Revisiting The Benefits Of Turmeric

“If I had only one single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs, I would without much hesitation choose Turmeric.” That’s a pretty strong endorsement for a humble herb and it comes from Dr. David Frawley, Founder of the American Institute for Vedic Studies.

Not just adding flavour…

If you are a regular reader of our daily alerts, you will know that we place a lot of emphasis on eating as much unprocessed, organically grown food as possible for your optimal health – good health starts with a good diet. One interesting way that many people overlook on improving their health is by using unprocessed, organic herbs and spices.

Most herbs and spices add virtually no calories to your diet and you will find that herbs and spices enhance your entire body, and don’t just focus on one particular area. It’s what I would call “whole-health” benefits.

Herbs and spices also contain healthy vitamins and minerals, they are also thermogenic meaning they naturally increase your metabolism to help you burn calories and they increase your overall feeling of fullness and satiety. Studies have shown that by consuming certain herbs and spices before each meal one can potentially reduce ones calorie intake. Last but not least, herbs and spices can help boost and enhance your overall wellbeing with antioxidants that can be more potent than many fruits and vegetables.

Turmeric to the rescue

Relative of the Ginger plant, the Turmeric plant is used to treat a number of medical disorders, including digestive disorders, liver problems, and skin diseases. It has also been proven effective in stimulating improvement in bile flow, making it very beneficial for people suffering from both digestive and gall bladder problems.

As a medical preparation, it is used for curing digestive disorders – helping to break down fats during the digestion process. It also has been proven useful for stomach problems ranging from gastritis to stomach problems caused by stress or alcohol. It is also said to be very effective in treatment for inflammations caused by osteoarthritis and for helping to unclog arteries partially blocked by atherosclerosis. Its use in breaking down saturated facts in cholesterol is becoming well accepted. Turmeric’s effectiveness against cancer and liver disease is being studied as well.

The power of Curcumin

It is only in recent years that researchers have increasingly recognized the medicinal properties of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, “Common Indian Spice Stirs Hope,” research activity into Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is exploding. Two hundred and fifty-six Curcumin papers were published in the past year according to a search of the US National Library of Medicine.

Curcumin can potentially benefit you by:

• Promoting your immune system against stress
• Helping maintain a healthy digestive system
• Supporting healthy bones, joints, and overall skeletal system
• Helping maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range
• Promoting healthy blood and liver functions

Antioxidant power

The antioxidant content within turmeric comes from active compounds called curcuminoids.

These curcuminoids deliver antioxidants that may be:

• 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamin E – and also stronger than vitamin C
• 3 times more powerful than grape seed or pine bark extract
• Strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical – considered by many to be the most reactive of all oxidants

Antioxidants are your body’s number 1 defence against free radicals and help to potentially slow down the signs of normal ageing. Oxidation by free radicals can damage cells and DNA – impacting the ageing process – something we all would like to put the brakes on.

Antioxidants are also key nutrients in:

• Supporting memory function
• Promoting heart health
• Boosting immune system

Because of Turmeric’s antioxidant power it has been considered to be ??skin food’ for thousands of years in India and other cultures.

Turmeric helps:

• Cleanse the skin and maintain its elasticity
• Provide nourishment to the skin
• Balance the effects of skin flora (microorganisms living on the skin)

How to source Turmeric

This is the tricky part because if you want the best for your body and reap the most benefits, you want to buy the best.

Ideally you should look for a high-quality, 100 per cent organic-based turmeric supplement. However, there are some things you need to watch out for when choosing a turmeric supplement:

• Contains only 100 per cent certified organic ingredients: Turmeric extract with at least 95 per cent curcuminoids
• Comes in supplement form: Don’t rely on your typically low quality and unpredictable local grocery store spice. Additionally when you heat the spice during cooking many of the beneficial properties are lost.
• Avoids fillers, additives, and excipients: No need for questionable “other ingredients” in the formula
• Provides a vegetable capsule: Avoid gelatine-based capsules whenever possible
• Is produced by a certified organic manufacturer with high-quality organic and safe production practices

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Bear in mind all the material in this email alert is provided for information purposes only. We are not addressing anyone?s personal situation. Please consult with your own physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.

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Sources:

Turmeric Formula published online, organicindiausa.com

Turmeric published online, organicindia.com

Are You Ready to Add More Spice to Your Life and Your Health? by Dr. Mercola, published online 30.07.09, organicindia.mercola.com