The turmeric benefits on your health Besides being used to lend color and flavor to condiments, turmeric root has long been known to have several useful medicinal properties which is why youve been hearing about turmeric benefits so much lately. In fact, it’s been used in traditional East Asian medicine (especially in India and China) for countless centuries. Among other conditions, turmeric has been used in these regions to treat toothaches, jaundice, bruising and bleeding, bloody urine, menstrual issues, colic, chest pain and flatulence. This useful root is low in calories but contains several nutrients in significant amounts, including vitamin B6, copper, iron, manganese, potassium and fiber. Perhaps more significantly, though, turmeric contains volatile oils that have anti-inflammatory properties. Most important of all, it also contains the natural pigment called curcumin, which is also an anti-inflammatory. The combination of volatile oils and curcumin makes turmeric a safe but potent anti-inflammatory which is effective even in small amounts. Anti-inflammatory properties Multiple research studies have shown that curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties compare favorably to those of ibuprofen, phenylbutazone and hydrocortisone. Each of those commonly used medications has been associated with a host of adverse side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration, but that’s not a concern even after ingestion of large doses of curcumin. Animal studies suggest that turmeric’s curcumin could be used as an effective but safe and cheap treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Antioxidant properties Moreover, because it combines powerful antioxidant properties with its anti-inflammatory activity, the curcumin in turmeric might also provide relief for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Circulating free radicals are responsible for much of the inflammation and joint damage that occur with arthritis, but antioxidants like curcumin help neutralize them. Studies report reduced swelling and improved mobility in rheumatoid arthritis patients who are on a regimen of turmeric. A deterrent to some types of cancer? Preliminary research suggests that curcumin’s antioxidant activity might also help deter certain types of cancer, including the formation, proliferation and metastasis of cancers of the breast, lung, prostate and colon. Besides causing joint issues, the free radicals which antioxidants attack can damage cellular DNA, which sometimes leads to the formation of cancer cells. Curcumin has also been shown to improve the liver’s detoxification function. This, in turn, might help the body destroy cancer cells before they have a chance to spread throughout the body. All of the above suggest that curcumin might have anti-carcinogenic properties. One study from 2006 assessed the likelihood that people with an inherited form of intestinal polyps would eventually develop colorectal cancer. The researchers reported that regular consumption of liberal amounts of curcumin and quercetin (an antioxidant flavonoid present in onions, green tea and red wine) significantly reduced the size and number of precancerous intestinal lesions that the subjects eventually developed. Fewer and smaller precancerous lesions may mean a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. Animal research suggests that turmeric benefits may help deter the development and/or spread of prostate cancer, at least when combined with a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale. More research is needed to establish whether curcumin could help protect us from colorectal and prostate cancer. The risk of developing childhood leukemia might also be reduced by following a diet that’s regularly spiced with turmeric. Although it’s thought that turmeric may help mitigate the adverse effects of exposure to certain environmental conditions which are known to be risk factors for childhood leukemia, more research is needed. Other potential turmeric benefits Turmeric may also provide some protection for the cardiovascular system. The curcumin in turmeric might lower blood cholesterol levels and be able to slow or prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the blood (oxidized cholesterol is the type that leads to plaque buildup on vessel walls, thereby promoting atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack). Moreover, the vitamin B6 in turmeric helps prevent high levels of homocysteine in the blood. Excessive homocysteine can also lead to plaque buildup, atherosclerosis and heart disease. Some animal studies suggest that turmeric’s curcumin might have some benefits for cystic fibrosis patients, although this is speculative and verification would be many years down the road. In theory, curcumin corrects a gene-based protein malformation which leads to the excessively thick mucus which is a hallmark of the disease. Significantly more research is needed to verify this potential benefit and whether adding turmeric to the diet would be safe for cystic fibrosis patients. A growing body of research suggests that turmeric might also help slow the onset and progression of certain neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. I firmly believe that it helps these conditions from what Ive witnessed and seen, however, more research is needed.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 23:10:11 +0000
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