Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years and is known as one of the most healing spices on this planet. With a compound known as curcumin, science is now confirming the health benefits and medicinal properties the Indians have always recognized. From decreasing inflammation to boosting brain health, here are six reasons you should be taking a turmeric supplement every day.
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Anti-inflammatory
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which works as an anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant. Acute (short-term) inflammation is necessary for our survival, while chronic (long-term) inflammation can be detrimental to our well-being causing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, brain degeneration, and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin shows to be as powerful as conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, working at the cellular level stopping inflammation at its inception. (1) How curcumin does this effectively is by blocking a molecule known as NF-kB that triggers your cells to inflame, a natural response to protect the body from foreign invaders. Unfortunately, most turmeric supplements and your turmeric seasoning don’t provide enough curcumin to make a difference, and it can be difficult for the body to absorb. To reap the benefits of this potent compound, opt for a turmeric extract and take the supplement with black peppercorn, which aids in your bodies ability to absorb the component to its full potential.
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Combats Free Radicals
Free radicals are the culprit to aging and DNA damage, which is why it is essential to supplement with antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage to our cells. Curcumin proves to be a powerful antioxidant that combats the daily environmental stress and free radicals we encounter. It also has been shown to boost our body’s own ability to produce antioxidant enzymes creating a double dose of free radical fighting power. (3)
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Improves Brain Function, Mood, and Decreases Risk of Brain Disease
Studies show that curcumin can increase the growth hormone called Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, or BDNF, which is what allows your neurons to multiply. The addition of neurons in your brain is directly linked to a decrease in brain-related diseases and an increase in brain function, making the brain younger, smarter, and boosting your memory and focus.
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Lowers Risk Of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number one killer of humans. There are many conventional drugs that have been developed to combat this disease, but not without the added negative side effects. In recent studies, curcumin exhibits improvements in the function of the blood vessel walls, thus regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and decreasing oxidative stress. (5)
5.Prevent and Treat Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells in the body and curcumin helps regulate and even destroy these cells that are attacking the body by inhibiting the advancement of these deathly tumors at the cellular level. (6)
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Arthritis Treatment
Arthritis is primarily found in Western civilizations and is due to inflammation of the joints, causing pain and discomfort in the hands, feet, knees, etc. Since curcumin is an anti-inflammatory, studies show that it dramatically decrease joint inflammation and successfully treats arthritis better than conventional drugs.
Curcumin found in turmeric is an incredibly powerful anti-aging supplement that reduces inflammation, boosts brain activity, prevents and treats many diseases. When searching for a turmeric/curcumin supplement, look for an ingredient called Bioperine, which helps your body absorb all of the benefits. If you have a turmeric supplement already and it doesn’t include this ingredient, you can take it with whole peppercorns to increase absorption!
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19594223
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http://www.jbc.org/content/270/42/24995.full
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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02772248.2013.829061#.UyAZAfl_t8Ehttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02772248.2013.829061#.UyAZAfl_t8E
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899306027144
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543305
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18462866
