Turmeric: A Powerful Healing Herb

When thinking of herbs with a wealth of medical applications, one of the most commonly mentioned is turmeric. Its scientific name is Curcuma Longa and it is known as Kunyit by the Malay, Haridra in Sanskrit, and Jiang Huang in Chinese. It is abundant with natural polyphenol known as curcumin, which is also the one responsible for its wide array of health benefits. Some of the most abundant nutrients in this plant include dietary fibers, potassium, manganese, and iron. Given the medicinal properties of the herb, there is no wonder why there is an influx in the number of people who are turning into the use of turmeric supplements. This makes it easy for the body to take advantage of its many benefits in manner that is not only effective, but also safe.

Protection for the Liver

Several studies in the past have supported the assertion of how turmeric can have a favorable effect on the health of the liver. Toxins, alcohol, and even medications can all have negative impacts on your liver and can be a reason for its deterioration and malfunctioning. In this case, turmeric can prove to be promising as it helps in the creation of a digestive juice, which is responsible for the promotion of the proper digestion of fats.

Treatment of Skin Problems

Back in the ancient times, there are no topical creams and medications that can help in promoting better skin health. This is the reason why many people often resort into the use of turmeric, especially in the cases of eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It is also known to be an excellent exfoliating agent, which can be considered as a viable natural alternative to the products using toxic chemicals, which may be harsh on the skin.

Prevention of Inflammation

Another reason for the popularity of turmeric as a wonder herb is its anti-inflammation properties. This is why it is taken by people who are experiencing muscle sprains, arthritis, and other problems related to inflammation. To be able to use it for the treatment of inflammation, one teaspoon can just be simply mixed with tea or with hot water and should be consumed as a drink. To maximize its effectiveness, adding ginger will also prove to be helpful.

Boost for the Immune System

It is important to give the immune system a boost to be able to increase the defense of the body against different health problems. It should be noted that the immune system is the cornerstone of both your health and longevity, which makes it important to invest in it. With turmeric, your immunity will be stronger and you will be less likely a candidate for different health problems.

Prevents Free Radical Damage

Turmeric is also reputed as a potent antioxidant, which allows the prevention of free radical damage. This is responsible for promoting better health of the cells. As an antioxidant, like berries and green tea, this herb is excellent in terms of providing better cardiovascular health and prevention of different types of cancer.

As an antioxidant, this also makes it excellent for the maintenance of young-looking skin through the years.

Curcumin – The Facts

Curcumin- What you didn’t know about it

There is an African saying that goes, “Don’t go to Sokoto to look for what is already in your shokoto”. Sokoto is a business center in Nigeria and shokoto are trousers. This adage is used to show people that many times the solutions they are seeking “out there” are right “in here”, in their shokotos.

Likewise there are many medicinal benefits that we forfeit in our bodies by looking them “out there” in the “Sokotos” of complex medical science b and yet they are readily available in the plants that we interact with daily. One such plant or spice is the turmeric, from which we get the miracle substance called curcumin.

What is Curcumin?

c its color, culinary and medicinal value and strength. It is extracted from the root of the turmeric plant. Though it makes up for only 3% of the total mass of turmeric,yet without it turmeric will not “remain turmeric”.

Health benefits of Curcumin

Detoxification-this substance contains molecular properties that have detoxifying capabilities. This means it removes toxic elements from your body that are can cause body fatal dysfunctions including the growth of cancer cells. This capability cuts across all forms of cancer.

Curbing inflammation in the body-curcumin has the capacity to aid in the decrease of inflammation in the body. Inflammation in itself can create a conducive environment for the other disease processes to take place e.g. the growth of cancer cells.
Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease-this is a disease for which even our modern medical science has not been able to find a cure.Research has shown that in those countries where people consume curcumin in heir diets(through turmeric spice),there are lower cases of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those where it is not.
Blood sugar stability– curcumin is also known to have the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. It contains Curcuminoid polyphenols, which are its primary antioxidant in the turmeric root. When blood sugar is not balanced, the body is stands vulnerable to all forms of inflammatory conditions.
Combating obesity-this benefit is due to its ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Many cases of obesity are directly associated with diabetes while diabetes as a disease is directly associated with blood sugar levels that are left uncontrolled and unregulated and , which curcumin lends a helping hand in regulating and stabilizing these sugar levels in the blood.
Joint pain relief-this natural spice is also known to help in relieving joint pains associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Heart health and protection-since curcumin fights inflammation, which is a key culprit in many heart diseases, its intake has a big share in maintaining a healthy heart.

Recent studies have indicated that curcumin protects heart functions and strengthens the body’s own internal repair systems after suffering a heart attack. It also reduces triglycerides and cholesterol level and for that reason it imparts immense benefits to your circulatory system.

Conclusion

Curcumin may not be panacea to all medical conditions, but it goes a long way in helping to secure your health, especially at the preventive level. This is because the health benefits associated with it protect and benefit the vital organs such as the heart and vital metabolic processes the likes of sugar regulation and deoxidization.

Trunature Turmeric Extract Review

Turmeric is safe to take and has been proven to work in clinical studies. A six week study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, conducted by 60 patients diagnosed with depression, was conducted to compare Turmeric to Prozac. This study provided the first clinical evidence that Turmeric may be used as an effective and safe treatment for patients with depression. This is groundbreaking news for people looking for a safe alternative depression treatment.

Turmeric, or curcumin, as it’s sometimes know, is a great option for people dealing with depression. While depression isn’t completely preventable, there are many lifestyle changes and treatments available to relieve the symptoms. Changes in lifestyle like eliminating caffeine, exercising, eating healthy food, attending therapy and p articipating in stress relieving activities like meditation and yoga can help in reducing symptoms.

Fortunately, there are a lot of treatments like Trunature Turmeric Extract available to depression suffers, some of which can be found in supplements and other over-the-counter medications. Because of the large number of treatments, make sure you do your research and choose the one that’s right for you.

Ingredients

Treatments for depression vary from product to product. Some products use herbal remedies, homeopathic ingredients, natural ingredients or synthetic ingredients. There are a number of available options on the marketplace for treating these conditions. This product contains the following ingredients:

• Curcumin

• Demethoxycurcumin

• Bisdemethoxycurcumin

• Cellulose

• Rice Flour

• Magnesium Stearate

• Stearic Acid

• Silica

Suggested Use

The manufacturer recommends taking one capsule 2-3 times daily preferably with meals.

Side Effects

The side effects for this product were not listed by the manufacturer on the internet. Even so, Turmeric is known to cause some side effects if taken in high doses. Some of these include indigestion, nausea, vomiting, reflux, diarrhea, liver problems and worsening of gallbladder disease. It may also interact with anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs to increase the risk of bleeding.

The manufacturer does warn that if you are pregnant/lactating or have any history of liver, gall bladder or gastrointestinal problems to consult a health practitioner prior to use.

Price

Internet pricing for these product will vary across the internet. Additionally, you will see some products priced extremely low and some priced extremely high. It’s important to be wary of both. Products priced too low may be looking to maximize profits for lower quality product with reduced effectiveness, while high priced products may be looking to capitalize on name brand and designer labeling.

At the time of writing this review this product was found at a price of $14.99 for a bottle of 30 capsules, which under the suggested use should last about 10 days.

Guarantee

A guarantee as an assurance that if you don’t get your anticipated results, the manufacturer will stand behind their product. A lot of times even if a manufacturer does not provide a guarantee, the website that you purchased the product will provide its own warranty.

When researching this product, the manufacturer of this product did not provide a money-back guarantee for the product.

Conclusion

There are a lot of great depression treatment products on the market, including Trunature Turmeric Extract. With that being said, when looking at the price of this product, its ingredients and the fact that they do not offer a guarantee.

Click here to learn about our Top Turmeric Curcumin Supplement Products.

Turmeric as a Health Supplement

Scientific research has discovered well over 300 active ingredients in Turmeric that have powerful effects in the body. In fact, Turmeric is considered to be the greatest of all herbs by some practitioners. In Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine, turmeric is prescribed for just about everything — from cuts and grazes, to respiratory ailments, liver disease, gas, bloating, digestive illness, the heart, as an anti-septic and more. The active ingredients in Turmeric — Curcuma longa — are a group of plant substances called curcuminoids. Through its antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin supports colon health, exerts neuroprotective activity and helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Curcumin:

is very useful in joint related concerns
helps maintain a normal cholesterol and a healthy heart.
is very helpful as a digestive support.
is extremely helpful in liver protection.
is also used in controlling obesity.
induces the flow of bile, which breaks down fats.
acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that relieves the aches and pains associated with arthritis.

Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is generally considered safe as it has been used by generations of people as both a dye and healing compound, as it is believed to be a strong anti-inflammatory agent. As a natural antibacterial and antiseptic, it can be used as a disinfectant.

It has been shown that you can speed up the body’s healing process simply by sprinkling some turmeric powder on a burn or cut. Several skin conditions, such as psoriasis, have been successfully treated with turmeric.

Many other conditions such as colic, jaundice, bruises, chest pain and menstrual pain have responded well to treatments with curcumin, an active agent that can be extracted from turmeric. Curcumin gives turmeric a number of its beneficial features. Turmeric also provides many daily-recommended nutrients, including manganese, iron, B6, fiber, copper and potassium.

Additionally, turmeric contains agents that help strengthen the immune system, lessening the chances of coughs, flus and colds. The anti-inflammatory results derived from turmeric have been compared to some prescription drugs, such as hydrocortisone and over-the-counter agents such as ibuprofen. Unlike those chemical compounds, turmeric has demonstrated no measurable toxic side effects, while side effects such as ulcers, bleeding or a decrease in white blood cell count have all been effects attributed to the prescription drugs that are comparable to turmeric.

Free radicals are chemicals that course through the body causing damage to healthy cells. They are reportedly responsible for arthritis, causing damage to joints and joint inflammation, as well as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that curcumin, with its status as a powerful anti-oxidant, can assist in neutralizing them. Other animal studies suggest that curcumin may prevent other cancers, including prostate, colon and breast cancer, as well as T-cell leukemia.

Remember, There are a variety of products on the market and sorting through them and selecting the best one for your needs can be confusing. Many companies trying to cash in on trends do not really care about the quality of their product, therefore their products may be ineffective.

Turmeric and Acne

Turmeric is a root that looks much like ginger root. The actual root is sold at health-minded grocery stores such as Whole Foods and it is very expensive! However, it may be worth the price as it has lots of health benefits. It’s much more commonly found in a powdered spice form and you can get it in the spice aisle of just about any grocery store. It is also available as a health supplement in capsule, powder or tea form. Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and wide ranging benefits. It is also a tasty herb. Turmeric is valued for more than just its cooking uses. The herb has been used in the Ayurvedic healing tradition for centuries. Curcuminoids found in turmeric benefit joints and other tissues by helping to neutralize free-radicals. Through its antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin supports colon health, exerts neuroprotective activity and helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

Turmeric is known to:

Reduce inflammation. This is turmeric’s shining quality – it’s incredibly anti inflammatory. Acne is inflammation, so you definitely want this for your skin!
Detoxify your liver. People with severe liver problems should consult a doctor before trying to take turmeric supplements.
Fight free radicals. Free radicals disrupt and damage the sebum and cells in your skin.
Sooth the digestive tract. Believe it or not many acne problems start with poor digestion.

As with any health supplement, if you truly want to get the medicinal properties out of turmeric, it’s best to use it consistently — at least a spoonful or two per day. It has a vaguely pungent bitter flavour, but the flavor is not overly strong. You can add it to your food whenever it makes sense. Since it has such a bright yellow color, it can make your food look much more fun and exotic! This is especially true of rice dishes. Vegetarians like to mix turmeric with tofu to make fake scrambled eggs as the bright yellow color of turmeric lends itself perfectly to this.

Turmeric for Your Skin

If you want to, you can apply turmeric directly to your skin as a mask, and it can help with inflammation and acne scars on the face. You can mix it with a bit of honey and lemon juice, or perhaps aloe vera gel, and apply it to the skin — let it sit for a while, and gently wash it off. However one user reported:

I have to warn you though, this can turn your skin a bit yellow! I tried it once, and when I washed it off I thought I thought that I was in the clear on the yellow front… but the next day, in brighter sunlight, my mom asked me what was on my face. Knowing that she had more tact than to point out an acne blemish, I inquired further as to what she was talking about, and it turned out that ‘it look like I had jaundice’. Soo…. be careful! hahah … if you dare to venture into the world of turmeric masks, I would suggest maybe leaving it on for only ten to fifteen minutes as opposed to the half hour or so I had let mine sit.

Turmeric Diet Benefits

Many people believe in the power of Turmeric as a weight loss supplement and diet aid. Turmeric is commonly thought of as a yellow spice that gives flavor to curry but, it is much more than that. Turmeric is valued for more than just its cooking uses. The herb has been used in the Ayurvedic healing tradition for centuries. The active ingredients in Turmeric are a group of plant substances called curcuminoids. Known collectively as “curcumin”, curcuminoids have demonstrated potent antioxidant properties in scientific studies. Curcuminoids benefit joints and other tissues by helping to neutralize free-radicals. Through its antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin supports colon health, exerts neuroprotective activity and helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Among all its benefits Turmeric is also believed to help block the absorption of fat and aid in weight loss.

What is the Turmeric Diet?

The Turmeric diet is where you take Turmeric directly as a supplement, not just via food as a seasoning. Although using turmeric in your daily cooking is one way to spice up your meal you likely need to take supplements to start getting the turmeric curcumin you need to start seeing results right away. This is especially true as some people have difficulty taking turmeric directly.

Please note — there are a variety of products on the market and sorting through them and selecting the best one for your needs can be confusing. Many companies trying to cash in on trends do not really care about the quality of their product, therefore their products may be ineffective.

As a safe rule of thumb the daily dosage of turmeric you should be getting is between 2 and 3 grams per day. Do not oversdose on turmeric — when consuming turmeric supplements try to remain within the daily limits by taking into consideration the turmeric you are getting from other sources such as your food.

Turmeric curcumin has an effect on your body inhibiting the cell division of fat cells. The mechanism by which turmeric helps you block fat is straightforward. Curcumin inhibits the formation of fatty tissue by blocking the method used to form it. It does this by supressing your blood vessels used to form fat tissue.

The general train of thought regarding fat is that the amount you have is determined by genetics — family history. The rate and combination of fat cells growing and increasing makes you fat, not consumption of fatty foods alone. (Although diet and exercise in are also an important component.) Curcumin helps slow down the division of fat cells in your body making it harder to gain weight, putting on unwanted pounds of fat.

Remember that no diet is perfect and neither is the turmeric diet. We recommend talking to your doctor before undergoing any health program or plan. Staying within the recommended dosage guidelines.

People with liver problems, and pregnant women should proceed with caution as their risks for side effects are higher. Potential side effects of turmeric include allergic reactions, bile duct damage, and liver damage.

Why You Should Eat Turmeric

Turmeric is loaded with antioxidant compounds, including its primary active constituent curcumin which is believed to neutralize age-accelerating free radicals. Used for thousands of years in Asian culinary and wellness traditions, turmeric has many benefits including aiding in joint comfort, promoting razor-sharp brain health, boosting immune performance and more. Research is now showing what countries such as India and Sri Lanka have long known — that this yellow spice has more benefits than boosting food flavor. Used for more than 4000 years to treat a variety of ailments, curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — could possibly fight off dementia and prevent cancer.

Cancer researchers believe that turmeric and its consumption has a great positive effect on cancer and dementia diseases. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, it inhibits the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and it’s a powerful antioxidant. Unfortunately, a lot of the studies have not been conducts on humans. They have been done on animals and test tubes. However, because it’s been used in Chinese and Indian medicine for a long time it is generally accepted as having the health benefits below.

1. Fights off Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers believe that curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may be strong enough to break down the plaques in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Helps to prevent cancer

There are at least 30 studies showing that curcumin may have an anti-tumour effect either reducing the number or size of tumours or the percentage of animals who developed them. Note — these are not human studies and more human research is definitely needed.

3. Reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Curcumin also has a positive effect on cholesterol. Animal studies have shown that it may help lower cholesterol and prevent the build-up of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) in the blood vessels.

4. Combats inflammatory diseases

Turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory qualities mean it may work as well as some anti-inflammatory medications, without the side effects. Early research shows it may help with inflammation of the eye (uveitis), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis) and multiple sclerosis.

5.Fights colds and flu

Preliminary studies show that turmeric may help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral infections.

6. Helps with digestion and weight loss

Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder and produces bile. Because bile helps digest fat, experts believe this improves digestion and may help control weight. At least one study found it treats indigestion, reducing symptoms of bloating and gas.

7. Assists diabetes sufferers

Turmeric may improve glucose control or insulin activity; in animal research it was shown to cause blood sugar levels to drop. If you add turmeric to your diet make sure to keep monitoring your blood sugar levels with your doctor.

How do I take it?

Turmeric can easily be added to your diet. There are also many health supplements available. A word of caution — There are a variety of products on the market and sorting through them and selecting the best one for your needs can be confusing. Many companies trying to cash in on trends do not really care about the quality of their product, therefore their products may be ineffective.

Turmeric Nutritional Benefits

Turmeric Nutrition Facts

Turmeric is an underground rhizome (root), which is made of unique pigment compounds that impart an intense flavor, color, and distinctive fragrance to the recipes it is added to. Turmeric has its roots in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Considered to be a cleansing herb, turmeric is used in herbal medicine practices to aid liver and digestive problems, including upset stomach, flatulence, and abdominal cramping. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are considered to have beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, has antioxidant properties. As a topical skin remedy, turmeric’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties aid insect bites, fungal infections of the skin, minor wounds, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Curcumin is also believed to increase bile production and flow from the liver, enhancing the breakdown of fats during digestion. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medical system, turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation.

The Turmeric root has a dark brown skin on the exterior and deep orange-yellow flesh internally. Its leaves as well as rhizome features unique flavor and fragrance. Its taste is described as mild peppery to warm and bitter. Its fragrance is sweet and pleasant, slightly reminiscent of a mix of orange-zest, and ginger to which it is related. Once harvested, the root is boiled, dried, and ground to prepare distinctive bright yellow spice powder.

Health benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has many wide ranging health benefits. Some of these benefits include:

Turmeric has been in use for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory (painkiller), anti-gas and anti-bacterial properties.
The herb contains health benefiting essential oils such as termerone, curlone, curumene, cineole, and p-cymene.
Curcumin, a poly-phenolic compound, is the principal pigment that imparts deep orange color to the turmeric. Laboratory animal studies have found that the curcumin may have anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, anti-amyloid, anti-ischemic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
This popular herb contains no cholesterol — conversely, it is rich in anti-oxidants and dietary fiber, which helps to control blood LDL or “bad cholesterol” levels.
It is very rich source of many essential vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B6), choline, niacin, and riboflavin, etc.
Fresh root contains impressive levels of vitamin-C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful natural anti-oxidant, which helps the body develop immunity against infectious particles and removes harmful free oxygen radicals.
Turmeric contains high amounts of minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

Nutritional Information

100 g of turmeric provides : 53% of dietary fiber, (% of Recommended Daily Allowance, RDA per 100 g)
138 % of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),
32% of niacin,
43 % of vitamin C,
21 % of vitamin E,
54 % of potassium,
517 % of iron,
340 %of manganese and
40 % of zinc.
0% cholesterol.

Only a few grams of turmeric per day either in the form of powder, crushed root or fresh root will provide enough nutrients to help you keep healthy and strong,

Why Turmeric is Superior to Medications

Scientific research has discovered well over 300 active ingredients in Turmeric that have powerful effects on the body. In fact, organic Turmeric is a very potent herb with a vast number of health benefits. Turmeric is considered to be the greatest of all herbs by some practitioners. In Ayurveda, the practice of traditional Indian medicine, turmeric is prescribed for just about everything — from cuts and grazes, to respiratory ailments, liver disease, gas, bloating, digestive illness, the heart, as an anti-septic and more. The active ingredients in Turmeric — Curcuma longa — are a group of plant substances called curcuminoids. Through its antioxidant mechanisms, curcumin supports colon health, exerts neuroprotective activity and helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

A great deal of research has even reported that using curcumin is more advantageous than prescription drugs. When examining the research, turmeric benefits extend beyond that of these 10 drug/types of drugs:

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-depressants (Prozac)
Chemotherapy
Anti-coagulants (Aspirin)
Pain killers
Diabetes drugs (Metformin)
Arthritis medications
Inflammatory bowel disease drugs
Cholesterol drugs (Lipitor)
Steroids

Now let’s look closer at Turmeric benefits and why medications often pale in comparison to Turmeric when it comes to reversing disease. Remember that one of the most powerful advantages curcumin has over traditional medical approaches is the lack of side effects.

1. Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets

In addition to common side effects like bleeding, the risks associated with anticoagulants include everything from back pain to headaches to difficulty breathing. Turmeric, has no known side effects.

2. Anti-depressants

Turmeric is especially effective in easing depression in laboratory animals. At this time it is only recommended to treat mild depression.

3. Anti-inflammatories

Turmeric is an excellent anti-inflammatory. In fact, curcumin, is among the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds in the world. .

4. Arthritis management

A study was conducted on 45 rheumatoid arthritis patients to compare the benefits of curcumin in turmeric to arthritis drugs (diclofenac sodium). The curcumin group showed the highest percentage of improvement in overall scores.

5. Cancer treatment

In the words of global authorities like Cancer Research UK,

A number of laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells. A 2007 American study that combined curcumin with chemotherapy to treat bowel cancer cells in a laboratory showed that the combined treatment killed more cancer cells than the chemotherapy alone.

6. Diabetes management

Turmeric is excellent for lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin resistance.

In 2009, Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications published a study out of Auburn University that explored how supplementing with turmeric can help reverse diabetes.

7. Gastrointestinal treatments

Many IBS, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis patients were able to stop taking their prescribed corticosteroids because their condition improved so dramatically by taking curcumin.

8. Cholesterol regulators

A study done by Drugs in R & D found that curcumin was equal or more effective than diabetes medications at reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the treatment of high cholesterol.

9. Painkillers

One of the more widely accepted properties of curcumin in scientific communities is its ability to manage pain. The trend is quite clear at this point. Therapeutic use of turmeric and other curcumin-rich plants are displacing conventional medical treatments.

10. Steroids

Turmeric benefits the many conditions normally treated by corticosteroids such as:

Psoriasis
Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
Chronic pain

Turmeric Side Effects

A slim number of people have reported allergic reactions to turmeric, especially after skin exposure. High doses of turmeric may cause:

Diarrhea
Increased risk of bleeding
Increased liver function tests
Hyperactive gallbladder contractions
Hypotension (lowered blood pressure)
Uterine contractions in pregnant women
Increased menstrual flow

Turmeric May Prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

There are spices in many parts of the world, especially Southeast Asia, that are rich in botanical treasures, especially turmeric. Turmeric is referred to as “the spice of life” and has many health benefits including possible preventing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

As Western society evolves to become more open-minded, scientists continue to learn more and more about the health benefits of various spices and herbs as alternates to medicine.

Turmeric has the following effects and health and general benefits:

Antihepatotoxic — it has a beneficial effect on the liver
Antihyperlipidemic — it prevents the buildup of lipids in the blood
Anti-inflammatory — turmeric reduces inflammation
Antioxidant — it hunts free radicals and prevents lipid formation in the liver
It inhibits the growth of tumors, both benign and cancerous
Antimicrobial — it inhibits the action of bacteria
It has a contraceptive effect
It acts as an insect repellent

Among the various conditions for which turmeric is sometimes used are gastrointestinal problems, intermittent fever, swelling, bronchitis, colds, worms, leprosy, kidney inflammation, cystitis, headaches, chest infections, and amenorrhea (the abnormal suppression or absence of menstruation). It is often also used externally for bruising, leech bites, festering eye infections, inflammation of the oral mucosa, inflammatory skin conditions, and infected wounds.

As a known anti-inflammatory, Turmeric is widely used to ease inflammation. Inflammation takes many forms, and it can occur in many places throughout the body. One such is the brain, where Alzheimer’s disease forms. Researchers performed a study the effect of curcumin on the combined damage that occurs as a response to amyloid formation in Alzheimer’s-predisposed mice. In the study, the mice were tested with both low and high doses of dietary curcumin to determine its effect on inflammation, oxidative damage, and plaque pathology. Both the low and high doses of curcumin were found to succeed in reducing inflammation and oxidative damage.

Curcumin may also prevent Parkinson’s Diseases. The researchers noted that both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are linked to increased oxidative damage to the brain.

They hypothesized that curcumin may effectively inhibit this type of damage and that its seeming ability to target several different mechanisms which are implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease may make it a more effective agent than more potent but more specific inhibitors of any of the individual mechanisms.

To obtain turmeric and the beneficial natural curcuminoids it contains, you could eat curry every day, or you could take generous, scientifically validated amounts of the ancient Ayurvedic agent turmeric. There are many health supplements available on the market in easy to take capsule form. Please note — there are a variety of products on the market and sorting through them and selecting the best one for your needs can be confusing. Many companies trying to cash in on trends do not really care about the quality of their product, therefore their products may be ineffective. Take time and care and perform research to ensure that you are taking the right supplement for your needs. Always consult your doctor if you have any questions.