HEALTH REPORT
Golden glow
T urmeric is more than just the spice that gives curry its distinctive colour; over 2,000 studies have now been published on its potent health benefits. No pantry is complete without turmeric – but don’t stop there. This vibrant yellow spice has long been a staple remedy in Ayurveda, the ancient health care system practised in India for at least 5,000 years. Today, modern science is bearing out turmeric’s traditional use in the treatment of arthritis, eczema, asthma, psoriasis, infections, and a host of other inflammatory conditions. Nor is turmeric just another passing health fad. A wealth of research studies has demonstrated that the three curcuminoids (curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bis- esmethoxycurcumin) present in turmeric have powerful anti-inflammatory activity in the human body. To make matters a little simpler, these three curcuminoids are collectively referred to as curcumin.
However, even though curcumin is the principal bioactive ingredient in turmeric, the raw spice only contains about three to four per cent curcumin, so if you are looking for optimal health benefits it makes more sense to take a concentrated curcumin extract. Here’s why you might benefit from taking a supplement.
Help defeat depression: Curcumin has been found to have antidepressant qualities. It acts by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain – it is widely thought that lack of serotonin causes depression, while dopamine has been shown to havemore of amotivational effect on the brain. Reduce diabetes risk: Research shows that supplementation with curcumin may help to slow the progression of insulin resistance to diabetes, via curcumin’s anti- inflammatory action. Avoid Alzheimer’s: A low incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in India might be attributed to many factors – but is it mere coincidence that turmeric is so widely used in Indian cooking? Growing clinical evidence also suggests that curcumin may protect against the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Love your heart: High cholesterol and triglycerides are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, several studies now show that supplementation with curcumin may help to reduce both serum cholesterol and triglycerides,
Ease arthritis: Curcumin’s powerful anti- inflammatory properties are multi-faceted
Curcumin is an antioxidant superstar – studies show it is at least 10 times more active than vitamin E.
and they work on various levels to reduce inflammation. Clinical trials have shown that osteoarthritis patients receiving 1,200 mg curcumin for 14 days reported improved mobility and up to 50 per cent less pain.
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ISSUE 53 • 2019
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