Long trusted Turmeric the must have spice in every Indian home now finds itself in the limelight with western scientists raving about its potential uses to fight many tubborn inflammations and degenerative disorders thus vindicating the claims of seers as recorded in the ancient scripts of Ayurveda.

According to a recent study conducted at the University of Arizona College of Medicine by Janet L. Funk, MD, working with Barbara N. Timmermann, PhD who prepared extracts of turmeric from the root of the plant on their own to test and compare with the commercially available products found that the extracts of turmeric with major cucurminoids was most effective in completely curbing the commencement of arthritis.

Dr Funk in a statement explained that this study paved the way for effective clinical application based on accurate information to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

The results of the study show that cucurminoids acts effectively in blocking the action of a protein that triggers of genes responsible for production of inflammatory proteins that cause degeneration of joints. It also showed effectiveness in blocking the pathway that affects bone loss associated with Osteoporosis.

Turmeric may also be effective in tackling other inflammatory disorders like asthma, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disorders.

The article, 'Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Turmeric Supplements in the Treatment of Experimental Arthritisis available in the online issue of proteins and Rheumatism published on Oct. 30, 2006.