Benefits of Tumeric & Black Pepper?

[Charlie]

Charlie has had a recurring shoulder injury since he was a puppy before he came to us. Now that he is 8 1/2 years old it is troubling him a bit more, especially if he runs and turns in a certain way. Straight running/retrieving and swimming are absolutely fine. I have taken him to the vet several times but they can't find anything wrong after much manipulation etc. They just prescribe Metacam.

I have been reading about the benefits of Tumeric & Black Pepper for Charlie. Do any of you use it for your dogs and what if any are the benefits for pain, anti inflamatory properties, joint issues? It's supposed to be very good for supporting good health in lots of other ways too. Do you make it yourself? I would be very grateful for your input. Thanks xx

 

[Cupcase]

I used it for Cassie, I made it myself. It was actually my vet who recommended it a few years ago. She ended up smelling of cat pee but the remedy for that was to add some cinnamon to the mix, it has to be ceylon cinnamon not the stuff you find in the supermarket.
Cassie had this for two years a long with green lipped mussel (human capsules as add dog to a label and it makes it special and expensive lol). I found that it definitely helped for the first couple of years but she got stiffer again about a year ago and I made the decision when she was 13 to put her on metacam . I stopped the turmeric as I didn't want any upsets. I also needed to know whether the metacam was working on its own. So far we've been lucky with the metacam.
I shall dig out the measures I used.

 

[Charlie]

That's very helpful, thank you so much. x

 

[Jacqui-S]

I had a quick scan of this article
Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health
It's a reasonable source.
Studies look fairly small but sounds as if it could be as good as NSAIDs for arthritis

 

[Jacqui-S]

And tells you too that the black pepper extract increased the bioavailability of the curcumin

 

[Cupcase]

Cassies amount started lower, I built up to this. It was 3/4 teaspoon twice a day with 3 dash of pepper sprinkled the cinnamon on it and added it to her mince.
My dogs are both raw fed, so it was easy to get her to take it, but I did start slowly as one teaspoon of turmeric looks a lot in her dish. I mixed it with Greek yogurt on the days they got whole foods. She's only 23 kg so a normal sized lab would be a teaspoon and 4 dash pepper.

 

[Beanwood]

I had a quick scan of this article
Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health
It's a reasonable source.
Studies look fairly small but sounds as if it could be as good as NSAIDs for arthritis

I have read a few studies now which show reduction in various inflammatory markers. The gang get turmeric in their kongs. I pop turmeric and cinnamon in the kong mixture. This also goes hand in hand with a low carb diet

Golden Paste with Cinnamon

 

[Charlie]

That's exactly what I have been reading about @Jacqui-S . It seems to be a very good alternative way to support good health and reduce inflamation and joint pain aswell as a lot of other stuff. I think I am going to give it a go with Charlie xx

 

[Atemas]

I have just stopped taking turmeric and black pepper capsules for my arthritis as unfortunately it hasn’t helped at all - disappointing really. We do use quite a bit of turmeric in our cooking so possibly my arthritis would be even worse without that.

 

[M.F.]

I make it myself and take a teaspoon every morning. I give Snowie the same. The vet physio recommended it, said she takes it herself for her neck. Since taking it, I feel less pain in my joints. Although I’ve also started yoga, so it’s difficult to know if it’s working or not.

The cat wee smell on Snowie is awful! I need to get some Ceylon cinnamon. Fortunately I don’t smell of cat wee—I hope!!

Piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, inhibits the liver enzyme that breaks down curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, so that the curcumin remains in the blood longer and therefore can have a longer-lasting effect. It’s recommended to take less more often for this reason.

To improve absorption, add fat. You’ll see the recipe includes coconut oil. Apparently any oil is good for the purpose of improving absorption.

I buy organic turmeric powder. I cook 1/2 cup turmeric with about a cup of water. Simmer and stir for 7 minutes to break down the cellulose cell walls to increase availability of the curcumin. Add more water if necessary while cooking to keep it stirrable (should be a soft paste). Let it cool. Then add two teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper (apparently piperine is sensitive to heat, hence wait till it’s cooled). Also add 1/4 cup coconut oil. I freeze small portions cos he goes off quickly, even in the fridge. I keep a small jar in the fridge to last about a week.

I’ve heard anecdotally about much better results from the homemade stuff rather than the capsules of just the active ingredient.

 

[Stacia]

Very interested in this as Rourke cannot take NSAID. Vet said it could give 10% improvement only.

 

[M.F.]

Very interested in this as Rourke cannot take NSAID. Vet said it could give 10% improvement only.

It’s really worth a shot. Worst case is he’ll smell of cat wee! Otherwise, there is no known harm it can cause @1-2tsp per day.

 

[Stacia]

Not sure I Iike the idea of the cat pee aroma

 

[M.F.]

Not sure I Iike the idea of the cat pee aroma

For the anti-inflammatory benefits, it’s absolutely worth it. And if you really can’t stand the smell, stop feeding it and it goes away immediately. It’s very short-lived.

 

[Loraseal]

Bit slow to see the thread!!
I make it for Hunter and I do see a difference in his joints. It is not "It's a miracle he can walk without limping" change bit it does help reduce the swelling on his joints and is also a powerful antioxidant.
The World Famous Recipe
HOW TO FEED TURMERIC TO DOGS
I start with a small dose (1/2 tsp) and build it up to 2 tsp per day (initial big dose = big runny poops as it is also an antioxidant!!).
I use coco oil and freeze half the batch in baby avent containers!
I make it less sloppy so I mix it with the salmon oil in his food.
I never noticed the cat pee aroma!!
Like @M.F. says it is worth a shot.
X

 

[Cupcase]

Cassie stank until I found the ceylon cinnamon added to the mix and it disappeared.

 

[Boogie]

I have arthritis in my hands, knees, toes and hips. I tried this but couldn’t sustain it - I simply can’t find a palatable way of eating it.

I wonder if they do it in capsule form?

Glucosamine is essential to me - I know about it if I even miss one tablet.

 

[Stacia]

Rourke also has tendonitis in both shoulders.

 

[Loraseal]

@Boogie, Holland and Barrett sell it. Make sure the turmeric is organic as it is better quality! I am not sure what the soft capsule is made of though!
I use the golden paste in my greek yoghurt with my pumpkin seeds, cinnamon and berries...Got used to the paper yuk taste of turmeric!

 

[Selina27]

I have arthritis in my hands, knees, toes and hips

I have one badly arthritic knee, years ago I was advised, by my chiropracter among others, to take cider vinegar. I can definitely say this helps, if I haven't taken it for a while and then I start again within a week I can feel an improvement in the movement and flexibility in the joint itself, the swelling and inflammation is gone.
She also advised I cut out gluten and sugar, not easy, but I've been giving it my best shot. She also told me about turmeric but I haven't persevered with that myself so can't comment.

t does help reduce the swelling

From personal experience I'd say this improves comfort.