When you’re suffering from a fibromyalgia flare up, it can often feel as though nothing will help. Whether you’ve tried medication, exercise or changing your diet – fibromyalgia can often feel like an impossible condition to manage. However, if you feel like you’ve exhausted all avenues, then turmeric might be the solution for you. Having been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, many people have turned to turmeric for fibromyalgia relief because of its incredible anti-inflammatory properties. But what are the benefits of turmeric and how can it be used for fibromyalgia symptoms?
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that’s harvested from the roots of the Curcurma longa plant, which is in the same family as ginger and cardamom. Turmeric has been used for centuries in Indian and Chinese cooking, fabric making and cosmetics, as well as in Ayurvedic medicine and has been hailed as one of the most beneficial spices for health.
In recent years, western cultures have embraced turmeric as more than just an addition to their curries due to its incredible medicinal properties, including:
- Aiding digestion
- Reducing inflammation
- Protecting against heart disease
- Reducing the risk of cancer
- Supporting joints
- Improving a variety of skin conditions
The reason why turmeric boasts these incredible medicinal properties is due to the fact that it contains bioactive compounds called curcuminoids, primarily curcumin, which contains the majority of these properties.
The Benefits of Turmeric for Fibromyalgia
With incredible anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is often used as a supplement for fibromyalgia sufferers to alleviate muscle pain and inflammation – without some of the common side effects reported from traditional medicines. In fact, some studies have shown that turmeric could be as effective at treating chronic pain than NSAIDs.
In addition to alleviating fibromyalgia pain, turmeric can also play a role in alleviating feelings of anxiety and depression, which are commonly reported among fibromyalgia patients. This is because curcurmin is thought to increase the levels of serotonin within the brain, whilst simultaneously lowering the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
So if you feel as though you’ve exhausted all of your options, then incorporating turmeric into your care plan might be the solution for you. But how exactly can turmeric be incorporated into your life in order to reap the medicinal benefits?
How to Add Turmeric to Your Diet
Although it might sound tasty, a weekly turmeric curry won’t be enough to take advantage of the benefits turmeric. In order to activate the curcumin, turmeric needs to be consumed along with black pepper, which can increase the absorption of curcumin by 2000%. However, if spice isn’t your thing, then there are a number of different ways to incorporate turmeric into your diet, including:
- Turmeric tablets
- Golden Milk/Turmeric Lattes
- Turmeric tea
- Turmeric smoothies
- Add it to soup
- Enjoy it in a curry
Although there is no recommended daily allowance of turmeric, most studies are based on a dosage of around 500-2000 mg per day, and most turmeric supplements contain around 150-250mg per tablet.
So whether you add it to your curry, take a turmeric supplement or even add it to your smoothies – turmeric can help you to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms and keep you feeling as comfortable as possible.
We do not endorse any research, studies or sources mentioned within our blogs and comments. Furthermore, we do not endorse any medical advice provided, and would strongly recommend anyone seeking medical advice to contact their local healthcare provider.
