Healthy Living / Eating
Turmeric Helps Knee Pain from Arthritis
Nov
A large study looked at 17 different research trials with over 1,300 adults who had knee arthritis. The study found that turmeric supplements, especially special types that the body absorbs better, can reduce knee pain.
Three Types Tested
Researchers tested three kinds of turmeric:
Regular turmeric extract – the standard type found in many stores
Enhanced turmeric – special forms mixed with black pepper or made into tiny particles that the body absorbs better
Water-based turmeric – a different part of the turmeric plant that dissolves in water
The enhanced turmeric worked best, reducing pain by 30% – enough for people to really notice the difference. Regular turmeric helped some, but not as much. All three types helped when people rated their pain on a scale.
Why Turmeric Works
Turmeric fights inflammation in the body, similar to how ibuprofen works but through natural pathways. The main problem with regular turmeric is that our bodies can’t absorb it well. That’s why scientists created special versions; adding black pepper helps it get into the bloodstream, and making it into tiny particles helps the intestines absorb it better.
Compared to Regular Pain Pills
Other studies show turmeric works as well as common pain medications like ibuprofen for arthritis pain. The big advantage is that turmeric causes fewer stomach problems and other side effects that often come with long-term use of pain pills.
What This Means for You
If you have knee arthritis, turmeric might help, but the type matters. Look for supplements that say “enhanced absorption” or contain black pepper (piperine). These special formulas work much better than regular turmeric powder or basic supplements.
While more research is needed, the evidence suggests that the right kind of turmeric supplement could be a safer option than taking pain pills every day, especially since arthritis is a long-term condition that needs ongoing treatment.
