Turmeric

The Spice is Right!  

Gather around all you Bob Barker and now Drew Carey fans… and anyone who wants to reduce inflammation / musculoskeletal pain in their body.  Let me tell you a little story about turmeric.  As I mentioned above, it's a well-known spice. It's a relative of ginger.  It's been around forever.  I like it because it's a natural anti-inflammatory that can be added to foods or taken as a supplement.  It can help reduce inflammation in the body, which in turn can help lessen your musculoskeletal pain.  500 mg per day is the recommended starting amount.  

But does it work?  

Yes, there are numerous studies supporting the ability of turmeric to reduce inflammation in the body.  There are even studies that show that turmeric (curcumin) is as effective as ibuprofen for managing the symptoms of knee arthritis.  I personally take turmeric daily.  

Side effects?  

Side effects are typically minimal but can include gastrointestinal upset or bleeding in addition to kidney stones.  As always, check with your doctor before starting it or any other supplement.