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Why Your Body Needs Curcumin or Turmeric Extract!

CurcuminMany mails, white papers and journals have been written on the power of turmeric extract, now termed as ‘Yellow Gold’ in the west. The fascinating part is that the consumption of Curcumin has been linked to positive benefits in almost every possible disease or ailment one can think of. From cancer to arthritis, to the possible prevention of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

How Curcumin Eases Disease

Cardiovascular Disease
Numerous studies show that it may have a protective role in cardiovascular diseases. Since cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death, one can argue that everyone should include turmeric in their diet, or perhaps take a turmeric supplement. One study discusses how the antioxidant effects of Curcumin may prevent diabetic cardiovascular complications.

The same study shows that the anti-thrombotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects of Curcumin and the effect of it decreasing the serum cholesterol level may protect against the pathological changes occurring with atherosclerosis.

Another study demonstrates how dietary Curcumin is effective at inhibiting maladaptive cardiac repair and preserving cardiac function after ischemia and reperfusion. It also goes on to say that it has potential as a treatment for patients who have had a heart attack.

Diabetes
This, of course, also ties into cardiovascular health but there have been separate studies which show how Curcumin can help with diabetes.  One study involved people in a pre-diabetic population who were taking Curcumin (or a placebo) for 9 months. The study concluded by showing that it significantly lowered the number of pre-diabetic individuals who eventually developed type 2 diabetes. The same study also showed that it appeared to improve overall function of beta cells.  Another study concluded that Curcumin supplementation could improve diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction significantly. Yet, another study demonstrated how it attenuates diabetic neuropathic pain.

Asthma and Allergies
A few studies have shown that it might be beneficial for people with asthma and allergies. One study showed that Curcumin treatments markedly attenuated the inflammation in asthma by regulating T regulatory/Th17 balance. The findings supported the possible use of Curcumin as a therapeutic drug for patients with allergic asthma.  Another study showed that it alleviates the pathological changes of chronic asthma, and might be a promising therapy for asthma in the future

Skin Diseases
It can even help with certain skin conditions! One study discusses how it protects the skin by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation. The same study also mentioned how it reduces wound-healing time, improved collagen deposition and increased fibroblast and vascular density in wounds, thereby enhancing both normal and impaired wound-healing.  The study concluded by suggesting that Curcumin might be a potent nontoxic agent for treating skin diseases. Another study suggests that Oral Curcumin might be beneficial in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, although it concluded by stating that large placebo-controlled studies are necessary before recommending Oral Curcumin as a psoriasis treatment.

Autoimmunity
To no surprise, because it can help greatly with inflammation, this herb can be extremely valuable in the treatment of certain autoimmune conditions, including Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Thyroid cancer is the most common type of cancer when it comes to the endocrine system. A recent study reported that Curcumin inhibits multiple metastasis steps of K1 papillary thyroid cancer cells.  These findings showed that it might be effective for the treatment of aggressive papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Other Benefits
There are even more potential benefits of taking Curcumin.  One study discussed how dietary Curcumin is a strong candidate for use in the prevention or treatment of major disabling age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke. Another study suggested that it has enormous potential in the prevention and therapy of cancer. It might also be useful as a treatment for ulcerative colitis as well as benefit people with osteoarthritis.

Want to know more about Curcumin or Turmeric Extract? Tune in to expert nutritionists on GOQii Play now!

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Turmeric- ‘Haldi’- for Health

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Bablu disliked ‘Haldi Dhoodh’ (Turmeric Milk) to no extent. He could endure anything but turmeric powder in his milk. But alas, his mother insisted and as a child he could not do much about it. Bablu’s mother believed that turmeric is a wonder ‘drug’ for numerous ailments. As he got a bit older he also got aware and realised during winters he never succumbed to common ailments like cough and cold. His immune system was stronger than many of his friends. He enjoyed his health! But, always   wondered how!

Turmeric is derived from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa, which is a member of the ginger family. It has the compounds with medicinal properties which is Curcumin. Even though Curcumin is 3% of turmeric, the use of turmeric is not lessened in anyway. Curcumin is the most active component of turmeric and has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is precisely the reason that ‘Haldi’(turmeric) finds a special place in India (Ayurveda) for many ailments.

Turmeric is Anti- inflammatory

  • Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds including six different COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation).
  • External application of turmeric is beneficial for sprains and swellings because of the Curcumin compound.
  • Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and pain relieving properties, Curcumin and turmeric is used for arthritic pain.
  • Because inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, Curcumin with its potent anti-inflammatory property is anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis. Hence, the past few decades have witnessed intense research devoted to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Curcumin.

Turmeric Prevents

The antibacterial and anti-viral action of curcumin makes it the best remedy to treat cough and cold naturally. The anti-inflammatory action of curcumin aids in relieving the chest congestion that develops in people suffering with chronic cough. It is advised to include turmeric in a daily diet during winters to prevent viral and bacterial infection. The dosage could be –one tsp turmeric with a glass of warm milk.One can also have a 1-2 tsps of turmeric powder without mixing it for the same effect.

Turmeric Prevents

Turmeric Heals

  • Curcuma has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties and can be used as effective disinfectant in case of cuts and minor burns. Turmeric also helps repair damaged skin and may be used to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
  • Turmeric with other constituents has a great effect- Having haldi (Turmeric) mixed with mustard oil and onion juice every hour stops rectal bleeding in piles in most of the cases.
  • As a rich source of iron, turmeric is valuable for anemia.
  • Curcuma has protective action on intestinal flora. Curcuma is beneficial in Crohn’s disease (an ailment that affects the digestive tract) and ulcerative colitis.

Turmeric Boosts General Health

  • Curcumin Detoxifies the liver- It helps in stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder, which improves the body’s ability to digest fats.
  • It balances cholesterol levels, fights allergies, stimulates digestion, boosts immunity and enhances the complexion.
  • Studies suggest that curcumin has several properties that could make it effective at preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric is Anti- cancer

  • Curcumin powder mixed with pure cow’s ghee(Clarified Butter) might wade away cancer cells in most cases and also regenerates new cells in the body.
  • Curcuma has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth and stimulate apoptosis, an intracellular mechanism for cells of all types to “kill” themselves. It neutralizes those substances and conditions which can cause cancer.
  • It directly helps a cell retain its integrity if threatened by carcinogens.

Turmeric is an Effective Cosmetic

  • Turmeric paste mixed with aloe vera, water and milk will clear your skin as well. Turmeric mixed with gram flour (besan) is an effective & cheap scrub, and is known to clear tan. 

So if you say yes to your health, haldi  (Turmeric) has to find some space in your scheme of affairs! 

 

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