Knee osteoarthritis is a distinctive type of degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease that affects the knee and leads to many different symptoms like swelling, pain, disfigured cartilage, limited motion, and atypical bone growth.
Knee Osteoarthritis and Sesame Seeds
Sesame is a plant that has been grown by people for thousands of years. There are records about sesame written by the Ancient Egyptians in which they mention sesame as an efficient natural remedy. People have used sesame to produce nutritious and tasty oils for more than 5 millennia.
There are many different varieties of sesame and that’s why you can find this plant in different colors like red, black, white, and yellow.
A group of researchers from the Iranian Tabriz University has focused on studying the effects of sesame on the symptoms and signs of knee osteoarthritis. As previously mentioned some of the symptoms include atypical bone growth, limited motion, swelling, and pain.
50 participants suffering from knee osteoarthritis were part of this study. They were separated into two groups. 25 of them were part of the so-called sesame group and they practiced a standard drug therapy along with consumption of 40 grams of sesame per day.
The other group was practicing only the standard therapy which included intake of 500 milligrams of glucosamine daily (glucosamine is a well-known natural remedy used in cases of arthritis) along with 500 milligrams of Tylenol which was taken twice a day.
The results
This study lasted for about 60 days and after it was finished these two groups were tested for their pain sensitivity. Arthritis sufferers that have taken sesame had notably less pain when they were compared with the other group.
It is worth mentioning that all participants took the so-called Timed Up and Go test (a test designed to find out more about the individual’s mobility focused on their dynamic and static balance), but it turned out that all patients showed more or less the same results.
The Conclusion
These interesting results became available to the public in October 2013 when they were published in the reputable NCBI. The truth is that this was a small study, but the results will surely encourage other scientists to make more tests that will include sesame.
Sesame seeds can improve the effects of traditional therapy for knee osteoarthritis.
It is also good to emphasize the fact that although sesame seeds did a great job when it comes to pain produced by knee osteoarthritis, the study didn’t show whether this plant can completely replace the standard therapy or not.
The results that were published are certainly positive because patients can improve their health condition.
8 Hand Exercises to Ease Arthritis Pain
How Much are 40 Grams of Sesame Seeds?
There are about 9 grams of sesame seeds in one tablespoon which means that four tablespoons are equal to 40 grams of sesame seeds – the recommended dose used in the previously mentioned study. The scientists that were part of the study used powdered sesame seeds because this form helps the absorption.
To experience the best results, look for raw organic sesame seeds here. Use a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle to grind the sesame. Eat the sesame seeds and feel the positive effects of this ancient plant.
Sesame seeds are excellent when it comes to better blood circulation and heart, but they are also great mood boosters and prevent the development of cancer.
Knee Osteoarthritis and Turmeric
The efficiency and effectiveness of Curcuma extract in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis was the main focus of a study that took place 6 years ago. The results were published in the reputable The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
The study was conducted in Thailand and included 107 patients suffering from this disease. They were separated into two groups – one that took 2 grams of turmeric extract a day and one that took 800mg of ibuprofen a day.
After six weeks when the trial was over, all patients were tested for the following performance:
- Climbing the stairs;
- Walking;
- The intensity of pain they feel during these activities.
The truth is that all patients experienced improvement after the trial was finished, but the patients who took turmeric extract experienced less pain when they used the stairs. The conclusion was that Curcuma extract provides similar effects to Ibuprofen when it comes to knee osteoarthritis treatment.
A recent study that was published last year, came with even more proof about the efficiency of turmeric. This was a slightly bigger study and included more than 250 patients.
Once again, the location where this study took place was Thailand. This time the researchers were looking at the intensity of pain and the functional improvement in patients taking Curcuma extract.
This was another confirmation that Curcuma is as efficient as ibuprofen, but it comes with a significantly reduced number of side effects.
The patients experienced fewer digestive problems, symptoms typical for patients who take Ibuprofen.
