Cheryl Myers, head of Scientific Affairs and Education for Terry Naturally/EuroPharma, explained the research process that goes into studying curcumin and recent findings.
“We always keep watch for relevant studies regarding pain relief and ingredients, and in that we’ve been fortunate to have BCM-95 curcumin as one of our main ingredients in Curamin. It has over 60 studies to its credit. And those studies are definitely in line with our reasons for creating this product.
For example, an osteoarthritis study compared a combination of our curcumin and boswellia (the heavy lifters in Curamin) to a generic celecoxib (known under the brand name Celebrex) for individuals with osteoarthritis. One group received celecoxib, 100 mg, twice daily while the second group received a 500 mg blend of BCM-95 Curcumin enhanced with turmeric essential oil and the uniquely standardized boswellia extract (BOS-10) twice daily.
Sixty-four percent of those taking the herbal combo versus 29 percent in the drug group experienced pain relief to such a high degree that they were able to move from having “moderate to severe arthritis” to “mild to moderate arthritis.”
Another recent study of knee osteoarthritis found that one 500 mg capsule of BCM-95 curcumin (the equivalent of one softgel of CuraMed 750 supplement) three times daily was just as effective as diclofenac sodium, a prescription NSAID which can raise the risk of heart attacks.
In a rheumatoid arthritis study, 45 individuals were randomized into three groups. Group one received the prescription drug diclofenac sodium 50 mg, twice daily; group two received 500 mg of BCM-95 Curcumin twice daily; and group three received both diclofenac sodium and the enhanced curcumin.
In the curcumin group, there were no dropouts due to adverse effects, but in the diclofenac sodium group, 14 percent withdrew due to adverse effects. In the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28) patient assessment, the group taking curcumin alone noted the highest impact for reducing disease symptoms, followed by those using the combination therapy of curcumin with diclofenac sodium. Interestingly, the diclofenac sodium-alone group scored in last place.
“But in every case that we match a supplement to its needs,” Myers said, “scientific review is always an integral part of the process.”
• Antony B, Kizhakedath R, Benny M, Kuruvilla BT. Clinical Evaluation of a herbal product (Rhulief) in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Abstract 316. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2011;19(S1):S145-S146.
• Shep D, Khanwelkar C, Gade P, Karad S. Safety and efficacy of curcumin versus diclofenac in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized open-label parallel-arm study. Trials. 2019;20(1):214.
• Chandran B, Goel A. A Randomized, Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis. Phytother Res. 2012 Mar 9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4639.
