Research shows that turmeric has several potential benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin.
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the ginger family. It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb. Research has shown that turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties.
These compounds are called curcuminoids. The most important one is curcumin, which is the main active ingredient in turmeric.
Read on to learn what the science says about turmeric and curcumin as well as their benefits.
While turmeric has several potential benefits, it should never be used as a replacement for medical treatment. It may also interact with certain medications.
A doctor can help you understand when it should be avoided.
Turmeric contains several bioactive compounds, which have several potential benefits, such as improving gut health and the immune system.
Curcumin is also fat-soluble, which means it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil. That’s why it may be a good idea to take curcumin supplements with a meal that’s high in fat.
Curcumin is a bioactive substance that can help fight inflammation, though very high doses are required to produce medicinal results.
Still, it means it has the potential to fight the inflammation in several conditions and diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the causes behind aging and many diseases.
It involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with can cause damage to other cells in your body.
Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can
Further clinical studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
Even in adulthood, brain neurons are capable of forming new connections, and in certain areas of the brain, they can multiply and increase in number.
One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a role in memory and learning, and it can be found in areas of the brain responsible for eating, drinking, and body weight.
Many common brain disorders have been linked to
Studies have found that curcumin
However, more studies are needed to confirm this.
Heart disease is the
Several other studies also suggest that curcumin can lead to improvements in heart health. In addition, curcumin
Many different forms of cancer appear to be
In fact, curcumin has been
Studies have shown that it can:
- contribute to the death of cancerous cells
- reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumors)
- reduce metastasis (spread of cancer)
However, further research is still needed. It’s important to know that curcumin cannot treat cancer, and supplements should not be used in place of medical treatment.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to up to
It’s known that inflammation and oxidative damage play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, and curcumin has been found to have
That said, whether curcumin can slow or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people is currently unknown and needs to be studied.
There are several different types of arthritis, most of which involve inflammation in the joints.
In a
That said, more study is needed to understand if curcumin can actually replace such drugs as a treatment for arthritis inflammation pain.
Curcumin has shown some promise in treating mood disorders. Its positive effects on the brain include boosting the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, reducing inflammation, and encouraging brain plasticity. This suggests the herb
If curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, it may have benefits for longevity as well.
Given that oxidation and inflammation are
Given turmeric’s various beneficial properties to health, it’s not a bad idea to take it daily. If you stick to 10 g or less, you are not likely to experience side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.
People who are pregnant or nursing, people who have gallbladder or kidney problems, those with bleeding disorders, or iron deficiency should limit turmeric. If you have any of these conditions, speak with a doctor before taking turmeric.
Turmeric — and especially its most active compound, curcumin — has many potential health benefits, such as improving heart health and preventing Alzheimer’s and cancer.
It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.
While these benefits are possible, they are limited at this time because of curcumin’s scarce bioavailability, and more research is needed to understand the exact effects.
