Several years ago, I attended a PLMI event in Chicago where inflammation was the main topic. During lunch, I was talking to a fellow presenter, Thomas G. Guilliams, PhD, who does tremendous research and presentations on a variety of nutrients.

“What if,” he mused, “We have been wrong all along about curcumin? What if we are focusing too much on only curcumin and ignoring the other parts of turmeric and losing out on many benefits?”

Having known Dr. Guilliams for a long time, I knew that he usually doesn’t start talking about something without having researched it extensively. Sure enough, fast forward a few years, and out comes a great article explaining the benefits of using the complete turmeric matrix–where the “parent” compounds not only increase the action of curcuminoids, but also deliver a multitude of benefits, such as enhancing the gut microbiome.

What the Research Shows

We now know that the non-curcuminoid components like turmerone, ß-elemene, furanodiene, curdione, bisacurone, etc. have all demonstrated the ability to reduce pain and inflammation separately from curcumin.1 The Point Institute of Nutraceutical Research, which Dr. Guilliams oversees, eloquently advanced a white paper entitled, Unlocking the Efficacy of Turmeric Root: Could the Absorption of Curcumin be the Wrong Key? In this paper, which Dr. Guilliams authored, it is noted that a complete turmeric matrix includes 45-55% curcuminoids, versus 75-90% commonly used today. Pilot studies have proven this more natural combination at 250 or 500 mg can have a remarkable effect on inflammatory markers.2 Osteoarthritis has been studied with complete turmeric matrix application with very positive outcomes.3

Rheumatoid arthritis was likewise studied with very positive outcome.4 All great from a research setting (and there is so much more besides the musculoskeletal application, even cancer), but what about practical application in a clinical setting?

Practical Application of the Complete Turmeric Matrix

As you know, any functional medicine practice that provides general health care will see a tremendous number of musculoskeletal-related conditions. Recent surveys show that 80% of doctor visits have a musculoskeletal component, yet only 10% of medical education is devoted to this important topic.

Many modalities are appropriate, but one thing is common for all musculoskeletal conditions, from acute to chronic: the complete turmeric matrix. In practical application, I have seen the complete turmeric matrix to work excellently on its own or as a complement to other nutraceuticals.

In my office, the complete turmeric matrix is often used for osteoarthritic pains, and I have been recommending it to my athletes for reducing recovery time and aches and pains from workouts as well as any muscle, tendon and ligament sprain.

Beware of quality. Reports are out that turmeric sourced from Bangladesh contains mercury and lead (used to improve coloring) and the University of Michigan recently reported turmeric as one of the leading causes of poisoning hospitalizations in the nutraceutical industry. Big box stores should not be the source for your patients’ vitamin, herbal and nutraceutical needs.

The Bottom Line

Inflammation is the emperor of all maladies, especially in the musculoskeletal system. Undoubtedly, the complete turmeric matrix should be a centerpiece in your musculoskeletal health toolkit, and you’ll no doubt benefit other systems in the process!

 

Educated in both the Netherlands and the United States, Adrian den Boer, ND, DC, IFMCP is a board-certified and licensed Naturopathic and Chiropractic physician. In addition, Dr. den Boer is fully certified as a functional medicine doctor. Dr. den Boer has treated over 10,000 patients successfully by utilizing multiple resources to manage patient care. Most recently, he joined the Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center as the Clinical Expert serving the MSK Solutions Pain Recovery Program.

 

References

[1] O’Neill, T. and Felson, D. (2018). Mechanisms of Osteoarthritis (OA) Pain. Current Osteoporosis Reports, 16(5), pp.611-616.

[2] Andrew J. Kompel, Frank W. Roemer, Akira M. Murakami, Luis E. Diaz, Michel D. Crema, Ali Guermazi. Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injections in the Hip and Knee: Perhaps Not as Safe as We Thought? Radiology, 2019; 190341

[3] Li S. Chemical Composition and Product Quality Control of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Vol 52011.

[4] edited by P.N. Ravindran KNB, Sivaraman K. Turmeric: the genus Curcuma. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, [2007] 2007; 2007.

[5] Amalraj A, Pius A, Gopi S, Gopi S. Biological activities of curcuminoids, other biomolecules from turmeric and their derivatives - A review. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine. 2016;7(2):205-233.

[6] Agarwal S, Mishra R, Gupta AK, Gupta A. Chapter 5 - Turmeric: isolation and synthesis of important biological molecules. In: Tewari A, Tiwari S, eds. Synthesis of Medicinal Agents from Plants. Elsevier; 2018:105-125.

[7] Lopresti, A. The Problem of Curcumin and Its Bioavailability: Could its Gastrointestinal Influence Contribute to its Overall Health-Enhancing Effects? Adv Nutr. 2019;9:41-50

[8] Amalraj, A; Varma, K; Jacob, J, et al. A Novel Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation Improves Symptoms and Diagnostic Indicators in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Dose, Three-Arm, and Parallel-Group Study. Journal of Medicinal Food. 20(10) 2017, 1022-1030

[9] Kuptniratsaikul V, Thanakhumtorn S, Chinswangwatanakul P, Wattanamongkonsil L, Thamlikitkul V. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(8):891-897.

[10] Amalraj A, Varma K, Jacob J, et al. A Novel Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation Improves Symptoms and Diagnostic Indicators in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Dose, Three-Arm, and Parallel-Group Study. J Med Food. 2017;20(10):1022-1030