I’ve had my fair share of patients with gastrointestinal issues. It breaks my heart to see the hard time they have, as they can’t take NSAIDs to ease their knee pain quickly.
Drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac can cause and aggravate digestive disorders. This makes it extremely challenging to treat chronic problems like knee osteoarthritis. (1)
Fortunately, research has found that turmeric can provide relief just like an NSAID would, without the side effects. (2) Add ginger, a spice known for aiding gastric problems, and you have the ideal pain reliever that’s also easy on the stomach. (3)
That’s the combo we found in Turmeric & Ginger VitaPost. Review the following topics, as they are what we’ll analyze about the product, or tap on any of them to read our take:
- How it eases pain and inflammation
- Concerns about safety and side effects
- Breakdown of ingredients
- How to take it safely
- Cheapest place to buy Turmeric & Ginger
- Should you take or avoid it?
- Turmeric & Ginger alternatives
- FAQs about this supplement
What is Turmeric & Ginger?
Turmeric & Ginger is a supplement that combines two of the most popular natural extracts out there.
They have been extensively researched, showing that apart from helping with pain and inflammation, both have antioxidant properties that can support joint and muscle health. (4)
This supplement contains turmeric, curcuminoids, ginger, and a piperine extract. They all work together to aid with symptoms while minimizing gastric side effects.
Here’s an overview of Turmeric & Ginger:
- Name and Brand: Turmeric & Ginger from VitaPost.
- Who should be most interested in this supplement?: People with stomach issues wanting a natural and effective solution for their knee pain.
- Who should take this with caution?: Those under anticoagulant medications or suffering from kidney stones.
- Does it offer great value for money?: Indeed. The amount of ingredients is right, the price is average, and each bottle lasts for 1 month.
- Where is the best place to buy it?: On their website (TurmericGinger.net).
Our rating: 9.5/10
Pros
- Turmeric has tons of research showing its benefits for managing pain and inflammation.
- Has enough ginger to help with indigestion, nausea, acid reflux, and other gastric issues.
- Contains the right dosage of piperine to ensure proper absorption.
- Both spices work as an immune system booster as well.
- High content of antioxidants to support joint health.
- Very safe supplement, with as little risk of side effects as you can get.
Cons
- It should be taken on a daily basis for 8-12 weeks to see results.
- Not for those taking blood thinners or with kidney stones.
- Should be taken with foods to minimize side effects.
How does Turmeric & Ginger work?
Turmeric & Ginger mainly works via its turmeric and curcuminoid content.
Turmeric is a spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant. It’s been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries before modern medicine confirmed its health benefits. (5)
Now, this turmeric supplement has the ideal amount of it to provide results like ibuprofen or diclofenac minus the side effects. Its antioxidant properties also help the immune system naturally. (2)
It has a piperine extract (BioPerine) as well, needed to help your body absorb these nutrients. (6)
But the added benefit of Turmeric & Ginger is, well, ginger.
This spice is derived from the Zingiber officinale plant. It also provides potent antioxidant support and helps keep a healthy immune system. But it excels in easing stomach problems, like indigestion and nausea. (3)
Ginger makes this supplement the safest choice for those who can’t take NSAIDs for whatever reason. It can help reduce or prevent stomach issues while turmeric does its thing.
Is Turmeric & Ginger safe? Are there any side effects?
This turmeric and ginger supplement is extremely safe. The major side effect most people would feel is some gastrointestinal upset or a mild headache. (3)
The risk of suffering from side effects will increase if you take more than 4 capsules in a day, or ingest them on an empty stomach. So, as long as you stick to the instructions of 2 pills daily accompanied by meals, you’ll be good to go. (7)
However, people taking blood thinners or with a history of kidney stones should consult with their doctors first.
This is because of the potential side effects of turmeric (8, 9):
- It may increase the likelihood of developing a kidney stone.
- It enhances the effect of blood thinners.
As for ginger, it’s one of the safest supplements out there – it can be taken even during pregnancy without a problem. (3)
WARNING. If you’re taking prescription medication, please consult with your physician before taking this or any other supplement.
Turmeric & Ginger’s natural ingredients
Organic turmeric
This spice provides a myriad of health benefits, proven by research time and time again. Its effects on knee pain and inflammation are comparable to those of over-the-counter painkillers but without the side effects. (2, 10)
To get knee pain relief, the best dosage is around 1000 mg daily. And, taking 2 capsules of Vitapost Turmeric & Ginger daily will give you exactly that. (10)
Learn more: The effects of turmeric on knee pain.
Ginger extract
Ginger is another popular spice that, like turmeric, also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is thanks to one of its active compounds – gingerol. (11, 12)
Now, the dosage is lower than recommended for pain relief. But, it’s more than enough to complement the effects of turmeric and curcuminoids, while making it much easier for the stomach than if taken without it. (3)
Curcuminoids
These are substances naturally present in turmeric. They provide potent antioxidant support and are responsible for the joint health benefits of the spice. (13)
One capsule of Turmeric & Ginger contains around 50 mg of curcuminoids, almost twice the amount needed to ease joint pain. (13)
BioPerine
As great as turmeric and ginger are, our body is capable of absorbing only a fraction of them, unless there’s an added ingredient to facilitate this process. That’s the job of BioPerine.
This is a black pepper extract that dramatically increases the absorption of the spices. It makes sure your body can reap as many health benefits as possible from this dietary supplement. (6)
Dosage and instructions
Take 1 capsule twice a day along with a meal. After a week or two, you could try taking both at the same time if it’s more practical for you, but this may cause some digestive discomfort.
Now, each capsule is less than an inch long and filled with powder. This means it’s comfortable to swallow for most of us, but you can’t cut it in half.
You could open it and mix its contents with a smoothie or other foods. But, this will probably ruin the taste of whatever you’re eating. And yes, I learned that the hard way – don’t repeat my mistakes!
Where can I buy Turmeric & Ginger?
Choose the safest (and budget-friendly) option by buying Turmeric & Ginger directly on their website: TurmericGinger.net.
They offer packages of 1, 2, or 3 bottles. The latter is the best one, as they give you a fourth bottle for free – a 4-month supply for the price of 3. This also reduces the shipping costs in the long term.
Now, apart from the free bottle and shipping benefits, buying directly from them also lets you use their return policy if you ever need it. You can return your unopened bottles within 5 months of purchase.
Should you take or avoid Turmeric & Ginger?
Turmeric & Ginger will be ideal for those with chronic joint problems, like knee osteoarthritis, that also have associated gastrointestinal conditions.
It will help with symptoms without aggravating your stomach issues. It’s also a good choice for people that can’t take NSAIDs for any reason.
But, people taking anticoagulants or with a history of kidney stones should consult their doctors first. Also, this supplement won’t provide quick relief, it has a cumulative effect that shows results after 2-3 months. (10)
Alternatives to Turmeric & Ginger
- VitaPost Turmeric Curcumin Plus: More turmeric but without the ginger. If you don’t have stomach problems, this will be a better choice.
- ProJoint Plus: Its main ingredient is glucosamine, known for its ability to boost the regeneration of cartilage. It also has turmeric and other ingredients to enhance its effects.
Further reading: How long does it take for CBD oil to aid knee pain?
FAQs
What are the benefits of turmeric and ginger?
Turmeric and ginger can aid with pain and inflammation, while being much safer than pain killers.
Is it OK to take ginger and turmeric together?
Yes, it’s ok to take ginger and turmeric together. As long as you stick to the recommended dose, there shouldn’t be any problem.
How long do turmeric and ginger take to work?
Turmeric and ginger have a cumulative effect, needing between 8 to 12 weeks of continuous use to show benefits. (10)
My verdict: Turmeric & Ginger relieves symptoms and keeps your stomach happy
Turmeric & Ginger from VitaPost has all the right ingredients, at all the right doses, to ease your knee pain just like ibuprofen or diclofenac would. But without being so aggressive to your digestive tract. (2, 10)
The antioxidant properties of these spices also keep you healthy in other ways. They fight off free radicals and make your immune system stronger, for example.
Also, VitaPost manufactures this supplement in an FDA-registered facility. This adds another layer of security, knowing that the ingredients are completely natural and safe for your body.
With that said, please seek professional medical advice before taking any supplement if you’re under prescription medication. Or if you have a chronic medical condition.
Resources
- Goldstein, Jay L, and Byron Cryer. “Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies.” Drug, healthcare and patient safety vol. 7 31-41. 22 Jan. 2015, DOI: 10.2147/DHPS.S71976
- Paultre, Kristopher et al. “Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.” BMJ open sport & exercise medicine vol. 7, 1 e000935. 13 Jan. 2021, DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000935
- Nikkhah Bodagh, Mehrnaz et al. “Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials.” Food science & nutrition vol. 7, 1 96-108. 5 Nov. 2018, DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.807
- Lakhan, Shaheen E et al. “Zingiberaceae extracts for pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Nutrition journal vol. 14 50. 14 May. 2015, DOI: 10.1186/s12937-015-0038-8
- Fadus, Matthew C et al. “Curcumin: An age-old anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic agent.” Journal of traditional and complementary medicine vol. 7, 3 339-346. 9 Sep. 2016, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.08.002
- Fernández-Lázaro, Diego et al. “Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications.” Nutrients vol. 12, 6 1886. 24 Jun. 2020, DOI: 10.3390/nu12061886
- Lao, Christopher D et al. “Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine vol. 6 10. 17 Mar. 2006, DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-6-10
- Tang, Minghua et al. “Effect of cinnamon and turmeric on urinary oxalate excretion, plasma lipids, and plasma glucose in healthy subjects.” The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 87,5 (2008): 1262-7. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1262
- Kim, Dong-Chan et al. “Anticoagulant activities of curcumin and its derivative.” BMB reports vol. 45,4 (2012): 221-6. DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2012.45.4.221
- Daily, James W et al. “Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.” Journal of medicinal food vol. 19, 8 (2016): 717-29. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2016.3705
- Heidari-Beni, Motahar et al. “Herbal formulation “turmeric extract, black pepper, and ginger” versus Naproxen for chronic knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.” Phytotherapy research : PTR vol. 34, 8 (2020): 2067-2073. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6671
- Araya-Quintanilla, Felipe et al. “Effectiveness of Ginger on Pain and Function in Knee Osteoarthritis: A PRISMA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Pain physician vol. 23, 2 (2020): E151-E161.
- Amalraj, Augustine et al. “Biological activities of curcuminoids, other biomolecules from turmeric and their derivatives – A review.” Journal of traditional and complementary medicine vol. 7, 2 205-233. 15 Jun. 2016, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.05.005