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Turmeric for Pain
Wed, 09/07/2011 - 10:33am
Last Saturday I "jogged" (actually walk/jogged) in the Children's Hunger Fund Run/Walk in Salt Lake City while at USANA's International Convention. The day started just before dawn, filled with the excitement of thousands of people running through the streets of Salt Lake City, raising $125,000 for children in need all around the world.
Unfortunately all that jogging on the asphalt did a number on my knee. I felt great throughout the run, but by the end of the day, I was limping pretty badly... earlier this year, I had injured my knee in a fall, and by pounding the pavement I had only worsened the damage.
Curcumin for Pain Relief
A friend offered some ibuprofen to relieve the pain and inflammation, but I had just heard about an improved version of curcumin (turmeric) that had been incorporated into one of USANA's products,Procosa.
Curcumin, a spice related to ginger, has been used therapeutically for many years due to it's anti- inflammatory properties. But those who rush out to the market or health food store to buy curcumin capsules and ditch their ibuprofen might be initially disappointed. At fault would not be the substance itself but its modest absorption by the body. Just as certain medicines are given intravenously rather than orally, the standardized curcumin extracts found in most dietary supplements don't fare so well in the human stomach―only a small percentage is absorbed into the bloodstream!
A laboratory in Italy has developed a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine phytosome complex that they call Meriva® which has been shown in clinical studies to decreased joint pain and improve joint function in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. (1,2) These Italian scientists (at Indena S.p.A.) have successfully gotten curcumin past the gut barrier by attaching it to another more easily absorbed, natural molecule, called phosphatidyl choline, creating what they call a "phytosome." A clinical study published April 2011 in Journal of Natural Products by John Cuomo, et al at USANA Health Sciences demonstrates that Meriva® has a 30X improved bio-availability over more traditional forms of curcumin. (3)
USANA Health Sciences recently incorporated Meriva® into their vegetarian glucosamine product, Procosa, in order to provide more immediate benefits of pain relief while supporting overall joint health. Procosa includes glucosamine at doses clinically shown to help maintain healthy cartilage and joints, and also includes Vitamin C, manganese, and silicon for additional nutrition essential for joint health*
Did it work for me? Although still a bit stiff, I am no longer in pain as long as I continue taking Procosa throughout my recovery. Shoot- as active as I am, I believe I will start making Procosa a daily habit in order to protect my knees and my back from future injury.
Live Well!
Robin
References:
1. Panminerva Med. 2010 Jun;52(2 Suppl 1):55-62.Product-evaluation registry of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex,for the complementary management of osteoarthritis.Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Grossi MG, Togni S,Appendino G.Irvine3 Labs, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University,Pescara, Italy.
2. Altern Med Rev. 2010 Dec;15(4):337-44. Efficacy and safety of Meriva®, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, duringextended administration in osteoarthritis patients. Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Grossi MG, Togni S,Appendino G. Irvine3 Circulation-Vascular Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences,Chieti-Pescara University, Italy.
3. J Nat Prod. 2011 Apr 25;74(4):664-9. Epub 2011 Mar 17. Comparative absorption of a standardized curcuminoid mixture and its lecithinformulation. Cuomo J, Appendino G, Dern AS, Schneider E, McKinnon TP, Brown MJ, Togni S, DixonBM. USANA Health Sciences, Inc., 3838 West Parkway Boulevard, Salt Lake City, Utah84120, USA.
Other websites used:
http://www.medicinenet.com/cox-2_inhibitors/article.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcumin
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/curcumi...
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
__________________
Robin started contributing to Lumigrate in August 2010. "Meet Robin Thomas", a topic in our biographies/vitae forum is at http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/meet-robin-thomas to read all about her journey, which was greatly influenced by the need to help solve her youngest son's significant health challenges. For those who want just the overview here: After working over 22 years in medical research at the University of North Carolina on chronic inflammatory diseases she switched her focus to preventive health in 2004 when she was introduced to USANA Health Sciences. Robin is passionate about helping others improve their health, have more energy, manage their weight, and improve their skin.
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"I dream of a world free from pain and suffering. I dream of a world free from disease. The USANA family will be the healthiest family on earth. Share my vision. Love life and live it to its fullest in happiness and health."
-Dr. Myron Wentz, Founder and Chairman, USANA Health Sciences
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I knew for a while about tumeric and purchased some and have added it to some foods when cooking but I'm concerned about it staining if I slop, drip, etc. I don't use soft plastics but understand it stains them yellow similar to the way oily tomato sauces can (except orange). Bioavailability is certainly an important concept -- so thank you for bringing us this here at Lumigrate, Robin.
I hope your knee continues to improve; I know that local USANA distributor (to me in W. Colorado) MaryLee Labaw, who I saw on facebook also went to the convention but you two missed connecting in person there, was turned onto USANA when someone around her at work knew she was having leg/knee pain and shared with her the proflavanol they had with him/her, and it worked impressively and rapidly.
As always, I very much enjoy learning from what you post, Robin, and sincerely appreciate your effort and time you give to the Lumigrate readers here in the forums! ~~ Mardy
PS -- and congrats on your FUNdraiser -- that is a wonderful cause and one I'm sure you felt very good about doing your part for related to participation. Maybe they need to go out and row on Salt Lake next time for those with knee/lower extremity issues! ??
.. GRINS!
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!