To say that there is an epidemic of pain is a vast understatement. Whether due to arthritis, injury, or a chronic condition, everyone is looking for the right answer. But most over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs are highly dangerous when used long term. In fact, even frequent short term is use is increasingly under scrutiny as the risks of ibuprofen and acetaminophen become clearer.

This is urgent business. Deaths from painkillers have tripled in the past decade, so it’s critical to promote a viable, effective, and safe alternative. Two clinically-studied botanicals fit the bill perfectly to relieve pain: A high-absorption curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) and a specialized boswellia extract from Boswellia serrata.

The clinically-proven, high-absorption curcumin blends a high-quality curcumin extract with turmeric essential oils, making much different than the poorly-absorbed curcumin extracts used in previous research. Plus, turmerones are proving to be extremely valuable in their own right – fighting inflammation, preserving cells, and keeping oxidative damage at bay.

Stopping Rheumatoid Arthritis

Conventional treatment approaches for rheumatoid arthritis can cause stomach damage, susceptibility to infections, and cardiovascular risk. Fortunately, high-absorption curcumin (BCM-95®) has been shown to be more effective than the prescription rheumatoid arthritis drug, diclofenac sodium, at reducing joint pain and swelling.

One 8-week study followed 45 subjects, randomized to three groups. All participants were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Group one received diclofenac sodium, 50 mg, twice daily; group two received 500 mg high-absorption curcumin twice daily; and group three received both diclofenac sodium and the curcumin. In both curcumin groups, there were no drop outs due to adverse effects; in the diclofenac sodium-only group, 14 percent withdrew.

Ultimately, high-absorption curcumin reduced disease symptoms best, followed by the combination of curcumin and diclofenac sodium. Diclofenac sodium alone scored last.

Curcumin and Boswellia: Better than Drugs for Osteoarthritis

In the United States, 1 out of 5 people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, setting up the unfortunate potential of even more over-prescribed, high-risk, anti-inflammatory drugs. But there is hope.

A published clinical study compared a combination of high-absorption curcumin (the same featured in the rheumatoid arthritis research) and boswellia to a generic celecoxib (known under the brand name Celebrex®).

Like the curcumin, the boswellia used in this study was a specialized extract. It was screened to reduce beta-boswellic acid (which can actually promote inflammation) to less than 5 percent, and provides at least 70% anti-inflammatory boswellic acids, including acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA).

The results? 64% of those in the herbal group experienced pain relief, while only 29% in the drug group could say the same thing. That’s a big difference.

Botanicals and Natural Ingredients: The Real Advanced Medicines

Additionally, DLPA (d,l-phenylalanine) and nattokinase fight pain as well. DLPA is an amino acid combination that promotes the body’s natural “feel good” chemistry, and nattokinase helps move these other ingredients through the bloodstream, making them even more effective.

These advanced ingredients provides an alternative to stopping pain, preserving joints, and providing a truly effective and safe answer for anyone suffering from pain.

Cheryl Myers is an integrative health nurse, author, and expert on natural medicine. She is a nationally-recognized speaker who has been interviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Prevention Magazine. Her many articles have been published in such diverse journals as Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Nutrition in Complementary Care, and her research on botanicals has been presented at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the North American Menopause Society. Ms. Myers is the head of Scientific Affairs and Education for EuroPharma, Inc.

Posted 7/22/2015