From the Guidelines
Turmeric is not recommended as a primary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to insufficient evidence, and patients should prioritize conventional medical treatments and lifestyle modifications as recommended by the 2022 American College of Rheumatology guideline. The guideline emphasizes the importance of an interprofessional healthcare team, exercise, rehabilitation, and dietary interventions in conjunction with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for RA management 1. While turmeric may have anti-inflammatory properties, its use for RA management is not supported by sufficient evidence, and the guideline recommends a "food first" approach, emphasizing the use of high-quality foods to obtain necessary nutrients rather than relying on dietary supplements 1.
Key Recommendations for RA Management
- Consistent engagement in exercise, including aerobic, aquatic, resistance, and mind-body types, tailored to each person's capacity and burden 1
- Rehabilitation interventions, such as occupational and physical therapy, to improve pain, physical function, and independence 1
- A Mediterranean-style diet, which has sufficient evidence to support its recommendation for RA management 1
- Maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco use, which can exacerbate RA symptoms 1
Considerations for Turmeric Use
- While turmeric may have anti-inflammatory properties, its use for RA management is not supported by sufficient evidence 1
- Patients should consult their rheumatologist before adding turmeric to their RA management plan, especially if they are taking other medications 1
- Turmeric should not replace conventional medical treatments, and patients should prioritize evidence-based therapies and lifestyle modifications for optimal RA management 1
From the Research
Turmeric for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to support the use of turmeric for rheumatoid arthritis.
Available Treatments for RA
- The studies suggest that combination therapy with methotrexate and other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is effective in controlling disease activity and is generally well tolerated in both methotrexate-naive and methotrexate-exposed patients 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Triple therapy, which includes methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine, is a popular combination regimen that has been shown to be effective in controlling disease activity and is generally well tolerated 3, 4, 5.
- Biologic DMARDs, such as abatacept, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab, and tocilizumab, have also been shown to be effective in controlling disease activity, but may have a higher risk of adverse events compared to conventional DMARDs 3, 4.
Durability of Treatments
- The study by 5 found that triple therapy was more durable than methotrexate-etanercept therapy in RA patients with suboptimal response to methotrexate.
- The study suggests that conventional combinations, such as triple therapy, may be a better option than biologic agent combinations as the first choice after methotrexate inadequate response due to cost differences and similar outcomes 5.