Bio Briefs

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Flinn Foundation

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Jul 21, 2009
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UA investigators say curcumin may be viable supplement to treat IBD

Tags: ua, university of arizona

[Source: University of Arizona Communications] - Turmeric – the key ingredient in curry – has been used in India for thousands of years to help treat colds, inflammation, arthritis and even cancer.

 

Now, researchers at the Steele Children’s Research Center at The University of Arizona have found that curcumin (the biologically active ingredient in turmeric) may be a viable supplement to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Basically, they have shown that curcumin decreases the severe inflammation and resultant intestinal damage caused by IBD.

 

IBD refers to two inflammatory diseases: Crohn’s Disease, which affects the entire gastrointestinal tract, and ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon. Both cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue and weight loss. As many as one in 500 individuals will be diagnosed with IBD each year, and IBD typically is diagnosed in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19. Approximately 1 million individuals in the United States suffer from IBD.

 

For more information: UA Steele Children’s Research Center Investigators: Curcumin May be Viable Supplement to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)