Thanks to a reader for submitting this question about the supplement curcumin:
I have some arthritis in my lower back and wondered if curcumin might help with the pain? I am also taking the following medications for my heart and wondered if those can be taken with curcumin: 81 mg aspirin, Crestor, Metropolol, Proscar and Lyrica.
Back pain is a frequent problem and prompts many visits to a doctor each year. There are several things you can do even before taking curcumin:
Eat an adequate diet.
Meat has uric acid and saturated fats. These deposit in the joints and increase pain. Try to ensure at least half of your plate is vegetables (don’t worry about protein – there’s plenty of protein in salads and we eat too much protein anyway).
Keep a healthy weight.
Belly fat will pull on you back and make things more difficult.
Exercise regularly.
I’m not talking about marathons here, just a stroll for 30 minutes at least 4 times a week. Back problems can often be helped with back exercises such as leg lifts or back extension exercises.
Supplements for back pain:
Vitamin D (2000 IU/day)
Vitamin C
Zinc
Curcumin
Omega-3
Reports have shown high dosages of curcumin in mice can be a stomach irritant; however, humans aren’t taking anything near these dosages.
The good news is that curcumin can be taken with other medicine. Good luck and I hope that you find relief from your back pain soon!
Christian