have advantageous effects on both oxidative damage and inflammation, which are known to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

The development of protein tangles known as amyloid plaques is an important aspect of Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin can help remove these plaques, according to studies. 

Side effects

Most people may safely consume turmeric at low doses without side effects but at greater doses, adverse effects are more frequent. 

The following are some of the most typical side effects of turmeric:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea 
• Upset stomach
• Blood thinning: Large dosages of turmeric should be avoided by people who use blood-thinning medications like warfarin. Pregnant women should avoid taking supplements containing turmeric because of its blood-thinning properties.
• Induce contractions: You may have heard that consuming curry-flavored foods might induce labor. Although there isn’t much scientific evidence to support this statement, research show turmeric may help with PMS symptoms. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several advantages to taking turmeric supplements for the treatment and prevention of gout.

Our Goutometer gives it a 8/10.

Being backed up by numerous human clinical trials, turmeric for gout is given top marks. The only drawback is that there are a few side effects when taken in high doses for some people.

Make sure to discuss your issue with your doctor, who may provide dose recommendations for turmeric supplements and assist you in making future healthy lifestyle decisions.

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