367 people with knee osteoarthritis took either turmeric extract or ibuprofen every day for 4 weeks in a double-blind trial across eight Thai hospitals. Both groups improved by a similar amount on standard pain, stiffness and function scores, and both walked a similar distance in 6 minutes. Stomach pain was reported less often in the turmeric group.
Knee osteoarthritis is a wearing of the knee joint that causes pain and limits walking. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are the usual prescription, but some patients cannot take them because of stomach effects such as ulcers and bleeding. Curcumin, the pigment in turmeric, blocks several inflammatory pathways in laboratory work. The same group ran a smaller single-blind trial in 2009 that had too few patients and a below-therapeutic ibuprofen dose. This larger trial was built to fix that.
A double-blind randomized non-inferiority trial across eight Thai tertiary hospitals, recruiting July 2010 to March 2012. Of 524 screened, 367 with primary knee osteoarthritis were randomized: 185 to Curcuma domestica extract at 1,500 mg per day, 182 to ibuprofen at 1,200 mg per day. Entry required knee pain of at least 5 out of 10 and age 50 or over. Both were identical capsules made by the hospital pharmacy, taken three times daily after meals for four weeks. The main outcome was the WOMAC score for pain, stiffness and function, each 0 to 10, higher worse. A six-minute walk test and adverse events were also recorded. The non-inferiority margin was 0.5 points. 331 completed, 171 on the extract and 160 on ibuprofen. Mean age was about 60 and nine in ten were women.
Both groups improved from baseline on every WOMAC score, P less than 0.001. Direct between-group comparison showed no difference: P = 0.326 total, 0.531 pain, 0.522 stiffness, 0.278 function. On the non-inferiority test at week 4, adjusted for baseline, the extract met the margin for:
The stiffness subscale missed the margin, showing only a trend at P = 0.060. Six-minute walk distance was 348 versus 345 meters, P = 0.320. Adverse events affected 35.7 percent on ibuprofen and 29.7 percent on the extract, P = 0.222. Abdominal pain or distension was lower with the extract, 10.8 versus 18.1 percent, P = 0.046. Two ibuprofen patients had melena, blood in the stool, and seven left that arm over side effects against one on the extract.
There is no placebo arm, so improvement in both groups cannot be separated from natural fluctuation. The trial ran four weeks and says nothing about longer use. Analysis was per protocol, not intention to treat, and 36 randomized people were left out. The ibuprofen dose of 1,200 mg per day sits at the low end, and the authors cite work showing 1,800 mg per day gives better symptom control, so the comparison arm may have been weaker than standard care elsewhere. Participants were mostly Thai women around 60. Funding came from the National Research Council of Thailand, the Clinical Research and Collaborative Network, and the Thai Government Pharmaceutical Organization, a state-owned drug maker. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The article is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 license.
This is evidence in a clinical population: older adults with diagnosed knee osteoarthritis and moderate pain. It does not extend to healthy or younger people. The finding is non-inferiority over four weeks: the extract was not measurably worse than a modest ibuprofen dose on pain and function. It is not a finding that it works better, and stiffness failed. Without a placebo group the trial cannot show either treatment beats no treatment.
That depends on the specific medication and formula. A few, like blood thinners with CurQLife or blood pressure medication with MaxiNOs, are worth a direct conversation with your doctor first. Check each formula's own FAQ section for specifics, or ask your health coach.
No, and we'd rather be upfront about it. Bacopa, the plant in BacoZest, has published human studies, though they used other bacopa extracts. OptiNOs and MaxiNOs each have human studies sponsored by their maker, Laila Nutraceuticals, which haven't been published in a journal. CurQLife's research is still early, from lab and animal studies, and we label it that way.
It depends on what you're building your routine around. BacoZest is built around bacopa, which is studied for memory.* OptiNOs supports strength and muscular endurance alongside resistance training.* MaxiNOs was studied for healthy blood vessel function.* CurQLife's research is still at the lab stage. Your health coach can help you pick a starting point.
All four are built around plant extracts. OptiNOs was reported as well tolerated in its human study, and published bacopa studies reported no serious side effects. CurQLife's safety data so far comes from lab and animal testing. Check with your doctor first if you're pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a health condition.
Because the patented ingredients behind our four formulas went through dedicated research, and research costs real money. A generic curcumin or bacopa supplement hasn't been tested in the form you get from us. You're paying for an ingredient with research behind it, not just a label.
Generic ingredients often haven't been studied in the specific form you're buying. Our four core formulas use patented ingredients, and we show you the research behind each one, including where it's still early.
It depends on the formula. In its study, MaxiNOs blood vessel response was higher than placebo 2 to 3 hours after the first dose.* OptiNOs and bacopa were studied over 6 and 12 weeks of daily use, so give them time. CurQLife is meant to be taken daily.
Yes. BacoZest, OptiNOs, MaxiNOs, and CurQLife are built for different goals, and none of them contain stimulants. They haven't been studied together, so ask your health coach how to fit them into your routine.
