From boosting memory to alleviating pain and inflammation, turmeric has been shown to help a whole host of health issues. The delicious, brilliant-yellow-colored curry spice deserves a place in your daily diet thanks to its many health-boosting benefits.
Here are some of the many reasons to eat more turmeric:
TENDONITIS
A root similar to gingerroot, turmeric contains a potent compound that, not only gives it its signature yellow color, but also its anti-inflammatory properties. In a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry researchers found that curcumin improved the healing of tendonitis, which involves inflammation of the tendons that help maintain our structural integrity. That’s great news for anyone suffering from tendonitis, whether from a tennis or golf injury or gardening.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Recent research in the Journal of International Molecular Sciences found that curcumin helps to prevent kidney stones from forming in the urinary tract. It appears to prevent them from crystallizing in the first place. Considering the painful nature of kidney stones, anything that helps prevent their formation should be well-received.
MEMORY BOOSTING
You’ve probably heard of curcumin’s benefits for memory but you might not realize just how quickly it starts working. Research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology showed that within only one hour after taking a supplement containing one of turmeric’s active ingredients, curcumin, study participants had a significant improvement in memory and attention tasks compared to the placebo group.
ALZHEIMER’S PROTECTION
Research shows that the curcumin may even help to protect the brain against the plaque-formation found in Alzheimer’s disease. It seems to work by preventing the formation of beta amyloid plaques—which are key factors in Alzheimer’s disease. Even Alzheimer’s patients who exhibited severe symptoms, including: dementia, irritability, agitation, anxiety and apathy, had excellent therapeutic results when taking curcumin, according to another study published in the Japanese medical journal known as Ayu. In that study participants had significant memory improvements when they supplemented with 764 milligrams of turmeric that contained 100 mg of curcumin, every day for a year.
PROSTATE CANCER
Turmeric shows promise against prostate cancer. In a study published in the medical journal Precision Oncology, researchers found that compounds in turmeric, as well as others found in apples and grapes, starved and shrunk prostate cancer tumors. While more research needs to be done on this promising research, it certainly offers hope for sufferers of prostate cancer. And, considering that turmeric is, not only safe, but also offers many other health benefits, it is worth considering in the prevention and treatment of the disease
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Turmeric also offers promise in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease—a degenerative neurological disorder that is characterized by impaired motor functions and shaking. In a study published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, researchers found that turmeric may protect the nervous system from the toxins involved in causing the nervous system degeneration in Parkinson’s disease.
COLON CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
Curcumin not only shows benefits for prostate cancer, it has been found in multiple studies to reduce colon cancer risk. In one study published in Cancer Prevention Researchresearchers found that curcumin suppressed the ability of colon cancer cells to proliferate, suggesting it may be beneficial in preventing and treating the disease.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
In a study published in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging, researchers found that turmeric was as effective as ibuprofen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knees.
DIABETES
Research in the medical journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that turmeric can help regulate blood sugars as well as neuropathy and other problems linked to diabetes.
OBESITY
If you’re having trouble losing weight you might want to consider adding more turmeric to your diet and supplementing with curcumin. That’s because research in the journal Biofactors found that the spice alleviated the inflammation isolated as a cause in overweight and obesity. It not only helped with obesity, it helped to protect against some of the health-damaging effects of obesity.
You can add the spice turmeric to your soups, smoothies, stews and curries; however if you’re suffering from a serious health condition like those above you may benefit from higher doses of curcumin. Ideally choose a standardized extract of curcumin. Follow package directions for the product you select. A typical supplementary dose is 400 mg per day but discuss it with your doctor prior to use.
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