Turmeric is a spice from the turmeric plant found in popular Asian food. The root of the turmeric plant contains an ingredient named curcumin. Different cultures have used Turmeric as a natural remedy for different ailments for many years. But why is this? It has to do with how turmeric and curcumin work together to fight inflammation throughout the body.
Inflammation is a common symptom of many infectious diseases. However, an increasing body of evidence shows that chronic inflammation can cause and advance many common diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders. With this research, looking at ways to limit unnecessary inflammation in the body is creating new ways to find relief.
Turmeric Lowers Inflammation Signals in the Body
Curcumin from a turmeric plant is an antioxidant that fights free radicals that float around causing damage to the body. Scavenging free radicals in the body reduces the levels of stress the body experiences. Another key trait of curcumin is how it helps prevent the inflammation response before it starts. Turmeric inhibits the release of chemicals in the body that triggers the process of inflammation.
Turmeric reduces the causes of inflammation for joints
Tumeric studies often focus on curcumin and how it benefits joint health. Many studies have noticed decreases in chronic inflammation throughout the body. Ingredients in Turmeric, like Curcumin, work to lower the inflammation response in the body. Therefore, controlling inflammation levels to reduce pain in the body and its joints.
Excessive inflammation in the joints is the main cause of arthritis pain. Recent reports show that curcumin can be effective at slowing the amount of joint inflammation.
Turmeric improves skin health
Skin is another part of the body that can experience damage related to inflammation. In fact, many common skin conditions such as rashes or itching are typically a direct result of skin inflammation.
Using curcumin to control skin health has been the focus of many recent studies. For example, one study using curcumin to improve health after UV ray exposure and another concerned with curcumin and healthy bacteria both found positive results.
Turmeric improves heart health
For a healthy heart, cholesterol levels must be kept at safe levels to ensure healthy blood flow. Excessive blood lipids, like cholesterol, lead to fat deposits building on artery walls and increasing blood pressure. As a result, a higher risk of heart disease is directly related to these conditions.
In a recent study, scientists tested the ability of turmeric to control blood lipid levels. Results indicate that curcumin was able to reduce blood lipid levels for patients considered at risk for heart disease. The patients in the study taking turmeric curcumin supplements experienced “a natural cardioprotective effect” in controlling LDL and triglyceride levels.
Tumeric supports digestive health
In addition to the benefits already mentioned, Turmeric can also aid in digestion. Low stomach acid and bile levels can be causes of poor digestion. Bacterial infections can result due to poor digestion and lack of stomach fluid to properly digest food.
Turmeric helps in this area by improving the response of the stomach to create the necessary chemicals. Adequate stomach chemicals allow food to break down better and move more efficiently through the body. In addition, turmeric can help prevent ulcers from forming in the stomach that can result from stress or alcohol.
To aid in the digestion of turmeric, it is best to consume with meals containing fat. These two ingredients help the body fully absorb the curcumin so it can properly work.
Forms of Turmeric and Amounts of Curcumin
Turmeric is a plant the grows in Southeast Asia. It is sold typically as either as a root or as a powder. Specifically, turmeric powder is a product of grinding turmeric root into a powder. Overall, in a normal turmeric root, only two to three percent of turmeric’s total weight contains curcumin.
Instead, larger concentrations of curcumin are gathered from creating a concentrated turmeric extract that can contain up to 95% curcumin in weight.
As a reminder, your physician understands your health profile best, so it’s important to talk to him/her about which supplements are best for you.
