Though it isn't the most pleasant issue to discuss, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious condition that can dramatically affect an individual's quality of life. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IBD typically sets in between ages 15 and 30, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis named as the most popular forms. Both are related to an abnormal immune response, as the body's natural defenses see food, bacteria and other matter in the gut as a threat – leading to inflammation of the digestive tract.
Current treatments for IBD include a range of approaches including nutritional guidance, medication and even surgery. Recently, researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong sought to evaluate existing data on herbal remedies, such as curcumin, on this condition.
"Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), particularly herbal therapy, is widely used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but controlled data are limited," the study abstract states. "[Our goal is] to systematically review the literature on the efficacy of herbal therapy in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD)."
The scientists evaluated 21 clinical trials on CAM that showed results for 1,484 IBD-sufferers. They noted that, based on this data, "curcumin was superior to placebo in maintaining remission."
Though this finding is promising, the researchers explained that more extensive research is necessary to confirm the benefits of curcumin supplements for IBD.
Curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, has been shown to enhance overall health in many ways, from potentially stopping the spread of cancer cells to combating the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Click here to read more information about Nutrivene Longvida Curcumin.