Turmeric is on top of the list as one of the most frequently mentioned medicinal herbs in all of science. The most active compound in Turmeric is the Phenolic compound Curcumin. Research continues to highlight the multitude of benefits Turmeric offers. Just a few of the more notable medicinal properties of Turmeric include it's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic/anti-cancer impact ,
anti-microbial / anti-septic effect, Cardio and Renal Protector.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF TURMERIC
Inflammation:-
Arguably, the most powerful aspect of Curcumin is its ability to control inflammation. The journal Oncogene published the results of a study that evaluated several anti-inflammatory compounds and found that aspirin and ibuprofen are least effective, while Curcumin, is among the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds in the world. This news should have reached every household in the world after the study was conducted because inflammation puts people at risk for almost every disease process known to man. Diseases today such as cancer, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, high cholesterol and chronic pain can be the result of inflammation. Turmeric’s key to disease reversal may be its ability to keep inflammation at bay. Depression:-
The journal 'Phyto therapy Research', published the results of an amazing, innovative study. The study took 60 volunteers diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), such as manic depression, and split the group to determine how patients treated by curcumin fared against fluoxetine (Prozac) and a combination of the two. Not only was it discovered that all patients tolerated curcumin well, but they discovered curcumin was as effective as Prozac in managing depression. According to the authors, “This study provides first clinical evidence that curcumin may be used as an effective and safe therapy for treatment in patients with Mild Depression.” Cancer Treatment:-
Of all the various topics scientists have tackled in regards to curcumin and disease reversal, cancer (of various types) is one of the most thoroughly researched topics. A number of laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells. A 2007 American study that combined Curcumin with chemotherapy to treat bowel cancer cells in a laboratory showed that the combined treatment killed more cancer cells than the chemotherapy alone. The American Cancer Society states, "Laboratory studies have also shown that curcumin interferes with cancer development, growth, and spread." Recently, curcumin has received a great deal of focus because of it’s ability to reduce tumor size and kill cancer cells. Arthritis Management :-
Because Curcumin is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reducing characteristics, a study was conducted on 45 rheumatoid arthritis patients to compare the benefits of curcumin in turmeric to arthritis drugs (diclofenac sodium), that put people at risk of developing leaky gut and heart disease. The study split these volunteers into three groups: Curcumin treatment alone, diclofenac sodium alone, and a combination of the two. The results of the trial were eye-opening:
The Curcumin group showed the highest percentage of improvement in overall scores and these scores were significantly better than the patients in the diclofenac sodium group. More importantly, Curcumin treatment was found to be safe and did not relate with any adverse events. This study provides the first evidence for the safety and superiority of curcumin treatment in patients with active Rheumatoid arthritis.
Published by Phyto therapy Research in 2012, the results of this study has encouraged more human research to evaluate the amazing effects curcumin-rich plants like turmeric has on people suffering from various different types of arthritis.
Diabetes Management :-
For lowering blood sugar and reversing insulin resistance there’s arguably no better natural treatment than adding turmeric into your diet.
In 2009, Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications published a study out of Auburn University that explored how supplementing with Turmeric can help reverse diabetes.
The study discovered that Curcumin in Turmeric is literally 400 times more potent than Metformin (a common diabetes drug) in activating AMPK which improves insulin sensitivity which can help reverse Type 2 Diabetes.
In addition to correcting the causes of diabetes, Curcumin has also been proven to help reverse many of the issues related to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.
Take, for instance, diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. One of the most common complications of diabetes is damaged blood vessels which cause blindness.
A study found that supplementing with Curcumin can delay this horrible complication of diabetes because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Gastrointestinal Treatments :-
Oftentimes, people with digestive and stomach complaints become intolerant to medical interventions because the stomach flora is already compromised and drugs can literally tear up the mucosal lining.
An in-depth analysis of all the studies evaluating curcumin’s ability to manage inflammatory bowel disease (IBS, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis) found that many patients were able to stop taking their prescribed Cortico steroids because their condition improved so dramatically by taking curcumin!
For many patients with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) Cortico steroids reduce their pain symptoms, but damage the intestinal lining over time actually making the condition worse.
However, supplementing with Curcumin did not have these side effects and, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, actually helped heal the gut and supported the growth of good bacteria (probiotics).
Cholesterol Regulators:-
One of the reasons heart disease is such a problem is that people are developing pre-diabetes (excessive blood sugar) at an alarming rate. In turn, diabetics and non-diabetics alike are suffering from a common complication called oxidative stress, which damages the inside of blood vessels. Because of this damage to the arteries, cholesterol begins to build up to patch up the damaged areas which leads to high levels of LDL cholesterol.
Traditionally, statin drugs (like Lipitor) are widely known to harm the kidneys and liver and cause a number of deadly side effects. They do bring cholesterol down but never address that actual cause which is oxidative stress that is caused by high blood sugar levels and inflammation.
Thankfully, medical doctors are becoming more and more aware of the dangerous side effects of statin-drugs and prescribing natural alternatives like curcumin and fish oil instead!
A study done by Drugs in R & D found that curcumin was equal or more effective than diabetes medications at reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the treatment of high cholesterol.
Pain Management:-
One of the more widely accepted properties of curcumin in scientific communities is its ability to manage pain. The European Journal of Pharmacology published research that discovered curcumin naturally activates the opioid system in diabetic rats. Typically manipulated by drugs, this natural process serves as the body’s inherent pain-relieving response.
Not being limited to diabetic pain conditions, an interesting study also published gives us a clue as to the wide array of pain conditions that can be treated by curcumin.
Take, for instance, severe burns. Typically, burn victims are treated by dangerous opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. However, because of its anti-inflammatory benefits, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research suggests that Curcumin should be used to treat burns instead of these conventional medications.
The trend should becoming clear at this point. Therapeutic use of Turmeric and other curcumin-rich plants are displacing conventional medical treatments and proving it’s a legitimate natural painkiller.
Turmeric and Anti-aging:-
Studies have also found that curcumin increases the cellular anti-oxidant defense systems in the skin and may play a role in anti-aging.
Turmeric Recipes:-
Add Turmeric to eggs, soups and of course in curries. Make a smoothie with one banana, 1 teaspoon of Turmeric, half a cup of coconut milk, one teaspoon of honey and some ice. Blend together and enjoy.
For best results, take a supplement capsule with Turmeric and Black Pepper available on this link.
Possible Turmeric Side Effects
Some people have reported allergic reactions to Turmeric, especially after skin exposure. Typically this is experienced as a mild, itchy rash. In addition, high doses of turmeric have been observed to cause: Nausea, Diarrhea, increased risk of bleeding, hyperactive gallbladder contractions, Hypotension (lowered blood pressure), Uterine contractions in pregnant women, Increased menstrual flow.
People taking certain medications should also be careful when using turmeric in their food or supplementing with it. Turmeric may interfere with anti-coagulants like aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin. It also can affect medications such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. As with any herb or supplement, use as directed.
If you’re in the position where you must be on prescription medications, don’t discount the need to include ample amounts of fresh, organic turmeric into your diet because it will help reduce the adverse affects of the medicine.
A study that was published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology describes how combining curcumin with prednisolone (a steroid) effectively reduces the side effects of this dangerous medication.