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T he T ruth A bout T urmeric

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 often considered

The Secrets of the Yellow Spice

For thousands of years, turmeric has been both a staple spice in curries, as well as a spice renowned for its ability to treat a vast number of ailments. Known for its warm and bright yellow color when dried and powdered, the turmeric plant is native to a Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. It’s become a genuine “spice-of-all-trades.” In recent years, turmeric’s popularity has spiked throughout North America. People are adding it to food 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. With such a long list of ailments turmeric is purported to treat, you have to remember to take it with an additional dose of skepticism. Can one spice really treat all of these things?

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, with this in mind, 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. Results pointed to the opposite and 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.

Let’s take a look at what the research has said. As an anti- inflammatory, researchers have found over 20 distinct compounds

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