GETTY
Scientists believe that turmeric my hold the key to better bone density
The study involved fit, healthy and slim men and women who all suffered declining bone density.
In just six months, those taking a daily tablet of the turmeric and soy lecithin formulation boosted bone density by seven per cent compared with a group given a placebo.
The quality of bone in the heels, jaws and fingers of the group – who had an average age of 70 – was measured at the start of the project using specialized ultrasound scanning.
By the end of the trial bone density had increased in all three sites by up to 7 per cent above the placebo, suggesting a significant benefit.
Curcumin researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, along with INSERM the French government’s medical research laboratories, and a team of doctors from four prestigious American universities, have published similar conclusions.
Doctors are increasingly concerned that almost three quarters of elderly people lose strength-providing bone mineral.
GETTY
The spice may hold the secret to battling osteoporosis in the elderly
The condition called osteopenia, mostly caused by a lack of exercise, can worsen into osteoporosis and lead to fatal fractures if untreated.
We’re are delighted by these results
Every year about 65,000 people suffer hip fractures caused by bone fragility, leading to the deaths of up to 35 per cent of victims in the older age groups.
Turmeric+, which comes from the powerful root of the curcumin plant, is sold in Britain by the Cambridge bioscience company Cambridge Nutraceuticals under the brand FutureYou.
Alf Lindberg, a former Nobel prize committee member who is a scientific spokesman for Cambridge Nutraceuticals, said: �We’re are delighted by these results, and we are stepping up our osteoporosis research programme with turmeric as a result.
�Our formulation is better absorbed by the human body than turmeric in its natural form, and we believe it could offer an earlier side-effect free alternative for people at risk from osteoporosis.�
Bone mineral density is regulated by maintaining a balance between bone-building osteoblast cells and osteoclasts, which are designed to mop up ageing bone cells for replacement.
In older people osteoclast activity may outweigh the rate of bone replacement.
GETTY – STOCK IMAGE
Almost three quarters of elderly people lose strength-providing bone mineral
Stefano Togni, is scientific spokesman for the world’s largest researcher into plant based treatments, Indena, which developed the raw material for Turmeric+.
He said the Italian company had produced similar promising bone-building results with the uniquely bioavailable compound in animal studies.
He said: �Our work suggests this form of curcumin dampens down the rate of bone resorption which could be very good news, because it would mean that people who are in the early stages of bone loss will now have a treatment.”
Elise Verron, a specialist in the evaluation of medicines for INSERM from the University of Nantes in France, was a co-author of a review of the bone-building properties of curcumin and turmeric in the Nature journal Bonekey.
She agrees that the key to harnessing its power will depend on developing strategies to improve absorption.
She said: �In the past decade there has been growing interest in curcumin because of its low toxicity and multiple therapeutic actions including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities, but few studies have looked at its effect on bone tissue.
�At the moment it is too early to get a clear idea of the benefit.�
GETTY
Turmeric comes from the powerful root of the curcumin plant
Luca Giacomelli, of the department of integrated diagnostics at Genoa University, who was one of the leaders of the new Italian study, said the results were promising.
But he cautioned that the effect cannot be replicated simply by adding regular curry to the diet because turmeric in food is less easily absorbed.
He said: �People need to take this kind of high quality supplement under medical supervision.�
The findings may also come as good news for thousands of people advised by doctors to take bisphosphonate drugs designed to maintain bone density by reducing the rate of bone breakdown.
Latest research has suggested that long term users of these drugs may suffer ‘microcracks’.
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information on "Could THIS Indian spice hold the secret to repairing bone mass in the elderly?" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso Back Clinic's wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
Our areas of chiropractic practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-C, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-C*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807
New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Texas & Multistate
Texas RN License # 1191402
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-C, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card