Curcumin and Fenugreek May Help Improve Joint Comfort

Knee discomfort can make it hard to perform everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs. A recent study has found that supplementation with curcumin and fenugreek may help improve joint comfort, stiffness, and physical function.

Seventy-two adults with mild to moderate knee discomfort participated in the study. They received 400 mg of curcumin and fenugreek or 500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and 415 mg of chondroitin sulphate daily for 6 weeks. The researchers measured walking performance and scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline, day 28, and day 42.

Participants in the curcumin-fenugreek group saw a 206% improvement in walking performance compared to baseline. They also saw a 31% improvement in discomfort, a 33% improvement in stiffness, and a 36% improvement in physical function. In comparison, participants in the glucosamine-chondroitin group saw improvements of 26%, 13%, and 17%, respectively.

In addition, participants in the curcumin-fenugreek group saw a 47% improvement in VAS scores, compared to a 25% improvement in the glucosamine-chondroitin group. They also saw a reduction in markers of inflammation.

The study was conducted by researchers from Leads Clinical Research & Bio Services Pvt. Ltd.It was published online ahead of print on November 18, 2020 in the journal Phytotherapy Research.