The tale of turmeric is both interesting and amazing. While this unusual spice is used in many indigenous societies throughout the world, the Western world has only lately become aware of its potential health advantages. Turmeric has suddenly appeared in our milk, lattes, cereals, vitamins, and personal care goods.
Turmeric is promoted as a natural and healthful cure for lowering infection, inflammation, and increasing immunity. Is turmeric a miracle cure for all of our health issues?
In this post, we will look into turmeric, often known as curcumin tablets in the Western world, and how they may be used to treat inflammation. So, let's take a closer look at this unusual spice, its advantages and hazards, and the healthiest methods to eat it.
Turmeric—More Than a Golden Spice
Here are some quick and interesting facts about turmeric:
- - Turmeric is predominantly grown and used in parts of Asia like India and Central America.
- - It is also known as the Golden Spice or Indian Saffron.
- - Turmeric is a dried rhizome (roots of a flowering plant) remotely related to the ginger family.
- - It has a bitter, pungent taste and a distinctive deep yellow shade.
- - Turmeric is an integral part of many industries, such as health, beauty, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and textiles and apparel.
- - Dried turmeric roots are sold commercially as tablets, gels, capsules, powders, teas, and extracts.
Does Turmeric Work as a Health Remedy?
Turmeric, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is a common component in several Eastern cuisines and Ayurveda, an ancient Indian health system. Turmeric is utilized in the ancient Ayurvedic medicinal system to treat both internal and external inflammation, including chronic pain and rheumatism.
Recent research in the Western world have looked at the anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric as a potential treatment for a variety of illnesses. Turmeric's superpowers are mostly derived from the polyphenol curcumin, its principal active component. Curcumin contains naturally occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This is significant since inflammation has a role in many chronic illnesses.
Curcumin inhibits the activation of various signaling molecules, including NF-κB (Nuclear Factor Kappa-Light-Chain-Enhancer of Activated B cells) and target genes that contribute to inflammation onset and progression. This effect might explain why curcumin has been shown to help with a variety of medical ailments.
Turmeric can reduce the risk of:
- Arthritis: Some studies show that turmeric helps alleviate arthritis symptoms such as joint pain and swelling by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and enzymes.
- Digestion: Turmeric is used in several traditional Eastern dishes to improve digestion. It can help with numerous digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, further study is required to validate turmeric's helpful involvement in digestive diseases.
- Cancer: Turmeric's anti-inflammatory qualities may help prevent tumor development, which can lead to cancer and multiple myeloma. However, these investigations are still ongoing and not definitive.
- Diabetes: Curcumin's medicinal capabilities have been shown in recent research to help prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes and related illnesses. However, considering the complexities of diabetes, additional research is needed to get a definitive conclusion about turmeric's function in diabetes prevention and management.
- Lung disease: According to several research, turmeric decreases inflammation, enhances immunity, combats allergies, and helps chronic lung illnesses like asthma. Curcumin is a safe add-on therapy for lung disorders, according to studies, although it may interact with certain drugs and therapies. Although the findings are promising, additional study is needed to prove curcumin as a viable treatment for bronchial asthma and other chronic lung disorders.
Turmeric may also improve:
- - Brain Health: There are studies that show curcumin can help prevent Alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression, brain degeneration, and other age-related disorders. These investigations were done using a modest sample size. More study with a bigger sample size is necessary to reach a conclusion.
- Skin Health: Turmeric may help prevent and treat a variety of skin diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities.Acne, psoriasis, and eczema are among of the skin disorders it may help with. However, turmeric should be used with caution since it can cause contact allergies and have negative effects on your skin. There have been cases of contact dermatitis following curcumin application to the skin. Further research is needed to establish turmeric as a treatment for chronic skin diseases. While turmeric can benefit your skin with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it is also an allergy and should be taken with caution.
Turmeric has the ability to prevent and cure a variety of illnesses, including pancreatitis. However, further study is necessary. Scientists are still unsure of what turmeric's anti-inflammatory capabilities may and cannot prevent or treat.
How Turmeric Helps to Fight Inflammation
Turmeric's anti-inflammatory qualities can help alleviate certain symptoms of chronic illnesses. However, it is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle that includes food, nutrition, and your doctor's recommended therapy.
The growing usage of turmeric for self-medication is predicated on the assumption that natural equals safe. Turmeric is natural, but it does not imply it has no adverse effects or is completely safe for everyone to use. Caffeine, tobacco, and arsenic are all natural, yet they can have negative side effects.
Another big problem is the absence of regulation, openness, testing, and accountability in traditional medical systems and commercial supplements. The US Food and Drug Administration presently has no regulations in place regarding supplements.
Turmeric is not a replacement therapy or cure for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. However, depending on how much you drink, it might be dangerous and worsen your illness.
How to Take Turmeric for Inflammation Safely
Turmeric has played an important role in several ancient societies and medical systems. There are particular methods to eat it safely for optimal health.
1. USE MINIMALLY
As a general guideline, use no more than a pinch of the spice per dish. The normal advice is no more than eight grams per day. Excessive turmeric use can cause acidity, bloating, nausea, headache, dizziness, rash, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. It can also exacerbate diabetes and renal issues. We also need further studies to determine the safety of long-term turmeric use.
2. PAIR IT WITH OTHER FOODS
Turmeric, on its own, has low bioavailability and absorption. It can be combined with other foods like pepper and ginger to increase its bioavailability. There are various unique ways to use this spice with other meals in your diet. Consider mixing it into powders, smoothies, chutneys, curries, soups, eggs, muffins, rice, meat, seafood, and veggies.
3. BUY MINIMAL QUANTITY
Turmeric's efficacy might diminish if it is frequently exposed to air. So, it's a good idea to buy turmeric in little quantities and keep it in a cold, dark spot.
4. CHOOSE SUPPLEMENTS WISELY
Not all turmeric pills are created the same. Choose those made with "phytosome technology" since they have higher absorption compared to other curcumin extracts and have the USP validated logo. However, because there are no rules on supplements, you should consult with your doctor before beginning a turmeric supplement to ensure that it does not mix with any of your existing drugs.
5. DON’T USE TURMERIC AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR DOCTOR’S MEDICATIONS
The final and most important point is that turmeric is not a substitute for your prescribed drugs. Turmeric's medicinal capabilities may alleviate some of the symptoms of your chronic disease, but they cannot fully treat or cure it.
Does Taking Turmeric for Inflammation Really Work?
Turmeric contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. More study and data are required before we can draw a firm judgment and promote it as a viable treatment for inflammation, which can lead to chronic illnesses.
However, when taken in the prescribed safe levels, turmeric is safe to use to treat mild diseases such as colds and coughs, as well as minor symptoms of chronic disease. If you have a chronic disease, you should consult with your doctor first regarding the appropriate dosage and compatibility with your existing drugs.
