Knee osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that affects the knee and leads to many different symptoms such as swelling, pain, worn cartilage, limited motion, and atypical bone growth. Sesame seeds and turmeric are two foods that researchers have studied in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Knee Osteoarthritis and Sesame Seeds
Sesame is a plant that people have grown for thousands of years. There are records written by the Ancient Egyptians in which sesame is mentioned as a traditional 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 these seeds in different colors such as red, black, white, and yellow.
A group of researchers from Tabriz University in Iran studied the effects of sesame on the signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. As mentioned, some of the symptoms include atypical bone growth, limited motion, swelling, and pain.
Fifty participants with knee osteoarthritis took part in this study. They were separated into two groups. Twenty-five of them were in the so-called sesame group, and they followed standard drug therapy along with eating 40 grams of sesame per day.
The other group followed only the standard therapy, which included 500 milligrams of glucosamine daily (glucosamine is a well-known supplement often used by people with arthritis) along with 500 milligrams of Tylenol taken twice a day.
The Results
The study lasted for about 60 days, and after it was finished the two groups were tested for their pain sensitivity. The participants who had taken sesame along with their standard therapy reported notably less pain 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 assess a person’s mobility, focused on their dynamic and static balance), and all patients showed more or less the same results.
The Conclusion
These results were published in October 2013 and are available through NCBI. This was a small study, but the results may encourage other scientists to do more research that includes sesame.
The study suggests that sesame seeds may be a useful addition to standard therapy for knee osteoarthritis.
It is also important to emphasize that the sesame was taken together with the standard therapy, not instead of it. The study did not show that sesame can replace the treatment prescribed by a doctor.
8 Hand Exercises to Ease Arthritis Pain
How Much Is 40 Grams of Sesame Seeds?
There are about 9 grams of sesame seeds in one tablespoon, which means that roughly four tablespoons equal 40 grams of sesame seeds – the amount used in the study mentioned above. The scientists used powdered sesame seeds because this form is easier to absorb.
You can find raw organic sesame seeds here. Use a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle to grind the sesame, and add it to your meals.
Sesame seeds are a nutritious food that fits well into a balanced, heart-friendly diet, and many people enjoy them as part of a routine that also includes relaxing, mood-lifting habits.
Knee Osteoarthritis and Turmeric
The effects of Curcuma (turmeric) extract in patients with knee osteoarthritis were the main focus of an earlier study. The results were published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
The study was conducted in Thailand and included 107 patients with this condition. They were separated into two groups – one that took 2 grams of turmeric extract a day and one that took 800 mg of ibuprofen a day.
After six weeks, when the trial was over, all patients were assessed on the following:
- Climbing the stairs;
- Walking;
- The intensity of pain they felt during these activities.
All patients reported improvement after the trial was finished, and the patients who took turmeric extract reported less pain when they used the stairs. The researchers concluded that the two groups had similar results in this trial.
A later study looked at the same question. It was slightly bigger and included more than 250 patients.
Once again, the study took place in Thailand. This time the researchers looked at the intensity of pain and the functional improvement in patients taking Curcuma extract.
The results were again similar in the Curcuma and ibuprofen groups, and the patients taking Curcuma extract reported fewer digestive complaints.
These studies are limited, and turmeric extract can interact with some medicines. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication on your own – talk to your doctor before adding supplements.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.