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What is turmeric curcumin good for?
31 August 2021
Turmeric and curcumin are well known throughout the medicinal world as a powerful supplement, aiding with a multitude of health concerns.
With its origins stemming from traditional Asian cuisine and medical practises spanning thousands of years, turmeric is best known as the vibrant, yellow spice that is found in many curries.
More recently in western cultures, it’s now regularly used to assist with a wide range of illnesses, thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [1].
Find out more about what makes turmeric curcumin so powerful, and how it may be able to assist you with your own health concerns.
While curcumin may play a key role in making turmeric into the superfood it is today, turmeric does come with its own set of health-aiding benefits. Some of the notable abilities of turmeric are:
Turmeric is a true brain food – Turmeric has been found to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and protein commonly found within the brain and spinal cord. BDNF plays an important role in maintaining the health of nerve cells, which are crucial for learning and memory [2].
Common brain ailments such as Alzheimer’s tend to see lower levels of BDNF, suggesting that turmeric could help to negate the effects of the disease, as well as other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Turmeric can improve skin health and protect from Free Radicals – Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, turmeric has been suggested as a treatment for a range of skin conditions, including acne and psoriasis [3].
The antioxidant nature of turmeric may also assist in protecting the human body from environmental pollutants, that can lead to a range of common diseases.
Curcumin is responsible for the majority of the healing properties of turmeric and is a powerful supplement when it comes to tackling a range of health concerns. Some of the area’s curcumin may assist with are:
Curcumin may treat a range of inflammatory conditions – Curcumins anti-inflammatory effects have been utilised for many, many years to aid in the prevention of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or arthritis [4].
Inflammation is also widely linked to tumour growth, with suggestions that curcumin may help to treat and prevent a variety of cancers, slowing cell growth [5].
Curcumin may protect against heart disease – Curcumin has been known to improve the lining of blood vessels, an important factor in the prevention of heart disease and the regulation of blood pressure [6].
Turmeric and curcumin have been known to play an important role in sustaining a healthy body for thousands of years. Used as a supplement alongside prescribed treatments, the superfood can be used to prevent and treat a range of concerns and conditions.
References:
[1] https://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/14/2/141.pdf
[2] https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/BDNF
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5816303/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492709/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12680238
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543305
With its origins stemming from traditional Asian cuisine and medical practises spanning thousands of years, turmeric is best known as the vibrant, yellow spice that is found in many curries.
More recently in western cultures, it’s now regularly used to assist with a wide range of illnesses, thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [1].
Find out more about what makes turmeric curcumin so powerful, and how it may be able to assist you with your own health concerns.
Turmeric benefits
While curcumin may play a key role in making turmeric into the superfood it is today, turmeric does come with its own set of health-aiding benefits. Some of the notable abilities of turmeric are:
Turmeric is a true brain food – Turmeric has been found to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and protein commonly found within the brain and spinal cord. BDNF plays an important role in maintaining the health of nerve cells, which are crucial for learning and memory [2].
Common brain ailments such as Alzheimer’s tend to see lower levels of BDNF, suggesting that turmeric could help to negate the effects of the disease, as well as other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Turmeric can improve skin health and protect from Free Radicals – Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, turmeric has been suggested as a treatment for a range of skin conditions, including acne and psoriasis [3].
The antioxidant nature of turmeric may also assist in protecting the human body from environmental pollutants, that can lead to a range of common diseases.
- Easing the symptoms of hay fever
- Treatment of depression
- Lowering cholesterol
- Pain and inflammation
- Osteoarthritis
- Itching
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Stress
Curcumin benefits
Curcumin is responsible for the majority of the healing properties of turmeric and is a powerful supplement when it comes to tackling a range of health concerns. Some of the area’s curcumin may assist with are:
Curcumin may treat a range of inflammatory conditions – Curcumins anti-inflammatory effects have been utilised for many, many years to aid in the prevention of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or arthritis [4].
Inflammation is also widely linked to tumour growth, with suggestions that curcumin may help to treat and prevent a variety of cancers, slowing cell growth [5].
Curcumin may protect against heart disease – Curcumin has been known to improve the lining of blood vessels, an important factor in the prevention of heart disease and the regulation of blood pressure [6].
Some of the other distinctive benefits of Curcumin are:
- It has been linked to increased brain function and lowering the risk of brain diseases
- Improves the lining of blood vessels and can help stop heart disease
- Can help prevent cancer
- Eases the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory issues
- Can be used to treat depression
Turmeric and curcumin have been known to play an important role in sustaining a healthy body for thousands of years. Used as a supplement alongside prescribed treatments, the superfood can be used to prevent and treat a range of concerns and conditions.
References:
[1] https://archive.foundationalmedicinereview.com/publications/14/2/141.pdf
[2] https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/BDNF
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5816303/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492709/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12680238
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543305