The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.
The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:
- It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
- When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
- Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
- May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
- Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
- Is a natural liver detoxifier.
- May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloid plaque buildup in the brain.
- May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
- It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
- Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
- Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
- May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
- Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
- Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
- Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
- Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
- Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
- Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
- May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.
Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it’s fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.
Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.
Ready to buy turmeric supplements or powder? Check out our 7 Best Turmeric Supplements article and our 6 Best Turmeric Powder Brands to help you decide which ones are right for you.
Best seller book on Benefits of Turmeric www.amazon.ca
Benefits of Using Turmeric in Cooking
August 27, 2010
The Benefits of turmeric are many. The peppery, golden spice has been used for thousands of years throughout India and China. Turmeric is also known as Indian saffron because of its similar hue. Although originally used as a dye, it was soon discovered that turmeric had many healing properties. Today, the spice is used in mustards and curies as much for its yellow color as for its warm and earthy flavor.
The health benefits of turmeric are due to its primary active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin is also the compound that gives turmeric its vivid yellow color. There are so many health benefits attributed to the use of turmeric; it’s definitely worth it to try to incorporate this spice into your diet. The following are just some of the many health benefits of turmeric.
Antioxidant Properties
Turmeric has strong antioxidant properties. Consuming turmeric on a regular basis can help prevent free radical damage associated with premature aging, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases. Indian populations have a fraction of the incidences of Alzheimer’s disease than Americans do. Traditional Indian diets are rich in curry based dishes. It’s thought that the turmeric in their curry dishes is at least partially responsible for the low incidences of Alzheimer’s in India.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. The active ingredient curcumin has been shown in several studies to be as effective as many prescription and over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs. And unlike traditional medications, curcumin is nontoxic. Many sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis have found relief from painful joint pain by adding turmeric to their diets.
Anti-tumor Properties
Regular use of turmeric is associated with lower risks of lung, breast, prostate and colon cancers. A recent study concluded that turmeric may also slow the spread of existing cancers. Scientists were able to keep breast cancers from spreading to the lungs of mice by giving them curcumin.
Asian children have a much lower risk of childhood leukemia. Some scientists feel that the use of turmeric is partly responsible for the lower childhood leukemia rates. Turmeric has been shown to destroy leukemia cells in laboratory tests.
Liver Detoxifier
Turmeric has been used for centuries for its ability to detoxify the liver. Several studies support this historical use with findings that turmeric can protect the liver from alcohol and other toxic substances.
Natural Blood Thinner
Turmeric can help to keep blood platelets from sticking together. This anti-platelet activity can have numerous health benefits. Not the least of which is helping to prevent blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.
Digestive Aid
One of the traditional uses of turmeric is as a digestive aid. The spice works by increasing bile production in the liver which helps with fat digestion. This same effect may also aid in weight loss.
Contraindications. Although turmeric is a fairly safe substance, large quantities should be avoided by those with bile obstructions or gallstones. Also, if you have a clotting disorder or are on blood thinning medications, consult your doctor before using turmeric