Turmeric is a spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. The herb is used in many cooking and baking recipes and has been traditionally used in India for centuries to treat various health conditions. In recent years, research has shown that turmeric curcumin can have a wide range of benefits for both humans and animals.
Turmeric is a root extract used in various cooking and medicinal preparations. Curcumin, the principal component of turmeric, has been shown to have many health benefits. Here are just a few:
- Turmeric curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce symptoms like arthritis, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- -Curcumin can also help to improve cognitive function and protect the brain from damage caused by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
- -Curcumin has anti-cancer properties. It can help to shrink tumors and stop them from spreading.
- -Turmeric curcumin can also help to improve heart health. It can lower blood pressure and improve blood flow through the arteries.
How does curcumin work?
Curcumin is a yellow pigment found in the root and rhizomes of the turmeric plant. Curcuminoids are a class of compounds containing curcumin and other elements, including sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon. These compounds have been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and preventing cancer.
In vitro studies have shown that curcuminoids can inhibit the growth of various cancer cells, including cancerous prostate, breast, colon, and lung tumors. Curcuminoids can also inhibit the growth of normal cells, such as those found in the immune system.
One study showed that curcuminoids could protect against radiation damage to the brain. Curcuminoids can also help to improve memory function. Curcuminoids have also been shown to reduce inflammation and pain symptoms associated with arthritis.
There are many other potential health benefits of using curcumin supplements, including reducing stress levels, improving moods, reducing inflammation throughout the
Curcumin Research
Thousands of studies demonstrate turmerics benefits, particularly related to its famous medicinal compound called curcumin. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its potent ingredient, curcumin, are associated with various health benefits. In contrast, some of turmerics (Curcuma longa L.) health benefits are better researched than others, positive effects related to the spice range from reducing inflammation to fighting off some tumor cells. Many health seekers are hoping to find general wellness benefits and decreased inflammation with turmeric.
Most studies looking at turmeric in humans show that the herb is beneficial to your health, especially as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. To get to the amounts of turmeric and curcumin shown to provide benefits in research studies, you will need to turn to supplements. Most studies have used turmeric extracts standardized to contain high amounts of curcumin. Most clinical studies used turmeric extracts, which have more significant amounts of curcumin, than turmeric powder, the same quantity of the spice alone.
In contrast, some supplements market turmeric as ground turmeric grass (dry), only about three percent of turmeric powder's weight is made up of curcuminoids and curcuminoids, which are responsible for the majority of turmeric effects. Much of the advertising around turmeric (Curcuma longa) is due to its primary active ingredient, curcumin, which makes up approximately three percent of the weight of the root.
Turmeric and curcumin can even work to combat the effects of certain carcinogens, like some additives used in processed foods. Consuming turmeric and curcumin is thought to help support your liver's ability to effectively detoxify your body and fight some of the effects of dangerous carcinogens.
Curcumin has been shown to help reduce blood sugar, which may help treat or prevent type-2 diabetes.
Turmeric may be able to help lower symptoms of depression because of how the way that curcumin affects neurotransmitter function via the neurotrophic factors produced by the brain.
Another study with 60 patients found that curcumin was just as effective as an antidepressant for treating depression, increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (decreased levels of this chemical are associated with depression). One study found that curcumin effectively reduced symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. One study found that curcumin was just as effective as ibuprofen in relieving symptoms of arthritis. Another study found that Curcumin was capable of improving liver function and decreasing inflammation in individuals with fatty liver disease.
Curcumin may help to lower inflammation in your entire body, which may result in many other health benefits, as you can see by the length of this list. Studies suggest a link to curcumin and fighting growth of tumor cells, as well as reduce angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels in tumors).
Studies show the beneficial effects of its potent ingredients in individuals suffering from conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, among others. Many more studies looked into curcumins' effects on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms.
Many studies suggest that curcumin may help treat symptoms of arthritis and is more effective in some cases than anti-inflammatory medications.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, efficiently killed some tumor cells.
While further studies are needed, these studies indicate that turmeric could be a valuable tool for treating liver issues. Researchers have evidence suggesting turmeric supplements may help alleviate a wide range of musculoskeletal pain, inhibiting inflammatory pathways and decreasing oxidative stress.
There is also promising evidence suggesting turmeric can improve symptoms of hay fever, lower levels of triglycerides and the risk of heart disease, and ease knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Although additional clinical trials are needed to establish the specific effects of turmeric supplements in arthritis, early studies indicate turmeric can produce results similar to those from NSAID treatment of arthritis.
Curcumin has shown substantial neuroprotective benefits, helping reduce neurotoxicity and oxidative stress, which are linked to the progression of diseases. Curcumin has demonstrated the inherent capacity to enhance immune function and protection from infection by directly inhibiting the free-radical damage of cells and decreasing oxidative stress.
There are no health risks associated with using turmeric as a spice added to food, and if approved by your physician, taking a supplement with curcumin could benefit your health.
Sprinkling turmeric over food and supplementing it with quality curcumin could improve chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
When combined with proper dietary and lifestyle strategies, turmeric (its primary nutrient, curcumin) may offer multiple benefits and prove a valuable component in your health-focused plans.
