Essential Takeaways
- Turmeric is considered one of the most effective immune system supplement in existence.
- Curcumin offers a lot of health benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-oxidant.
Used in India for over a thousand years as a spice and medicinal herb;
Turmeric may be the most effective immune system supplement in
existence.
In recent year’s science has backed up what the Indians have known,
and prove the existence of compounds with high medicinal properties
in Turmeric.
These compounds are called Curcuminoids the chief among them being
Curcumin.
Curcumin, however, is found in very trace quantities in Turmeric, only
around 3% by weight.
So to truly feel the effects of Curcumin, you need to take an extract that
contains significant amounts of the compound.
The effects of Curcumin cover a wide spectrum of the bodies overall
health.
Being a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, Curcumin if used
regularly is said to help prevent Heart Disease, Arthritis, and Cancer.
Some even say it can improve memory and make you smarter.
Curcumin as an anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is the body’s way of signaling its defenses when attacked
by foreign invaders; mainly stuff like a bacterium.
Acute (short-term) inflammation is beneficial, but it can become a
a major problem when the inflammation is chronic (long-term), and
inappropriately deployed against the body’s own tissue.
It is now believed that chronic inflammation plays a
several degenerative conditions like Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer's
etc.
Therefore anything that can help fight chronic inflammation is of
potential importance in the prevention and treatment of such diseases.
Curcumin blocks NF-kB, a molecule that travels in the nuclei of cells
which turns on genes related to inflammation.
So basically it is a bioactive substance that blocks chronic inflammation
at the molecular level.
Studies have shown Curcumin to have the potency of some anti-
inflammatory drugs, without any of the side effects.
Curcumin as an anti-oxidant
Oxidative damage is caused by Free Radicals, which are highly reactive
molecules with unpaired electrons.
Free Radicals tend to react with important organic substances like fatty
acids and proteins.
So this oxidative damage is said to be the major mechanism behind
aging and many other diseases.
Curcumin happens to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free
radicals due to its chemical structure.
It also boosts the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.
Hence Curcumin gives a double-blow effect against oxidation, by both
blocking Free Radicals, and also strengthening the body’s own anti-
oxidant capabilities.
Curcumin’s effect on the brain
Contrary to earlier belief, neurons are now known to continue
multiplying and create new connections in certain areas of the brain
post early childhood.
This is controlled by the Brain-Derived- Neurotrophic-Factor (BDNF), which
is a growth hormone that functions in the brain.
Many common brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and Depression have
been linked to the decrease in the production of this hormone.
Interestingly Curcumin promotes the production of BDNF, hence
becoming effective at delaying and even reversing many brain diseases,
and aging-related decreases in brain function.
There is even speculation that continued use can improve memory, and
even make you smarter. Which makes sense given what BDNF does.
Bottom Line
So we know now that the right amount of Curcumin can help keep a
check on inflammation, oxidative damage and even help maintain
healthy brain function.
Effectively nurturing and protecting all vital organs and the body’s
overall health and wellness.
But traditional methods of consumption, which is via consumption of
turmeric doesn’t really give the right therapeutic amounts of the
compound.
To truly feel the effects, you need a powerful extract containing
measured effective amounts.
Something like- https://www.curegarden.in/products/daily-defense
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About the author
Dr. Binu T Kuruvilla
Medical Practitioner
Dr. Binu T Kuruvilla is a Medical practitioner with a long experience working in multi-speciality hospitals in medical and oncology specialities before pursuing his passion for research and discoveries, Dr. Binu leads Arjuna and Curegardens research and new product development initiatives. He is keenly involved in protocol design, implementation and management of preclinical and human clinical trials, and works as co-investigator in various clinical trials. His area of expertise also pans collaborative research with both national and international universities and partners in oncology, cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, and in the management and publication of international peer-reviewed journals.
Essential Takeaways
- Turmeric is considered one of the most effective immune system supplement in existence.
- Curcumin offers a lot of health benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-oxidant.
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