If you are familiar with the amazing health benefits of turmeric, then you must already know that curcumin is the key element that helps bring the most benefits. In fact, it is the most effective supplement that patients with moderate to chronic inflammation should be taking. There are many curcumin benefits since it is used both as a preventive and corrective measure to reduce various inflammation-induced diseases such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), arthritis, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, etc.
There are plenty of researches and studies to affirm the efficacy and benefits of curcumin as amongst the most effective supplements in treating a lot of health conditions in the entire human body.
If you are wondering what curcumin is, or whether it will be helpful in reducing your specific type of inflammation, or how much to ingest it to reduce inflammation, stay tuned!
Curcumin and inflammation
Curcumin is the major active ingredient in turmeric and is a supplement in use for ages in medicine and Ayurveda. The medicinal benefits of curcumin are more than its anti-inflammatory properties since the herb is antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antispasmodic, and hepatoprotective. This is possibly the best supplement you can stick to, to reap the many benefits it offers.
Inflammation is the natural protective response of the immune system to harmful stimuli such as injury, infection, bacteria, and viruses. However, the inflammation can be mild or turn out to be chronic if it persists for a long time. The long persisted inflammation oftentimes results in a number of severe diseases such as hepatitis, arthritis, or even cancer. The signs and symptoms of inflammation include swelling, redness, chills, fatigue, pain, fever, and dysfunction in any organ.
Since inflammation is the condition from which various diseases originate, it is the main focus to treat using various medicines and drugs. NSAID drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and diclofenac are the most commonly used cure for inflammation. These medicines aid in alleviating the inflammation symptoms but the relief often comes with side effects. Continuous use of NSAIDs can lead to side effects such as ulcers, kidney dysfunction, headaches, heartburn, and other harmful allergic reactions.
So the possible solution to fight inflammation is to find a substitute for these drugs that do not cause any side effects and at the same time offer the needed anti-inflammatory qualities to reduce inflammation.
Curcumin tablets are one such magical supplement that is packed with incredible anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation activity in the body. It is a polyphenol found in turmeric that has proven to be highly effective to treat a wide range of inflammatory conditions.
Read More: Curcumin for Arthritis: Is It Really Helpful?
How does curcumin help fight inflammation?
Inflammation is not a condition to be scared of since it is the natural response of the body to keep the viruses and infections at bay. The condition complicates only when it becomes chronic and uncontrollable. Chronic inflammation can increase like wildfire and result in a ton of intricate diseases.
Curcumin is an effective supplement for fighting inflammation and it works by targeting a molecule or transcription factor called NF-kB (Nuclear Factor kappa B). This molecule helps in regulating immune functions and is the main mediator of inflammatory responses. Curcumin halts the NF-kB pathway since the molecule is considered to be the cause of various severe diseases. Therefore, curcumin is one of the best supplements and tools to break the inflammatory patterns in the body.
Curcumin benefits also include targeting and blocking other inflammatory pathways and mediators such as cytokines, prostaglandins, COX enzymes, etc. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin activate and accelerate the function of PPAR-γ (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma), which are transcription factors that imitate the expression of inflammatory mediators. This leads to a reduction in inflammation, unlike the expression of other inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α which increases inflammation.
Types of inflammatory conditions that curcumin helps heal
Arthritis
Arthritis is the most common condition that originates from chronic inflammation. In fact, inflammation is the key cause that plays a role in the formation of severe arthritis conditions mainly rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In arthritis, there is joint inflammation, deformation, stiffness, and deterioration of the bone. Curcumin supplement damages the cytokines and enzymes that lead to inflammation. It inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukins, nitric oxide, and prostaglandin that decreases inflammation and protects against the deterioration of bone cells.
Heart diseases
Curcumin offers amazing anti-inflammatory benefits for treating different cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, etc. The arteries thicken as a result of white blood cells accumulation, which further results in severe heart conditions. The increased white blood cells enhance the inflammatory responses that are also a cause of various cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation also promotes the growth of plaques and blood clots in the arteries.
Curcumin inhibits the expression of transcription factor NF-kB that aids in reducing inflammation by reducing the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine in the body.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis or liver inflammation is a condition that occurs as a result of infection or the side-effect caused by excessive consumption of drugs or medicines. The progressing inflammation in the liver also results in cirrhosis and liver fibrosis. Inflamed liver increase in size and can further lead to other severe diseases. Inflammation in the liver harms the liver cells and causes them to die, which can eventually lead to liver failure in some cases.
Curcumin tablets imitate the expression of the TNF-α pathway- a transcription factor that regulates inflammatory responses, which in turn decelerates and prevents the progression of hepatitis disease. It also helps in lowering the levels of inflammatory molecules such as IL-6 (Interleukin-6) which is a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the type of inflammatory condition that happens as a result of dysfunction of the digestive system. In this, inflammation severely damages the digestive tract, colon, and rectum. This type of inflammation is often triggered by the immune response and the inflammatory mediators that play the key part in forming this condition are NF-kB, TNF-α, Cox-2, etc.
Curcumin has proven to be extremely beneficial in fighting IBD because of its ability to exhibit the expression of the inflammatory mediators and transcription factors like NF-kB and TNF-α, which ultimately results in reducing inflammation. The intense anti-inflammatory activity and other curcumin benefits is the reason that it helps in the treatment of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
Diabetes
In diabetes, the blood glucose levels become extremely high or too low due to insulin resistance in the body. Inflammation is also a major contributing factor to insulin resistance which slows down glucose metabolism. Targeting the inflammatory mediators is again a solution here to prevent insulin resistance and other complications that may happen such as cardiovascular diseases.
Benefits of curcumin aids in targeting this inflammation by decreasing or blocking the inflammatory activity of pro-inflammatory molecules such as TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, etc. An increase of these inflammatory factors in the blood as an inflammatory response is one of the main causes of high glucose levels.
Read More: Turmeric vs Curcumin: What’s the Main Difference?
How to take curcumin for reducing inflammation?
There is no specific curcumin dosage to treat inflammation since it depends on the severity of the inflammation condition of the patient. However, 1000 mg to 1500 mg is considered the ideal dose of curcumin tablets for curing all types of inflammation. This range or dosage of curcumin has proven to be effective in treating even the most intricate type of inflammation.
Also, to experience the maximum results and curcumin benefits it is important to take a curcumin supplement that also contains Bioperine. This combination increases the absorbability of the supplement manifold and thus, speeds up the process of preventing and reducing inflammation. You can start by taking a 500 mg curcumin dose and increase it gradually as you observe the benefits. It is crucial that you buy the best quality and certified curcumin supplement from a well-known supplier.
Conclusion
Curcumin tablets are the best remedy to cure any kind of inflammation without worrying about the side effects. However, it is crucial to get the superior quality of curcumin supplements with high bioavailability. Curcumin+ is one such supplement available in the market that can help greatly reduce inflammation. It has Bioperine that increases the bioavailability of the supplement and makes it absorbable by the body.
