Health Benefits of Curcumin (An Extract of Turmeric)

Turmeric, an ancient Indian spice is one of the most effective nutritional supplements in known to man through the successive ages. Its main active ingredient that gives it its potency is called curcumin and hence we shall treat them as one since there can be no curcumin without turmeric the same way there can be no French fries without Irish potatoes. Below are listed some of these health benefits:

  • Health Benefits of Curcumin (An Extract of Turmeric)An effective relief for depression

Recent studies have proved that curcumin has the same potency in dealing with depression as do the most decorated prescription drugs and antidepressants such as Prozac. Depression is also linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and a shrinking hippocampus (a brain area with a role in learning and memory).Curcumin helps to enhance BNDF levels, and hence potentially reversing some of the processes in the brain responsible for causing depression.

  • Natural anti-inflammatory benefits

As a matter of fact, inflammation is a good and natural self-defense process that helps the body in warding off foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. This means that its absence would make our bodies vulnerable to lethal pathogens.

However, if it spirals out of control it can become chronic and inappropriately deploys reagents against the body’s own tissues. As it is, curcumin  has potency as an anti-inflammatory and it is just as good as that of conventional drugs.

  • Turmeric enhances the body’s anti-oxidation powers

Our bodies need to be protected from harmful free radicals which are responsible for the formation of cancer cells. That is why your body need s anti-oxidants and curcumin is a rich source of anti-oxidizing power. This power is embedded in its unique chemical structure and composition. It does this by blocking free radicals and by stimulating the body’s own natural anti-oxidant enzymes and mechanism.

  • Curcumin enhances brain power and protects it from  degenerative diseases

Health Benefits of Curcumin (An Extract of Turmeric)This is done by increasing a growth hormone in the brain called BDNF. When this hormone decreases in the brain it becomes prone to multiple disorders such as depression and Alzheimer’s disease. In its process of increasing levels, curcumin may also delay or even reverse numerous brain diseases and also age-related decrease in the functions of the brain.

  • Curcumin helps to fight heart diseases

This spice pigment has proven capability to improve the function of endothelium. When endothelium (the lining of the blood vessels) is functioning as it should there is an enhanced regulation of blood pressure and blood clotting is also boosted. With proper blood pressure regulation the chances of heart diseases are drastically reduced.

  • Turmeric helps in the treatment and prevention of cancer

Based on reliable studies, there is evidence that turmeric helps in the inhibition of the growth and spread of cancer cell. This includes, but is not limited to, cancers that affect the digestive system.

  • Curcumin is a good tool to combat Alzheimer’s disease

Since Alzheimer’s disease is still incurable a leading cause of dementia the world over, the best way to combat it is through prevention. Since inflammation and oxidization damage are chief culprits in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin comes as a  viable deterrent because of its proven anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing abilities.