Spice up your life with Turmeric
Dr. Eric Madrid
What can you do to improve your health? There may be a spice in your cabinet that holds the key. The ginger family’s root plant turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa and Indian saffron, is frequently ingested for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive health benefits. Many of the health advantages are thought to be provided by curcumin, a substance that is present in turmeric.
Over the past 4,000 years, turmeric has been a popular spice to flavor food, but it also has an important place in medicine! Its application is still being studied today as a complementary therapy for a variety of common illnesses, injuries, and chronic disorders.
I have suggested turmeric to patients as a first-line treatment for joint inflammation, generally known as arthritis, over the past decade. The outcomes have been excellent. Patients commonly have told me they were able to lessen the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pills (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, indomethacin, etc.) e and, in some cases, opiate-based medications.
Turmeric’s History
Practitioners of traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India have suggested using herbs and minerals as sources of medicinal therapy. Turmeric paste was administered to the skin for a variety of ailments. It was also breathed in to treat respiratory congestion. Despite the paucity of clinical investigations, contemporary Ayurvedic practitioners nonetheless acknowledge that turmeric is historically significant and still provides symptomatic relief to users.
Turmeric, also known as jiang huang, was used in traditional Chinese medicine because it was thought to have the ability to transfer a person’s “qi,” or life essence. Additionally, people thought turmeric increased blood flow, reduced stomach discomfort, and helped restore the female menstrual cycle, or amenorrhea, as it is known to medical professionals. The custom of utilising turmeric for these objectives has persisted even though its exact mechanism of action is still unknown.
Conventional Medicine
The use of turmeric as a holistic method of addressing medical issues has grown in popularity recently. Numerous renowned doctors have endorsed its use. One assertion is that consuming turmeric tea can aid in lowering stress and promote mental calmness. Turmeric use can also help decrease pain brought on by the inflammatory effects of osteoarthritis and can be beneficial for gut health as it may ease symptoms of abdominal acid reflux.
Turmeric’s Mechanism of Action
Although curcumin is known to be the active component in turmeric, its precise mode of action needs to be defined. However, it appears that turmeric works through a variety of ways, which explains why it has been used for so long to treat a wide range of medical issues. Turmeric appears to inhibit the COX-2 enzyme, which is similar to some prescription drugs.
CONDITIONS HELPED BY TURMERIC AND CURCUMIN
Arthritis
Humans have been afflicted by arthritis since the dawn of humanity. Over 250 million people are impacted globally. Before the invention of modern medications, persons who were ill did not merely endure infinite suffering; instead, they used natural remedies and organic foods to lessen their aches and pains. Many people today are looking for safer alternatives as their concern over the negative side effects of prescribed medications grows.
The Greek word arthron, which means joint, and the Latin word itis, which means inflammation, are the origins of the term arthritis. Therefore, the definition of arthritis is “inflammation of the joint.” 95 percent of cases of arthritis are osteoarthritis, while 5 percent are rheumatoid arthritis.
According to studies, turmeric can help with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis pain relief. Researchers have shown that turmeric can lower inflammation in a way that is comparable to some popular prescription medications. This plant can alter NF-B signalling and lower pro-inflammatory compounds, which are responsible for arthritis pain. These substances are known as COX-2 and 5-LOX by doctors.
A 2017 data collection in Tucson, Arizona, found that due to its anti-inflammatory effects, turmeric was the most often used herbal therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients who self-manage extra therapies to their normal prescribed drug.
Find out more about additional all-natural therapies for arthritis in addition to supplements that contain the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin.
Anti-oxidant
Our body ages and becomes harmed mostly as a result of oxidative damage. The browning of an apple or avocado left on the kitchen counter after being exposed to the air is an example of oxidation. Another illustration of oxidation is the rusting of a steel bumper when it is exposed to the environment. Sunlight, the atmosphere, sweets, prepared foods, and hazardous substances can all cause oxidative damage. Our bodies receive antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, which are rich in phytochemicals (plant chemicals), which assist to protect the body.
When taken as a curcumin supplement or added to food as a spice, turmeric is a powerful antioxidant. It is widely accepted that oxidative damage contributes to the development of aging, cancer and heart disease. According to a 2016 article in the journal Diseases, turmeric can aid in preventing oxidation.
Anti-cancer Properties?
Cancer was uncommon a century ago in the USA, Russia, Japan, and China. However, cancer is currently the number one killer in the world.
In the United States, cancer affected 3% of the population around the turn of the 20th century. Twenty percent of Americans experienced cancer by 1950. 38 percent of people had received a cancer diagnosis of some sort, by 2000. According to medical experts, 50%, or one in two persons, will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives by the year 2030. Significant contributors include a poor diet, inactivity, and environmental pollutants, which promote excessive oxidation. Increasing antioxidants like curcumin and turmeric aids in the process of detoxifying the body.
Curcumin appears to have anti-cancer properties. Curcumin may be able to prevent the growth of cancer cells, according to a preliminary laboratory study employing malignant cells extracted from the brain, large intestine, prostate, and blood. According to a 2013 study, curcumin truly prevents cancer by activating numerous metabolic pathways. Future possibilities for the use of curcumin in the treatment of cancer will probably involve many different processes.
Mouth sores are a frequent adverse effect of traditional cancer treatment. According to a 2015 study, curcumin was superior than the typical prescription mouthwash that is frequently supplied to those who have sores from chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Typically affecting elderly persons, Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition. Named a fter Dr. Aloysium “Alois” Alzheimer (1864–1915), a physician who in 1906 identified dementia in a woman who had passed away from an odd mental ailment, the condition was named in his honor. The research was subsequently published in a medical publication. This type of dementia was given the name Alzheimer’s disease in 1912.
Turmeric is a key component of reducing the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s, according to Dr. Dale Bredersen of UCLA and author of the 2017 book The End of Alzheimer’s. Its value has been demonstrated by numerous scientific studies. According to one research investigation, turmeric may help reduce the brain’s amyloid plaque buildup. It is thought that the accumulation of this substance in the brain is what causes Alzheimer’s disease.
According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, turmeric may be crucial in avoiding memory loss. Turmeric’s potential to fend off moderate cognitive impairment and, ultimately, Alzheimer’s disease has sparked a lot of interest. It should be regarded as a necessary complement for anyone hoping to improve their memory. I commonly recommend Turmeric to patients who are concerned about developing cognitive impairment or dementia.
Turmeric and Asthma
A common respiratory disorder affecting both children and adults is asthma. It is classified by doctors as a chronic, reversible obstructive airway disorder that responds to treatment with albuterol. Fortunately, asthma can be successfully treated, provided the underlying cause and condition is identified. Although we can manage the symptoms of asthma, it’s equally crucial to prevent episodes. It indicates that curcumin has a significant role.
When combined with licorice root and boswellia serrata, turmeric has been shown in a 2010 study to improve the management of bronchial asthma. The outcomes demonstrated improved antioxidant capabilities, a decrease in inflammation, and stronger prevention of excessive swelling and mucus production linked to asthma.
The results of a 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research suggested that taking turmeric by mouth could aid asthmatics with their lung function.
Studies suggest that turmeric may also be beneficial for the following conditions:
• Irritable colitis (colon inflammation)
• Lichen planus in the mouth
• Diabetes
• Blood pressure problems
• Gastritis brought on by the h. pylori bacteria
• Indigestion
• Gallstone prevention
• Bacterial illnesses
• The uveitis (eye inflammation)
• Heart disease and atherosclerosis
• Aids in eliminating mercury from the body
Turmeric Safety
Further research on the safety of turmeric consumption is necessary as it continues to garner significant attention as a form of medicine. One animal study on the toxicity of turmeric showed that there were no adverse effects on health when given to adult rats, guinea pigs, and monkeys for three weeks. It’s crucial to keep in mind that you could always find out that you have an allergy or food sensitivity when attempting new products for the first time.
Additionally, before attempting any new supplements, you should speak with your doctor because turmeric’s effects vary depending on the individual’s health. Please see your doctor to find out if consuming turmeric or its derivative, curcumin is the best option for you because of the possibility of interactions with your current drugs or interference with other medical objectives. Possible medication interactions include those listed below:
Using turmeric and diabetes drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. So, turmeric might lessen the need for diabetic medications.
Blood thinners and turmeric may interact. There may be a slight increase in the risk of bleeding when taking turmeric and medications like clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin). Before taking these together, talk to your doctor.
I have patients on blood thinners who take turmeric, and they have done well.
Suggested dosages
Many people use turmeric by brewing it into tea, using it as a powder to treat certain skin ailments, or taking it orally in the form of capsules. Typically, 500 mg of curcumin or 500 mg of turmeric supplements are taken daily or up to three times daily. I have some patients who take up to 2,000 mg daily and do well.
References:
Rachel Groff, Meghan Strom, Laura Hopkins, Lena Feng, Allison Hopkins and Janet Funk. Dietary Supplements and Nutritional Approaches Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Management April 2017. The FASEB Journal vol. 31 no. 1 Supplement lb396
Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2016;19(8):717–729.
Griffiths K, Aggarwal BB, Singh RB, Buttar HS, Wilson D, De Meester F. Food Antioxidants and Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Potential Role in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer Prevention. Battino M, ed. Diseases. 2016;4(3):28.
Shehzad, A. and Lee, Y. S. (2013), Molecular mechanisms of curcumin action: Signal transduction. BioFactors, 39: 27–36.
Ravindran J, Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin and Cancer Cells: How Many Ways Can Curry Kill Tumor Cells Selectively? The AAPS Journal. 2009;11(3):495–510.
Patil K, Guledgud MV, Kulkarni PK, Keshari D, Tayal S. Use of Curcumin Mouthrinse in Radio-Chemotherapy Induced Oral Mucositis Patients: A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR. 2015;9(8):ZC59-ZC62.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 797–811, 2017
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Houssen ME, Ragab A, Mesbah A, El-Samanoudy AZ, Othman G, Moustafa AF, Badria FA. Natural anti-inflammatory products and leukotriene inhibitors as complementary therapy for bronchial asthma. Clin Biochem. 2010 Jul;43(10–11):887–90.
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