{"id":19745,"date":"2020-05-17T08:26:33","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T13:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/be55915bbd.nxcli.net\/?p=19745"},"modified":"2021-10-30T06:53:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T11:53:37","slug":"can-curcumin-turmeric-help-your-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nouvelleresearch.com\/index.php\/articles\/19745-can-curcumin-turmeric-help-your-horse","title":{"rendered":"Can Curcumin or Turmeric Help Your Horse?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Turmeric and curcumin<\/strong>.\u00a0 Both well known names in the world of herbs and alternative medicine, even in the horse industry.\u00a0 Despite being well known, many do not trust or believe this herb can be of any value in helping their horse. The reason for this disbelief is two-fold, stemming from misinformation or a lack of true desire to investigate the herb and acquire an understanding.\u00a0 When used properly in the horse, both curcumin and turmeric can be of real value, but again, there must be a certain level of understanding in its proper usage. <\/p>\n

Turmeric (Curcuma longa<\/em>) is a well known herb and has been used for centuries in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine protocols.\u00a0 Given it’s traditional history, the majority of usage has been in people, but there is evidence of utilization in horses and other livestock as the need has arisen in time.\u00a0 Turmeric is well-researched, and in truth, likely one of the most heavily researched herbs in current history, noting its ability to significantly modify the inflammatory response<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the mother root or herb, of which there are many active chemicals, referred to as phytochemicals, present within the herb.\u00a0 One of which is the group of curcuminoids, which is composed of curcumin, demothoxycurcumin, and bisdemothoxycurcumin.\u00a0 Aside from the curcuminoids, there are other active chemicals which include the natural volatile and essential oils which are present within the root.<\/p>\n

If you purchase or utilize a Turmeric compound, which is the entire herb, this powder would include all of the above, along with proteins and nutrients that are naturally found, including resins.\u00a0 However, these compounds are present at low numbers within the whole root powder.\u00a0 Curcuminoids, as an example, are generally found in levels of 2-5% within a whole-root turmeric powder, as an example.<\/p>\n

Considering that much of the research has revolved around the active chemicals in turmeric, most research studies are utilizing a concentrated extract which usually contains around 95% curcumin.\u00a0 This ‘curcumin’ includes the 3 forms noted above in most cases.\u00a0 There are also many research studies revolving around the volatile oils and essential oils present within the root.\u00a0 These phytochemicals, being curcumin or oils, have been found to have significant abilities in impacting the inflammatory process on many levels.<\/p>\n

Turmeric powders, while effective in some cases, contain 2-5% curcumin, while a concentrated curcumin extract will contain 95% or higher.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Curcumin and Absorption Concerns in the Horse<\/span><\/h3>\n

When it comes to turmeric or curcumin in the horse or in people, the question is of benefit always seems to revolve around bioavailability or absorption.\u00a0 This is one of the biggest concerns with doctors, veterinarians, or horse owners.\u00a0 Is the turmeric or curcumin absorbed?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 Most will say that it is not, based on research, and therefore the herb is not effective on any level.\u00a0 This is absolutely false, based on our research and clinical usage of curcumin.<\/em><\/p>\n

Turmeric (Curcuma longa<\/em>) has been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, generally as a part of an herbal blend to support and promote health.\u00a0 It is known and utilized to benefit the liver, removing stagnation of energy, improving circulation, benefiting the joints, digestion, inflammation, and detoxification purposes.<\/p>\n

Clinical research for the past 20 years, has focused on one major aspect of turmeric or curcumin, which is its ability to modulate or impact the inflammatory response.\u00a0 This ability to impact the inflammatory response has noted to provide benefit in cases of joint problems, immune related issues, digestive concerns, and even cognitive issues in people.<\/p>\n

Now, the question comes as to absorption of this very valuable herb and with that, the ultimate question of whether or not it is of clinical benefit to your horse.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

First<\/strong>, turmeric has been utilized for centuries in alternative medicine with known clinical benefits, otherwise it would not have been nor still clinically utilized.\u00a0 So, whether or not absorption is a factor, it is not even a major consideration, considering its historic usage and benefits.<\/p>\n

Second<\/strong>, even if absorption of turmeric was a consideration, you must look at the properties of the herb.\u00a0 Turmeric is lipid or fat soluble, meaning it dissolves in fatty solutions and does not dissolve in water.\u00a0 This is easily demonstrated if you put turmeric or curcumin a glass of water and stir, versus putting it in a glass of olive oil and stir.\u00a0 One will go into solution and the other will not.\u00a0 The point here is that turmeric and thus curcumin, requires fat in order to be more effective and be absorbed, as fat will bind the herb and move it across the lining of the intestinal tract more readily than water. In seeing this, we then have to look at turmeric in comparison to curcumin.\u00a0 Turmeric contains a small percentage of natural essential and volatile oils, while curcumin extracts do not for the most part.\u00a0 Thus, while we are striving to focus on ‘active’ chemicals, such as curcumin, we are losing other beneficial components to the herb, and possibly are impacting absorption.<\/p>\n

Third<\/strong>, in the world of medicine, we like to think that everything must be absorbed and maintain a steady blood or serum level in order to be effective.\u00a0 The reason we believe this or subscribe to this philosophy is that this is what we expect of our drugs.\u00a0 Give a medication by mouth and it has to be absorbed to impact a joint at a distant location.\u00a0 But this is not necessarily true.\u00a0 Research has indicated that after consumption of a curcumin extract, blood levels are very low, while levels remain high in the digestive tract, and moderate in the liver and kidney.\u00a0 The interesting part here is that based on research, patients find benefit in joint pain reduction after consumption.\u00a0 Now, how can this be if the blood levels are very low??\u00a0 The explanation behind this phenomenon is cellular signaling and the interconnection between organ systems in the horse and your own body.<\/em>\u00a0 If you can benefit the digestive tract, as an example, it is not uncommon then to have noted benefits in your horse’s joints, lungs, or even their mind.\u00a0 \u00a0More on this to follow.<\/p>\n

Fourth<\/strong>, when you look at herbs and past usage in alternative medicine, dosage and synergism must be kept in mind.\u00a0 For instance, in the average research trial, it is not uncommon to see patients using 500 -1000 mg per day of Curcumin, while if you look at herbal pharmacology texts, you will see that there are general recommendations for up to 10 grams per day, possibly higher.\u00a0 \u00a0So, to conclude that an herb such as turmeric is ineffective when a person took 500 mg or a horse consumed 2000 mg is not necessarily true, as you can hopefully see that dosing is critical and can vary from patient to patient.\u00a0 Finally, in Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine, it is not common to utilize a single herb to assist a patient.\u00a0 Instead, what you will find is that most utilize several herbs in a blend, which may include curcumin, to assist that patient.\u00a0 This approach not only allows the herbalist to manage several issues with one formula, but also allows for synergism between herbs.\u00a0 This synergism effect may then allow for a reduction in the individual doses required.<\/p>\n

Using Curcumin or Turmeric Properly in Your Horse<\/span><\/h3>\n

As a veterinarian, I understand the need and desire to overcome some health and lameness problems in your horse.\u00a0 I also understand the need and desire to reduce or eliminate medications.\u00a0 To me, as a health care provider for horse, herbs and nutrition are the only way to promote health and soundness for the long-term.\u00a0 The key here, when making a choice to utilize herbs, is to use them properly<\/strong>.\u00a0 This requires a certain level of understanding, which can be complex or very basic.<\/p>\n

The ultimate question is whether or not turmeric or curcumin is effective in a horse, right?\u00a0 The answer is ‘yes’, it can be very effective, however, it must be used properly!<\/p>\n

Clinical situations in the horse where turmeric or curcumin is beneficial:<\/strong><\/p>\n