Turmeric Is Just as Effective as These Drugs
You are probably aware that turmeric is one
of the most potent superfoods you could possibly get your hands on. But
did you know that turmeric is actually roughly as potent as many kinds
of medication? Keep reading to discover what kinds of medication can
possibly be replaced or supplemented by turmeric:
Lipitor/Atorvastatin (cholesterol
medication)
A 2008 study revealed that a standardized preparation of curcuminoids
from turmeric had very similar effects to atorvastatin (trade name
Lipitor) when it came to treating endothelial dysfunction, a driver for
atherosclerosis. It was also associated with reductions in oxidative
stress and inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients.
Aspirin (blood thinner)
Research shows that curcumin has even more anti-platelet and
prostacyclin modulating effects than aspirin. This goes to show that it
could be useful to patients prone to vascular thrombosis, who often
require anti-arthritis therapy.
Corticosteroids (steroid medications)
Numerous studies have found that turmeric can be just as effective as
many kinds of steroids. One found that the curcumin found within
turmeric compared favorably to steroids used to treat the inflammatory
eye disease known as anterior uveitis. Other studies also found that
chemicals found within turmeric are just as effective as steroidal drugs
that tackle lung ischemia-reperfusion injuries and those that protect
injuries caused by lung transplants.
Prozac/Fluoxetine & Imipramine (antidepressants)
A 2011 study that can be found in the journal Acta Poloniae
Pharmaceutica showed us that curcumin also compares favorably to both
Imipramine as well as Prozac/Fluoxetine when it comes to tackling the
root causes of depression.
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Curcumin has also been found to be an effective alternative to a whole
host of anti-inflammatory drugs. These include ibuprofen, aspirin,
phenylbutazone, naproxen, sulindac, dexamethasone, celecoxib,
indomethacin, diclofenac, and tamoxifen, particularly when it comes to
exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity against tumor
cells.
Oxaliplatin (a chemotherapy drug)
A 2007 study concluded that curcumin also compares favorably with
oxaliplatin as an antiproliferative agent in colorectal cell lines,
which is certainly good news for any patients who are undergoing
chemotherapy.
Metformin (diabetes drug)
Curcumin has also been touted as being highly valuable in the treatment
of diabetes. One study found that it suppresses gluconeogenic gene
expression (which suppresses glucose production in the liver) in
hepatoma cells, while simultaneously activating AMPK (which increases
glucose uptake). What's more, the researchers actually discovered that
curcumin is between 500 and 100,000 times more powerful than metformin
in activating AMPK and its downstream target acetyl-CoA carboxylase
(ACC).