This Active Ingredient Is One of Nature's Best Gifts - Turmeric
Some of us are only finding out now what
the Asians, Indians, the American Indians and the Chinese knew a long
time ago - that one of the most amazing medicinal herbs is no rare plant
or an artificially created compound. One of the most effective natural
ingredients is actually a common herb - the turmeric.
Or, more precisely, its active ingredient -
Curcumin. The percentage of Curcumin is very low in the Turmeric plant,
and so it needs to be either digested for a very long time, or one can
take curcumin pills, which hold a high percentage of Curcumin, to treat a
variety of problems.
The turmeric is a shrub with large and wide leaves that envelope it and
hide the flowers in its center. It mainly grows in south-east Asia,
where it has been used as a cooking and medicinal herb for thousands of
years. It is the herb that gives the traditional Indian dish, the Curry,
its typical yellow color and strong taste.
The Curcumin hides many medicinal properties behind its familiar
exterior - It strengthens the immune system, delays (and may even
prevent) Alzheimer's Disease, prevents neuron death, strengthens the
cells, it is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, it helps keep
sugar levels, helps the digestive system, reduces the risk of stroke and
heart disease and most importantly - Is a great ally in the war against
cancer, delaying its spread and stabilizing patient condition.
Only recently, after a sequence of
successful experiments, has modern science discovered the full potential
of Curcumin.
It started in 2005 with a research into Alzheimer's disease, where it
was found that taking Curcumin prevented the outbreak of Multiple
sclerosis and cystic fibrosis in mice. This interested the scientific
community, and other research was conducted, with astonishing results:
For many patients, the curcumin delayed the onset of cancer cells and
even stabilized the condition of patients with aggressive cancer cells.
In the last 7 years, over 20 different experiments were made,
researching the influence of Curcumin, and the scientific world was
flabbergasted:
Delays and stabilizes the spread of cancer
Curcumin slows the spread of cancer cells by denying their replication
process and strengthening the protection of cell membranes.
Strong antioxidant effects
Curcumin, because of the shape of its molecule, is very effective in
preventing the oxidation processes and activity of free radicals in the
body (Antioxidant), and thus slows the damage to our body cells and as a
consequence - slows the aging of skin cells.
Increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy
Curcumin is especially effective in combination with chemotherapy,
encouraging the process and increasing its efficiency.
Delays and reduces the chance of deterioration of the brain in adults
Curcumin helps the brain activity of older people, and may slow the
cognitive decline by up to 49%. Even the occasional consumption of
curry, the popular Indian dish that contains curcumin, reduces the risk
of mental decline by up to 38% (American Journal of Epidemiology).
Anti-inflammatory and fights arthritis
Curcumin, when given as an essence by injection, fights inflammatory
diseases and in fact is an anti-inflammatory in general, particularly
effective in aiding the body in the fight against arthritis. Studies
have shown that cartilage destruction in mice that were given the
extract was reduced by 66%, and bone destruction in patients who
received the extract was reduced by 57%.
Helps maintain a healthy heart and helps a sick heart return to action
Researchers in Canada found out that curcumin also reduces the risk of
heart failure, as it helps the heart to return to normal and reduces the
spread of scar tissue.
Anti-diabetic activity and reduces the risk of disease
In 2008 it was discovered that Curcumin also encourages the activity of
liver enzymes that convert glucose carbohydrates, and creates
anti-inflammatory activity that is required by people with a high fat
content. The researchers suggest that consumption of small doses of
curcumin daily is a great natural booster to traditional treatment, and
significantly lowers the risk of diabetes in people who are overweight.
Fights cell death and the death of brain cells killed by Alzheimer's
disease
Curcumin may protect against Alzheimer's disease, and inhibits and
prevents cell death caused by the disease. In India, where curry with
curcumin is eaten regularly, Alzheimer's disease is much rarer than in
other countries.
Increases and strengthens the immune system
In 2009 researchers at the University of Michigan found that curcumin
strengthens our cell membranes and thus increases the resistance against
foreign infections entering the body. Perhaps this is one reason why
curcumin fights cancer so well.
Reduces the risk of stroke, strengthens the body's blood vessels and
lowers blood pressure
Researchers realized that curcumin slows the body's blood clotting
activity, which causes a decreased risk of blood clots and strokes.
Also, since curcumin enhances the blood cells, contributes to the
strength of a body's blood vessels, lowers blood cholesterol
concentration and fight infections, it actually lowers blood pressure.
Helps in digestion and absorption of nutrients
Curcumin fights harmful bacteria and thus facilitates digestion and
reduces the risk of bacterial infection. Curcumin also reduces the
accumulation of gas in the intestines, thereby preventing abdominal pain
and swelling.
How to take it:
The best way to consume curcumin is by taking curcumin capsules
containing a high concentration of the active ingredient in turmeric,
the curcumin. You can find those in most health shops. When eaten, most
of the curcumin gets destroyed by the stomach acid. Taking concentrated
pills negates that effect and allows the body to absorb a significant
amount of curcumin by letting the compound go through the digestive
tract and reach the bloodstream and from there to all parts of the body,
where the curcumin does its work to improve our health.