Turmeric, one of the most commonly used spice in India, is loaded with many health benefits, aside from adding colour and fragrance to the dishes. It is one of the most powerful dietary supplement, that is available naturally. From weightloss aid to several other disease curing qualities, now it is available in the form of supplements too. There has been numerous studies that have shown that turmeric offers significant benefits to the body as well as brain. And this is because of one secret and main active ingredient called curcumin.
Read on to learn what the researchers and science say about turmeric, precisely the curcumin’s benefits.
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What are turmeric and curcumin?
Turmeric is the spice that gives any curry the yellow color. Turmeric, the yellow coloured spice and a medicinal herb too is been used for thousands of years in India. Recently, science too has acknowledged to support traditional claims done by ayurveda, for turmeric that it contains compounds with great medicinal properties. These compounds are called curcuminoids, and amongst others, the most important one is curcumin.
To put it this way, the main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Along with having anti-inflammatory properties, it is also a very powerful antioxidant.
Here are the top 5 health benefits of turmeric and curcumin:
- Turmeric contains bioactive compounds with medicinal properties
The curcumin content in turmeric is not very high, usually about 3% by weight. Most research done on this herb (turmeric) has mostly used extracts of turmeric, which contain good quantity of curcumin. And it is recommended to take doses above 1 gram per day. But, it is also very difficult to fulfill these levels simply by using turmeric as a food spice.
For this reason, some people choose to use circumin supplements. But incorporating curcumin supplements in daily diet is not going to solve your problem alone, because of its poor rate of absorption into the bloodstream. To experience the full effects of curcumin, its bioavailability (the rate at which the body absorbs the substance) must be improved.
It has been observed that the combo of black pepper (which contains piperine) and curcumin increases the absorption rate of circumin in blood. Piperine is one of the naturally existing substance that increases the absorption of curcumin by almost 2,000%. In fact, the best curcumin supplements also contains piperine, and has proved to be very effective. As said earlier, circumin also has fat-dissolving properties, meaning it breaks down and dissolves the fats and oils. For the same reason, it is recommended that one should take curcumin supplements along with a high-fat meal.
- Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound
Inflammation is very important. It helps fight outside invaders and plays a role in repairing damage to the body. Acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, but when it becomes chronic and attacks the body’s own tissues, there are concerns. After conducting multiple researches, even the scientists now believe that chronic low-level inflammation may directly or indirectly contribute towards some health conditions and diseases. These include:
- Heart disease
- cancer
- metabolic syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Various degenerative diseases
Like there are many other ailments, in which circumin can help in wonderful ways to cure them.
- Turmeric can boost the body’s antioxidant capacity
Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the most common mechanisms behind aging and many other diseases too. They are referred as free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules with no paired paired electrons. Free radicals are known to react with important organic substances, like fatty acids, proteins and DNA. To stop free radicals to react with our body’s The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that, they protect the organic substances, against the free radicals. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and its chemical structure allows it to neutralize free radicals. Additionally, animal and cell studies suggest that curcumin can block the effects of free radicals and stimulate the effects of other antioxidants.More clinical trials are needed to confirm these benefits.
- Curcumin can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factors
Before scientists better understood neurons, they were thought to be incapable of dividing or multiplying after infancy. But today they know otherwise. Neurons have the ability of forming new connections along with proliferating and increase in numbers in specific areas of the brain. The important factorbehind increase in neuron’s numbering is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a gene. This gene is involved in making the proteins driving the neuronal life. BDNF protein plays a very significant role in memory that contributes to learning, and can be found in many areas of the brain, that is involved in eating, drinking, and weight management.
Many common brain disorders, such as depression and Alzheimer’s disease, are associated with decreased BDNF protein levels. Interestingly, animal studies have found that curcumin increases BDNF levels in the brain.
In this way, many brain disorders and age-related declines in brain function can be slowed or even reversed. It can also help improve memory and alertness given its effect on BDNF levels. More and more researches are conducted to confirm theory.
- Curcumin May Lower Risk of Heart Disease
After years and years of research, scientists have found that circumin can help in subsidsing the heart related ailment. Curcumin can help in reversing many stages of the heart disease process, thus help in treating heart diseases in natural way, well ofcourse doctor’s prescription should be followed too, and with whole-heartedly. Endothelial dysfunction is a major cause of heart disease. This occurs when the endothelium fails to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors. Some studies suggest that curcumin may improve heart health. In addition, curcumin may help reduce inflammation and oxidation (mentioned above) that can contribute to heart disease.
In a study of 121 people undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, researchers assigned either placebo or 4 grams of curcumin per day several days before and after surgery. 65% increased risk of having a seizure. At Elantis, we aim to cater to every need of a woman and her child, by providing the full spectrum of luxury healthcare.
Summary
Turmeric, and especially its most active ingredient, curcumin, has many scientifically proven health benefits, including improving heart health and possibly preventing Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
It has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also helps improve symptoms of depression and arthritis. While these benefits are possible, they are currently limited by curcumin’s low bioavailability and require further research.
