Tumeric benefits are being recognized as indispensable for antiaging. In the form of curcumin, it has become a popular supplement. The beneficial effect on alzheimers has led to multiple uses, as it is now recognized as a powerful anti-inflammatory substance.
Super Healthy Spice…
Tumeric Powder
What if I told you that one of the most effective anti-inflammatory and antiaging substances came from a common kitchen spice? Say hello to our newest aging fighter called tumeric!
It is an orange yellow powder, used in ethnic Indian and Thai cooking, and is also a folk remedy for a list of ills. Curcumin is extracted from this Ayervedic spice which is used to make an Indian dish called curry. Indian spice called tumeric, also referred to as curry spice.
It is the principle “curcuminoid” (a polyphenol compound) of the Indian spice. The polyphenols it contains give it it’s distinctive yellow color.
The benefits come mainly from the curcumin. While curry spice is mainly used in cooking, curcumin is used for a variety of health and medicinal applications in it’s supplement form.
Here are some potential uses, known and suspected benefits:
- Used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for almost 4000 years
- Potential anti-cancer activity
- Potent anti-inflammatory activity
- Possible anti-viral activity
- Powerful antioxidant
- Anti-arthritis activity
- Possibly protects against alzheimers disease
- Increases effectiveness of antibiotics
- Protects the liver from toxicity
- Protects against lipid peroxidation and DNA damage
- Possibly improves mental function
- Prevents and repairs muscle damage
Curry Spice and Alzheimers
Curry powder is used extensively in India for cooking. Coincidentally India has the lowest rate of alzheimers disease in the world. Research has pointed to a relationship between the use of curry and the low incidence of alzheimers.
This led researchers to suspect that curry powder because of it’s tumeric content, protects the brain from alzheimers disease. Even though this is not considered proof, it would seem that the curcuminoid polyphenols in curry powder act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.
curry sauce
Given this evidence, it would be wise to add this popular spice to your diet, if you have a taste for spicy food.
Curry sauce is a staple in both Indian and Thai cooking. It’s a very delicious addition to your culinary landscape that will make you even healthier!
The best way to get tumeric benefits is to add it to you cooking whenever you can. This is a health promoting spice you can enjoy in your food without feeling guilty!
Curcumin Supplements
Since it is unstable in the stomach, very little is actually absorbed. Supplements try to get around this by using different forms such as nano-particles and delivery in (liposomal) oil based forms.
When added to curcumin, 20 mg of piperine (extracted from black pepper) increases absorption by 2000%, so look for the addition of piperine in a quality supplement.
Judging from the results of the Indian diet, enough does make it into the bloodstream to have a beneficial effect. There are many quality curcumin supplements on the market. Here are a few brands I would recommend:
- Jarrow Formulas
- Life Extension
- Now Foods
The liposomal and nano particle forms are the cutting edge for curcumin supplements and I will be reviewing them in the coming months, so that I can make a recommendation. Remember that tumeric benefits can be had by using the spice as well as supplemental form.
The liposomal and nano particle forms are the cutting edge for curcumin supplements and I will be reviewing them in the coming months, so that I can make a recommendation. Remember that tumeric benefits can be had by using the spice as well as supplemental form.There may be nutritional co-factors that add to the benefits of just taking curcumin alone, so the next time you are in the mood for some spicy food, don’t hold the curry sauce!
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