Turmeric is one of the fastest-growing herbs on the market. You can now find it in a variety of food and beverage products, like Thrive Remedies Recovery adaptogenic tea. It is also frequently used in cosmetics, dermatology products and supplements. Turmeric isn’t anything new. It has been a part of the culture, cuisine and healing traditions in South Asian countries for centuries. It has long been used as a vibrant spice to flavour curry dishes and in ancient medicines for its healing properties. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic believe that turmeric can help strengthen the body, relieve gas, improve digestion, relieve arthritis and regulate menstruation. 

Because of the overwhelming amount of health benefit claims, turmeric is one of the most frequently discussed herbs in the science world. We’ve done the research for you and put together a list of some of the extraordinary evidence-based health benefits of turmeric.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric comes from the root of a plant native to India and other Southeast Asian countries. It is a member of the ginger family and has a distinct yellow or golden colour. You can find it in capsule, powder, tincture and tea form. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which gives it the majority of its healing properties. 

It is recommended to take between 500mg to 1000mg of curcumin per day in order to receive the health benefits. One teaspoon of turmeric only has about 200 mg of curcumin in it, so supplementation with latte’s, smoothies and tea are a great way to ensure you’re getting the desired dose. When cooking with turmeric, try pairing it with black pepper. Black pepper increases the bioavailability of turmeric allowing your body to properly absorb it, making the most of its wonderful health benefits.

Always speak with a licensed healthcare practitioner before taking herbal supplements as they do not agree with some medications or conditions.

1. Anti-inflammatory

Some inflammation is good. It’s a natural bodily process, but chronic inflammation can lead to the development of numerous diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, depression and allergies. Turmeric is most well known for its ability to fight inflammation. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, blocks the activation of inflammatory cells. It may even be more effective than Ibuprofen or Advil at reducing inflammation and the related symptoms. Studies show that curcumin can help improve symptoms related to several inflammatory diseases or conditions, such as PMS, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis.

2. Helps Treat Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that has no cure to date. There are treatment options available, but they are often not suitable long term due to their undesirable side effects and effectiveness. Adaptogens and herbal remedies, including curcumin, are usually recommended as an alternative or in combination with other treatments.

Several studies have proven the effectiveness of curcumin in treating symptoms of arthritis. In each study, participants saw a considerable reduction in their arthritis symptoms, like pain, swelling and stiffness, compared to the placebo groups. The groups treated with curcumin also had similar results to the groups treated with Ibuprofen, but they experienced fewer side effects.

3. Supports Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Canada. There are many contributing factors like diet, exercise, age, genetics and unhealthy habits that can cause damage to the body’s circulatory system. Curcumin can reverse the damage that can lead to heart disease and could potentially be used as a preventative measure.

Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and improve blood vessel structure and function. In one study, participants undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were given 4 grams of curcumin daily for three days before their surgery and five days after. They saw a 16.9% more decrease in the risk of having a heart attack after surgery than the placebo group.

4. Enhances Excercise Performance

High-intensity exercise puts stress on your body, causing muscle damage and inflammation, which can lead to fatigue and decreased physical performance. Supplementation has been proven as an effective way to reduce the symptoms of muscle damage from exercise. Recently, several clinical studies have begun to look at curcumin specifically for its ability to improve athletic performance.

Participants from various backgrounds, ages, gender and athletic ability took part in the studies. They were given varying doses of curcumin for different lengths of time. As a result, they saw a reduction in inflammation, oxidative stress, pain and muscle damage. They also saw an improvement in recovery time, muscle performance, brain function and digestive function.

5. Eases Symptoms of Depression & Anxiety

Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications don’t always work for everyone, or they can have some undesirable side effects. This has sparked considerable interest in finding safe and effective herbal alternatives with antidepressant properties. Over the past few years, curcumin, in particular, has become the interest of several clinical trials with promising results.

Curcumin can alter some biological functions associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). It has been shown to positively affect serotonin, dopamine and antioxidant activity, immune and inflammatory response, stress pathways and brain function. All of which contribute to symptoms of MDD.

One study examined the effectiveness of curcumin compared to the antidepressant Fluoxetine. The 60 participants were split into three groups. Group one was given 20mg of the antidepressant daily, group two was given 1000mg of curcumin daily, and the third group was given a combination of both daily. After six weeks, all three groups saw similar improvements. This suggests that the herb was as effective as the antidepressants and has the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for depression or used with over-the-counter antidepressants.

6. May Help Treat and Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes. Recently, it has been gaining scientific attention for its potential as a treatment. Studies show that curcumin may help treat and prevent type 2 diabetes and complications of the disease because of its ability to reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar and blood fat levels.

In one study, 240 prediabetic participants were given 250mg of curcumin or a placebo for nine months. At the end of the trial, 16.5% of the people in the placebo group were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. None were diagnosed with diabetes in the group receiving curcumin, and they had lower insulin resistance.

7. Supports Skin Health

8. Supports Brain Health

9. Aids in Digestion

References:

1. Curcumin: A Review on Its Effects on Human Health
2. Clinical Use of Curcumin in Depression
3. Efficiency of Curcumin for the Treatment of Major Depression
4. Curcumin for the Treatment of Depression
5. Efficiency and Safety of Curcumin in Major Depressive Disorder
6. Turmeric for Cardio Vascular Disease
7. The Protective Role of Curcumin in Cardiovascular Disease
8. Effects of Curcumin on Sports and Physical Exercise
9. Influence of Curcumin on Performance and Post Exercise Recovery
10. Systematic Review on the Effects of Curcumin on Sport and Physical Exercise
11. Curcumin and Diabetes
12. Curcumin and Type 2 Diabetes: Prevention and Treatment
13. Effects of Turmeric on Skin Health
14. Efficiency of Turmeric and Curcumin on Arthritis
15. Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin in Digestive Diseases
16. The Effects of Curcumin on Alzheimer’s Disease
17. Curcumin Reverses the Effects of Chronic Stress
18. Curcumin: A Potent Protectant Against Gastric and Esophageal Disorders

*** Disclaimer: The content on this website (Thrive Remedies) is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended or suitable in place of advice from your health care practitioner or licensed physician. The information and products on this website should not be used for diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing a health problem, you should always consult a health care provider or licensed physician for advice. ***

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