Don't Just Sit There! Start CURCUMIN!

What if I told you there is a common spice that can possibly change your life for good. How about an extract of that familiar spice that can prevent and even cure depression, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, joint pain, heart disease and many more. You may think it's a lot of nonsense, but I can assure you that there is ample scientific research that warrants placing curcumin at the ‘mountain top’ of all healing herbs.

If you cook with curry, you are probably familiar with Turmeric, a popular vividly-colored spice. Inside turmeric is a compound called Curcumin, which is found in its rhizome (the stem of the plant found underground). Curcumin is responsible for the golden orange color of turmeric, and one of the most powerful medicines in the world today.

With studies showing that most diseases are linked with some kind of inflammation, there is no doubt in my mind that curcumin can have some physical and mental benefits for those who use it. These can include: slow or prevent blood clots, reduce depression symptoms, fight inflammation, boost skin health, outperform common arthritis drugs, treat or prevent certain cancers, etc.

Curcumin is what makes turmeric a “Functional Food,” which is defined by the Mayo Clinic as “foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition.”

Here are some benefits of curcumin:

1. Fights Inflammation

Conceivably, the most powerful aspect of Curcumin is its ability to control inflammation. According to Jan McBarron, M.D., N.D., author of “Curcumin, The 21st Century Cure’, Curcumin has been compared to pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, and it has come out on top in every case. About 80%-90% of diseases stem from inflammation

“Curcumin demonstrates superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and provides liver and heart protective benefits as well. It is a potent antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-allergenic, and has anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties.” says Dr. Goel.

By eliminating viruses, bacteria and fungi, curcumin offers the powerful possibility that we can use it to treat everything from colds to flu to pneumonia. The journal Oncogene published the results of a study that assessed several anti-inflammatory compounds and found that curcumin is among the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds in the world.

2. Chronic Pain and Arthritis

Due to the fact that curcumin is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing characteristics, a study was conducted on 45 rheumatoid arthritis patients to compare the health benefits of curcumin in turmeric to the arthritis drug diclofenac sodium (an NSAID), which put people at risk of developing leaky gut and heart disease. The study split these volunteers into three groups: curcumin treatment alone, diclofenac sodium alone and a combination of the two. The results of the trial were eye-opening: The curcumin group showed the highest percentage of improvement in overall [Disease Activity Score] scores and these scores were significantly better than the patients in the diclofenac sodium group. More importantly, curcumin treatment was found to be safe and did not relate with any adverse events. This study provides the first evidence for the safety and superiority of curcumin treatment in patients with active RA, and highlights the need for future large-scale trials to validate these findings in patients with RA and other arthritic conditions. According to Dr.Axe.com.

A review of available randomized, controlled trials confirmed that, of the eight studies available fitting the criteria, “these [randomized clinical trials] provide scientific evidence that supports the efficacy of turmeric extract (about 1000 mg/day of Curcumin) in the treatment of arthritis.” According to Dr. Axe.com.

3. May Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

According to ‘Everyday Health’, turmeric may even protect your brain against common degenerative diseases by increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein found in the brain and spinal cord that plays a key role in keeping nerve cells (neurons) healthy, as well as regulating communication between nerve cells, which is critical for learning and memory. As common brain disorders like Alzheimer’s are associated with lower levels of BDNF, Curcumin may help delay or reverse brain degeneration.

How To Take Curcumin

According to Healthline.com, the curcumin content in turmeric is not that high. It’s around 3%, by weight. It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods. Therefore, if you want to experience the full effects, you need to take a supplement that contains significant amounts of curcumin. Unfortunately, Curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%. The best curcumin supplements contain piperine, substantially increasing their effectiveness. Curcumin is also fat soluble, so it may be a good idea to take it with a fatty meal.

Wrap Up

• The herb turmeric is one of the top nutrients in the world, whether we’re talking about the powder, essential oil or pills. It has a long history of use, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine and other traditional forms of medicine.
• What Curcumin does for the body is amazing. The benefits range in everything from helping with blood clots, depression to combating inflammation, boosting skin health, regulating cholesterol and more.
• Turmeric can be used in recipes and perhaps even purchasing it in supplement form to take advantage of the benefits. Make sure to add only organic turmeric to your food and find a high-quality curcumin supplement made from organic turmeric, coupled with black pepper.
• According to Examine.com, limited in vitro evidence suggests that curcumin may cause DNA damage and suppress the immune system at high concentrations. Please consult your health practitioner before taking it to ensure that you are safe to ingest it, and also that you are given the correct dosage.

May this information embolden us all to research more on Curcumin and embrace the use of it for a healthier living. Start Curcumin! :)

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