This flavourful herb may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. A lot of high quality research has been done over the years exploring and exposing the healing properties of Turmeric due to its active ingredient Curcumin.
What is Turmeric ?
Turmeric is a flowering plant from the same family as ginger and it is the spice responsible for giving curry its yellow colour.
Over the years, it has been used not only as a culinary herb but also as a medicinal herb and recently there has been a lot of attraction from western medicine due to its healing abilities.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. Here are a few reasons why Turmeric is such a powerful healing herb.
Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound
Inflammation is your body’s response to protecting itself from foreign invaders and repairing damage in the body. However, due to the western diet full of sugar, refined carbs and meat, your body starts implementing inflammation even when it isn’t need. Long term inflammation can lead to chronic diseases as the body starts to attack its own tissue. Chronic low-level inflammation can lead to cancers, heart disease, Alzheimer’s etc. Hence any compound that can fight inflammation is key to protecting us from these diseases. Curcumin and its anti-inflammatory properties can suppress many molecules that are known to play a major role in inflammation.
Why is black pepper needed?
Curcumin is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream. In order to experience the full effects of curcumin, its bioavailability (the rate at which your body absorbs a substance) needs to improve. It helps to consume it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%.
Antioxidants and Oxidative stress
Oxidative damage is another mechanism behind disease and aging. It is a process that involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. These molecules are so unstable that they are ready to offload that electron to any other molecule, usually organic substances, fatty acids, proteins and DNA. Once these substances in the body gain an extra electron, they become damaged immediately. The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect your body from free radicals. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure.
Healing the Brain
Neurons in the brain are capable of forming connections and they can multiply and increase in number. This activity is driven by a gene called BDNF – brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This gene creates the proteins that play a major role in memory and learning and many common brain disorders have been linked to low levels of BDNF. Studies have shows that curcumin increases brain levels of BDNF. This can aid in healing the brain and reversing many brain related diseases. It may also help improve memory and attention, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, more studies are needed to confirm this
Lower risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number cause of death in the world. There a number of factors responsible for heart related issues and Curcumin can address a lot of them.
The main benefit is the ability for curcumin to improve the function of the endothelium, the inner lining of your blood vessel. The endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. This is when your endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors. In addition, curcumin can help reduce inflammation and oxidation (as discussed above), which can play a role in heart disease.
Lymphatic System and Immune Boosting properties.
The lymphatic system is a part of weight control, the immune system, the cleansing of blood, and the detoxification of our bodies. A huge network of lymphatic vessels recycles blood plasma by removing fluid from the tissues, filtering it, and carrying it back into the bloodstream. Along with its powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, Curcumin is directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lymphatic system thereby bypassing the liver. As it travels through the lymphatic system, the powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties can help the rid the lymphatic system of foreign invaders and molecules.
Summary
Due to the powerful healing properties of Turmeric, you can understand why it has been treated as one of the most important natural herbs. It has a wealth of healing properties that has been used to treat the Cancers, Alzheimer’s, Heart disease, Auto-immune diseases and many more.
Tips
Turmeric should be taken with black pepper due to its powerful absorbing agent Piperine which enhances the absorption of turmeric.
Further Reading
G Shoba 1, D. J. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human. Bangalore: Department of Pharmacology, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India.
Gunnars, K. (2021). 10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin. Healthling.
Maryam S Karimian 1, M. P. (2017). Curcumin and Endothelial Function: Evidence and Mechanisms of Protective Effects. NAtional Lbrary of Medicine.
Patricia Marchio, 1. S.-O. (2019). Targeting Early Atherosclerosis: A Focus on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation. Valencia: Oxid Med Cell .
Reema F Tayyem, D. D.-D. (2006). Curcumin content of turmeric and curry powders. National Library of Medicine.
Venugopal P Menon 1, A. R. (2007). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. NAtional Library of Medicine.
Yan He 1, Y. Y. (2015). Curcumin, inflammation, and chronic diseases: how are they linked? National Library of Medicine.