Turmeric, the golden spice, has many healing properties.

Turmeric, the golden spice, has been used for centuries to treat many health problems, primarily pain, and inflammatory disorders.

Health Benefits

https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-turmeric. Ayurvedic and Chinese practices use turmeric for simple health issues, indigestion or headaches, to more severe diseases such as hepatitis, leprosy, and cancer.

Most people recognize turmeric’s ability to fight and control pain. One gram (1000 mg) daily is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation to treat osteoarthritis. It works as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can have serious side effects for a few. https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mmr.2016.5674

Brain Health

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0271531719301009?via%3Dihub. Turmeric increases levels of BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Although insufficient evidence cannot support turmeric’s value in combatting Alzheimer’s disease, many people swear that it helped them. Increased levels of BDNF enhance your ability to think better and with more clarity.

Vascular System

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2017/10/curcumin-targets-cardiovascular-disorders. Turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory benefits in addition to supporting your cardiovascular system. Additionally, blood vessel repair is associated with turmeric.

The January 2017 publication of the journal Aging (https://www.aging-us.com/article/101149) indicated that turmeric improves artery function and reduces stiffness in middle-aged and older adults. Turmeric combats many factors that contribute to heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.

How Turmeric Works

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric. As a natural anti-inflammatory, turmeric reduces inflammation, especially chronic low-level inflammation at the cellular level.

Several years ago, I was active with a company’s product, gamma-mangostin, that reduces chronic low-level inflammation at the cellular level. Two enzymes, COX-1 (cyclo-oxygenase 1) and COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase 2), respond to different activities in the body. COX-1 keeps the stomach and intestines lining healthy and protects them from digestive juices flowing from the stomach.

COX-2 activates when inflammation occurs. Usually, we see COX-2 in action when trauma occurs – sprained ankle, smashed finger, broken bone, etc. COX-2 starts the process of isolating the area with swelling to allow the body to heal itself. However, we also experience pain, redness, soreness, heat, and other healing symptoms.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs shut down the function of COX-2, which is effective, but they also negatively affect the COX-1 enzyme and its protective features. Gamma-mangostin was the only chemical I could find ten years ago that stopped the COX-2 enzyme while not affecting COX-1. Turmeric can do the same function, whether at the cellular level or a larger area, such as an elbow, wrist, back, or foot.

Chronic low-level cellular inflammation is present in the Standard American or Western diet. Heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases arise from consistently eating foods that create inflammation in the body. Another way turmeric fights inflammation is that it blocks NF-kB (nuclear factor-kappa B), responsible for turning on genes associated with inflammation.

Conclusion

I buy and use raw curcumin. Turmeric is the primary curcuminoid derived from curcumin. I liberally sprinkle black pepper as I use curcumin. Turmeric or curcumin supplements are not bioavailable to the body. However, a supplement with piperine (black pepper extract) improves curcumin’s bioavailability by 2000%. (https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/6/10/92).

High levels of turmeric can have side effects of an upset stomach, dizziness, or diarrhea. Turmeric does inhibit iron. If you are low on iron, check with your doctor before including turmeric (or curcumin) as a supplement. Additionally, turmeric acts as a blood thinner and can impair the healing process after surgery.

It is always best to consult with your doctor before taking anything that might interact with any prescription medicines you are currently taking.

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

 

 

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