Turmeric -The Golden Herb
Turmeric - Curcuma longa - is a perennial herb native to India, closely related to the ginger family. The bright yellow/orange color rhizome of the plant is dried and ground into a powder, that smells slightly like pepper to some and mustard to others, with a pungent flavor.
It contains a substance known as lipopolysaccharide, which helps stimulate the body’s immune system.
Curcumin is the most crucial active component, rich in antioxidants.
According to the Journal of the American Chemical Society, turmeric contains a wide range of antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Benefits:
1. Helps accelerate the metabolism rate and lets your body burn a
significant number of calories, leading to weight loss.
2. Useful in reducing fat mass and detoxification of the liver and
is responsible for suppressing inflammatory messages in muscle,
pancreatic, and fat cells.
Curcumin directly balances your cholesterol levels by eliminating
excess LDL (“bad cholesterol”) from the arteries and blood vessels,
thus helping prevent atherosclerosis.
A study done by Drugs in R & D found that curcumin was equal to, or
more effective than, diabetes medications at reducing oxidative stress
and inflammation in the treatment of high cholesterol.
3. Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications
published a study out of Auburn University that discovered that
curcumin can help reverse Type 2 Diabetes.
4. Lowers the chances of developing ulcers, bleeding in the bowels,
and generally eliminates irritation throughout the gut to improve liver
function and reduce the levels of toxicity in the body by stimulating
the lymphatic system and ensuring that toxins are removed efficiently.
5. One of the biggest health benefits of turmeric is in the prevention and
treatment of cancer. In the laboratory, curcumin kills cultures of human
leukemia cells. It has been directly linked to a reduction in colon
cancer cells. Research has found that curcumin induces cell death in
medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain tumor. Other studies have found
that it may induce cell death in glioblastomas, an aggressive type of
brain tumor that is resistant to chemo and radiation.
Multiple studies have found that one of the most exciting health
benefits of turmeric is the prevention of metastasis, the spread of
cancer from the primary site to other areas of the body.
6. Turmeric is considered a brain-boosting herb. Curcumin crosses the
blood-brain barrier and is a known neuro-protective agent. It increases
general cognitive ability, stimulating neural activity, and protecting the
neural pathways from long-term oxidative stress.
A study found that curcumin may prevent or slow the progression of
Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
It has also been shown to correct the protein-folding mutation that
can cause the development Cystic Fibrosis.
According to Michigan State University researchers, curcumin can
prevent clumping of a protein that leads to Parkinson’s.
7. Curcumin's strength is likened to some of the strongest
pharmaceutical options for reducing inflammation works.
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.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, several studies have found
turmeric to be effective at reducing joint inflammation and pain, with
one of the studies even finding curcumin to be better at reducing pain
and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than Diclofenac, an
NSAID (puts people at risk of developing leaky gut and heart disease),
that is commonly prescribed for people with RA.
8. A study at Vanderbilt University found that curcumin prevented the
onset of an autoimmune disease in mice that is similiar to MS in humans.
The study stated that MS is a rare disease in India and China, where
turmeric is consumed on a regular basis.
9. The herb has antiplatelet activity, reducing the ability of the blood
to form clots, improving circulation, as well as, offer some protection
against heart attacks and strokes.
10. Turmeric is an effective disinfectant, speeds up wound healing,
and helps repair damaged skin. Just sprinkle some on the affected
area of cuts and burns.
The U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research suggests that, curcumin
should be used to treat severe burns instead of the usual dangerous
opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
Caution: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Nor those using blood thinning drugs.
Tips: Turmeric benefits are not well absorbed by the body, so combining bioenhancers (activators) will improve the bioavailability - helpful benefits - for the body.
Black pepper (piperine) and ginger (gingerols) help boost the body's ability to absorb nutrients effectively.
Turmeric and black pepper are always paired in recipes - with ginger added to most, as well.
Turmeric is fat-soluble. To insure optimal absorption, it needs to be cooked with a healthy fat, such as coconut oil, so the curcumin is not exposed to harsh stomach acids and can make it's way into the small intestine and into the blood where it can offer the most health benefits.
After learning all the incredible benefits of turmeric, I have tried to incorporate it more into my family's diet. Keep tuning in to see some of those recipes.
I hope this was beneficial to you. My goal is to help provide the information that you need to make wise lifestyle choices.
Ramona