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NSIDE Are Traditions a Bad Thing? ....................... page 1 3 Family Activities for Thanksgiving........... page 2 Testimonials ................................................. page 2 How to Handle Presumption of Abuse......... page 3 Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes .............. page 3 The Secrets of Turmeric............................... page 4
THE SECRETS OF THE YELLOW SPICE The Truth About Turmeric
For thousands of years, turmeric has been a staple in curries and a spice renowned for its ability to treat a vast number of ailments. When dried and powdered, the turmeric plant turns a distinctive sunny yellow. Native to Southeast Asia, in recent years, turmeric has become a sort of “spice-of-all-trades.” Throughout North America, people are adding turmeric to various foods and using it to treat everything from arthritis to heartburn. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the spice can treat just about every kind of inflammation in the body, whether it’s joint pain or a headache. Have a stomachache or nausea? Try turmeric. Have a mild rash or burn on your skin? Try turmeric. There are even a number of current studies looking into the effectiveness of turmeric as a treatment option for those with diabetes and dementia.
When one substance is purported to have near-magical healing powers, you have to remember to take it with an additional dose of skepticism. Can one spice really cure everything that ails you? Let’s ask science. Researchers have identified over 20 distinct compounds that work similar to NSAIDs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen). Of those compounds, six are COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 is an enzyme that causes inflammation and pain in the body. In short, these six compounds help block the enzymatic reaction that triggers inflammation. One of these compounds is called curcumin, which is often considered the active ingredient in turmeric. An article published in the medical journal Nutrition and Cancer found that, by weight, pure turmeric powder contains 3.14 percent curcumin.
However, clinical trials of curcumin have produced less-than-stellar results. A comprehensive review of 120 studies of curcumin, published in 2017 in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, found no evidence that the compound produced positive results as an anti-inflammatory or antioxidant. In fact, researchers found curcumin to be an, “unstable, reactive, non-bioavailable compound.” What does this mean for people who use turmeric for its medicinal properties? If it works for you, continue to use it. If you’ve thought about adding it to your diet, give it a try. It’s safe to use and studies have shown virtually no toxicity, even in high doses.
4. www.matthewdunaway.com
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