Health Highlights: June 23, 2008

The study appears on the U.K. National Institute for Health Research Web site.

In the past, doctors have likely under-prescribed topical creams because they didn't believe they were as effective as pills, an Arthritis Research Campaign spokeswoman toldBBC News.

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Turmeric May Help Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk

The curry spice turmeric may help reverse obesity-related inflammation and reduce type 2 diabetes risk, according to Columbia University Medical Center researchers.

In obese mice, turmeric significantly reduced inflammation in fat tissue and the liver and reduced the rodents' susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. The researchers believe curcumin -- an ingredient in turmeric -- may be responsible,United Press Internationalreported.

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society and will be published in the journalEndocrinology.

"It's too early to tell whether increasing dietary curcumin -- via turmeric -- intake in obese people with diabetes will show a similar benefit," researcher Dr. Drew Tortoriello said in a prepared statement,UPIreported.

"Although the daily intake of curcumin one might have to consume as a primary diabetes treatment is likely impractical, it is entirely possible that lower dosages of curcumin could nicely complement our traditional therapies as a natural and safe treatment," Tortoriello said.