Health Benefits of Curcumin and Turmeric

Scientific studies have been ongoing since 2004, but the spicy plant called turmeric has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of different ailments, including arthritis, digestive disorders and infections. In the later half of the 20th century, researchers found that the compound within turmeric having pharmacological activity is curcumin.

Researchers have been looking at a variety of different antioxidants that naturally occur in plants, because antioxidants scavenge free radicals. Free radical damage, within the cells, causes mutations that can lead to cancer.

They are also investigating the health benefits of curcumin as a natural anti-inflammatory, because chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer development, heart disease and many other age-related diseases. The drugs that we have are ineffective against these kinds of diseases.

If we can learn to prevent free radical damage and chronic inflammation, we will start to see a healthier society. Those of us that are aware of these things are already doing everything within our power, in an effort to achieve that goal.

If you are looking for a single ingredient that does more than any other, you won?t find it. When you hear recommendations from cautious healthcare practitioners about eating a variety of different plant foods and drinking a variety of different beverages, they are saying that because they want you to have the benefit of the compounds found in the plants, but they are wary of suggestion supplementation.

But, eating curry or turmeric is not the best way to get the health benefits of curcumin. The impact that this compound has on cells is enormous. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to kill cancer cells, without causing damage to healthy cells. 16 separate studies have shown a reduction of cancer in animals that have been given a carcinogen.

In the bloodstream, it inhibits the accumulation of plaques in the arteries and the brain. These plaques are responsible for arterial diseases and Alzheimer?s. The problem is this. How do we get it into the bloodstream?

If you want the health benefits of curcumin, you need to choose a well designed supplement that includes an enteric coating and piperine, a compound present in black pepper. The enteric coating protects curcumin from digestive acids, while piperine enhances its bioavailability.

When turmeric is eaten, it is changed by digestive juices and very little gets into the bloodstream. This is true of many other nutrients including SAM-e and resveratrol.

The best supplements on the market contain SAM-e, resveratrol, piperine, turmeric and a wide range of other nutrients, including essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Regardless of healthy and varied your diet may be, it is not possible to get all of the beneficial nutrients found in the natural world, without supplementation. You can get the health benefits of curcumin and much more, if you choose the right supplement.

Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching anti aging vitamin supplements and natural skincare products. As a result of that effort she has found what she believes to be the best anti aging supplement available on the market today. Learn about what she discovered at her website NaturalBalanceSupplements.com

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Science Supports Curcumin and Turmeric as Anti Aging Supplement Ingredients

In the past, researchers have seen that some plant extracts are beneficial for preventing cancer formation. Others prevent the growth of tumors. Still others cause the cancer cells to kill themselves, believe it or not.

Curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric rhizomes their orange color, has been shown to do all of those things; prevent the formation, slow the growth and cause the cells to die. All of this has been seen without having any negative effect on healthy cells.

It is important to remember that these studies were conducted in the laboratory, using animal models and cell lines. The results are, therefore, considered preliminary. Currently, there are several clinical trials in progress. These will provide more conclusive curcumin and turmeric evidence, in the area of cancer treatment. As a preventative measure, health experts agree that a variety of plant extracts are beneficial, no single one is more important than any other.

The benefit of curcumin for treating Alzheimer?s disease is the subject of another ongoing trial. Many researchers believe that Alzheimer?s disease is a form of amyloidosis, where a type of non-soluble protein based plaque (also known as amyloids) forms within neurons themselves. These plaques first reduce conductivity and as they build up, inhibit the neuron?s ability to process glucose for energy, resulting in cell death. Preliminary studies suggest that curcumin inhibits the formation of these plaques. It is said to have ?anti-amyloid? activity.

There is a great deal of curcumin and turmeric evidence in other areas, as well. The extracts are helpful with all manner of stomach issues including gas, bloating, belching, appetite loss, and nausea. They have been used for treating ulcerative colitis.

Researchers have studied the effects of these extracts on ailments such as cataracts and chronic anterior uveitis, which is an inflammation of the iris. Their effect on fungal infections, multiple sclerosis, and high cholesterol are also being investigated. The extract is currently being use to treat people with dyspepsia, which is inadequate bile flow in the gallbladder.

With all of the curcumin and turmeric evidence that you have read about here it might seem that taking this single extract would be all that you ever need do to live a long healthy life, but nothing could be further from the truth. Researchers may be looking for a single magic pill, but the human body needs more.

You should seek out nutritional supplements that contain a vast array of vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes, as well as extracts such as curcumin from turmeric, resveratrol from red grapes, and catechins from green tea. There is enough curcumin and turmeric evidence to verify that it has medical worth. But, don?t shortchange yourself when it comes to the supplements you take. Ask for more, because more is available.

Valerie Rosenbaum has spent several years researching every anti aging supplement available today. As a result of that effort she has found that it is critical to include an enteric coating for an anti aging supplement to be truly effective. Learn more about what she discovered at her website NaturalBalanceSupplements.com

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Can Turmeric�s Curcumin Help You Stay Healthy?

Turmeric is what gives curry its brilliant yellow color and provides the rich flavor in Indian cuisine. Turmeric has been safely consumed for thousands of years and it can be taken as a simple daily supplement if Indian cuisine isn?t your forte. Turmeric has the ability to lower blood pressure and may therefore have an additive effect if taken with drugs that also lower blood pressure. Turmeric should be used with caution in people with diabetes or hypoglycemia or people taking drugs that lower blood sugar, because it can increase insulin sensitivity which lowers blood sugar levels.

Turmeric?s active ingredient inhibits enzymes which participate in the synthesis of inflammatory substances in the body. It is considered a potent non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory that has been very beneficial for the relief of the temporary discomforts caused by rheumatism, arthritis, and disease related to inflammation. Curcumin also appears to reduce inflammatory agent associated with Alzheimer?s related inflammation in neurologic tissue. Women in India are often praised for their beautiful skin, and they, in turn, praise Curcumin as the reason for it due to its antioxidant properties. This herb is also good for fighting various cancers.

Curcumin has demonstrated its ability to Inhibit cancer cells from growing which prevents the over production of an enzyme that contributes to the development of tumors. It also reduces irritation caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapies, and inhibits formation and cancerous growth factors. Curcumin helps prevent the DNA mutations that can lead to cancer through its antioxidant properties.

More importantly, Curcumin is now the subject of several studies that show great promise in the treatment of malignant disease, including prostate, colon and breast cancers. Curcumin can stop the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells, according to a study in the journal Cancer, pancreatic cancer can be terminal if diagnosed. Beside cancer, curcumin is considered a promising herb for the treatment of other diseases, most of which are related to the aging process.

Furthermore, curcumin also demonstrates in vitro its ability to inhibit COX-I and COX-II enzymes, which are involved in the body?s inflammatory reaction. It is known to increase bile production and boost the production of enzymes that digest sugar and fat which may inhibit cholesterol from crystallizing into gallstones. Dietary supplementation of curcumin enhances antioxidant and phase II metabolizing enzymes in male mice. This demonstrates its ability to protect against chemical carcinogenesis and toxicity.

In a recent rat study that was conducted to evaluate the effects of turmeric on the liver's ability to detoxify toxic chemicals, levels of two very important liver detoxification enzymes showed increased activity demonstrating that curcumin can boost liver detox in animal studies.

It makes good sense to use a lot of curry in your cooking. If that isn?t possible due to culinary preferences, one should seriously consider taking supplemental Curcumin on a regular daily basis for its antioxidant properties alone. However, most importantly for those with arthritis, curcumin supplements have been found to be most effective for treatment of inflammation especially in the area of arthritis.

In Conclusion, no toxic side effects have been linked to the use of curcumin, but with all herbs, people taking blood thinners should not use this herb medicinally, as it may increase the action of these medications thereby further thinning the blood. For those taking OTC drugs, curcumin was found to be as effective as ibuprofen in combating inflammation in some individuals with zero side effects. Have you had your curry today?

More information on curcumin extract is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

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Asian Spice Could Reduce Breast Cancer Risk In Women Exposed To Hormone Replacement Therapy

Turmeric Root and Turmeric Powder. Researchers have found that curcumin, a popular Indian spice derived from the turmeric root, could reduce the cancer risk for women after exposure to hormone replacement therapy. (Credit: iStockphoto)
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Previous studies have found that postmenopausal women who have taken a combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy have increased their risk of developing progestin-accelerated breast tumors. Now, University of Missouri researchers have found that curcumin, a popular Indian spice derived from the turmeric root, could reduce the cancer risk for women after exposure to hormone replacement therapy.

Hmmmm, evidence keeps creeping into the news that there just might be something here. Turmeric, or more specifically curcumin, one of its ingredients, seems to have useful, powerful components that have medicinal powers. It's worth reading these evolving developments.

Turmeric, Vitamin D, Curcumin May Help Clear Amyloid Plaques Found In Alzheimer's Disease

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UCLA scientists and colleagues from UC Riverside and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute have found that a form of vitamin D, together with a chemical found in turmeric spice called curcumin, may help stimulate the immune system to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques considered the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

Maybe there really is something to ayurvedic medicine, which is the traditional form of medicine of India. In any case, eat your veggies, which, if they are Indian, probably contain turmeric.