Department of Nutrition Student Projects

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Submission Date

4-26-2024

Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (BSHN)

First Mentor

Andrea Charvet, Ph.D., RDN, LDN

Keywords

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Turmeric, Inflammation, Joint pain

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects roughly 1% of the world's population. While disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are mostly used for the treatment of RA, aiming to alleviate symptoms and prevent disease progression, there are limitations such as causing gastrointestinal toxicity and economic burden. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine, specifically supplements containing turmeric, has gained attention for its potential to mitigate RA symptoms and delay disease progression. Turmeric, with its long history of medicinal use dating back thousands of years, offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative to DMARDs. The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between turmeric supplementation and inflammatory reduction in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. This study will include 200 adults ranging from 25 to 55 years of age who currently have rheumatoid arthritis. Recruitment of participants will be done by posting flyers in rheumatology offices. The research design of the study will be a randomized control clinical trial. For 6 months, participants will be followed to observe and collect data such as tender joint count, inflammation markers, joint range of motion, and joint pain and swelling. Other factors such as weight loss and BMI will also be analyzed. It is likely to take about 6 months to see significant change within participants who have RA and see physical changes. We expect to see positive results during this study that have been shown in previous studies. Positive results can result in the further implication that turmeric supplementation can become part of a comprehensive treatment plan for rheumatoid arthritis. Negative results will also be taken into consideration. Through the comprehensive analysis, it underscores the importance of ongoing research, and therapeutic strategies to improve the patient's quality of life and a given population affected by RA. The significance of the proposed study allows researchers to further develop an understanding of RA, therapeutic interventions, treatments, and enhancement of patient care.

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