Turmeric is a spice that has been used in Indian households for cooking for thousands of years. Turmeric also has medicinal properties. Many scientific studies have proved that turmeric provides major benefits for your body and the brain. The active compound in turmeric that contains these medicinal properties is called curcumin. Curcumin is a main ingredient in many ayurvedic supplements.
Health Benefits of Turmeric Curcumin
1. Helps in Anti-inflammatory Response
One of the best benefits of curcumin is its anti-inflammatory property. In the right dosage curcumin is a more effective anti-inflammatory agent than pharmaceutical medication. Chronic inflammation can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and auto immune disease. Use of curcumin in such cases may help to alleviate the symptoms of chronic inflammation (1).
2. Helps to Provide Antioxidant Benefits
Free radicals formed in the body cause damage to cells which can lead to inflammation, accelerate ageing and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Curcumin helps to scavenge different types of free radicals, control enzymes that neutralize free radicals, and prevent certain enzymes from creating specific free radical types (2).
3. Helps to Improve Brain Health
The brain is the second most important organ in the body after the heart. Neurons in the brain can multiply and form new connections even in adults. A protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is responsible for a role in memory and learning, and it can be found in areas of the brain responsible for eating, drinking, and body weight.
Some research suggests that curcumin may increase brain levels of BDNF. This can help the body delay age related to brain decline and improve memory and attention (3).
4. Helps to Improve Heart Health
Curcumin helps to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart attack. Curcumin provides antioxidant benefits which help to neutralise the free radicals damaging heart cells (4). Curcumin also helps to improve the function of endothelium or the lining of your blood vessels. Endothelium illness is a major cause of heart disease. Weak endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors.
5. Helps to Prevent Certain Types of Cancer
Chronic inflammation leads to tumors in the body which can cause various types of cancer. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may help to prevent certain types of cancer. Research suggests that curcumin may help to slow the spread of tumor cells and may even prevent tumors from forming in the first place (5).
Curcumin can disrupt the formation of cancerous cells. It can also interfere with cell signaling pathways, and even cause those cancerous cells to die.
6. Helps to treat Alzheimer’s Disease
As discussed earlier, curcumin helps to increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which plays a key role in maintaining nerve health. Studies have linked Alzheimer with the lower levels of BDNF. Hence regular consumption of curcumin is helpful to prevent Alzheimer.
7. Helps to Prevent Arthritis
Another condition caused by chronic inflammation is arthritis. Curcumin supplements can be a good option to manage arthritis. One study found that in people with osteoarthritis curcumin supplements were more effective than people with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (6).
8. Helps to Manage Depression
Curcumin has shown potential in managing symptoms of depression. Like Alzheimer depression is also caused by the low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). One study found that 60 participants who were suffering from depression were divided into three groups. The first group received daily 20mg of fluoxetine, an anti-depressant. The second group received 1000mg of curcumin and the third one received a combination of both. After six weeks, the second and third group saw significant improvement. This helped conclude that curcumin is a safe and effective way to manage depression (7).
9. Helps to Improve Skin Health
Curcumin provides antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties help to improve skin conditions like acne, eczema and photoaging. According to a study topical curcumin treatment may be useful in treating skin disorders.
10. Helps to Heart Health
Curcumin provides antioxidant benefits by neutralizing free radical damaging heart cells. Thus, curcumin helps to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Curcumin also helps to improve the functions of blood vessels. Weak blood vessels are unable to maintain blood pressure and can cause heart problem.
11. Helps to Improve Liver function
Curcumin also helps in detoxing making it ideal to improve liver function. Its antioxidant properties help to prevent the liver from damage caused by toxins, which could be particularly beneficial for individuals using potent medications for diabetes or other conditions that may potentially harm the liver over time (8).
12. Helps to Improve Immune Function
Turmeric has gained recent attention due to its potent antioxidant properties. Its antioxidants seem effective in protecting the liver from damage caused by toxins, which could be particularly beneficial for individuals using potent medications for diabetes or other conditions that may potentially harm the liver over time (9).
Conclusion
Turmeric, and its active component curcumin, offer numerous scientifically supported health benefits, including the potential to improve cardiovascular health and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Curcumin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may aid in alleviating symptoms of depression and arthritis. Incorporating turmeric is not a problem especially, in Indian diets. But the bioavailability of curcumin is very low, hence taking a curcumin supplement is also a great option.
FAQs
1. What are turmeric and curcumin pills good for?
Turmeric and curcumin pills are good for heart health, detoxification, immune function and overall wellbeing.
2. Is it safe to take turmeric curcumin every day?
Yes, it is safe to take turmeric curcumin every day. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
3. What is the main health benefit of turmeric?
The main health benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory property which helps to protect against chronic inflammation.
4. Is turmeric curcumin safe for kidneys?
Yes, turmeric curcumin is safe for kidneys.
5. Who should avoid curcumin?
People who are on blood thinner should avoid curcumin.
