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Curcumin
We usually find turmeric in grocery stores. People buy this yellow colour powder to have a fantastic colour and aroma on the dishes.
But do you know that it has remarkable health benefits? Turmeric contains curcumin which not only impacts the yellow color of the dish but also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
According to Ayurveda, curcumin can help treat arthritis, slow ageing, and even help treat cancer.
However, we recommend you consult a certified Ayurvedic doctor before taking curcumin or other herbal supplements to treat any health issue.
So, are you suffering from any health issues? If yes, book a free consultation on WhatsApp today at TAMRA AYURVEDA.
What is Curcumin?
Turmeric or Curcuma longa belongs to the ginger family Zingiberaceae. The plant grows up to a height of 3 feet and grows widely in India and many parts of Southeast Asia. It requires temperatures of approximately 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and annual rainfall for proper cultivation.
The cultivators boil the rhizome, dry it, and then grind it to form a yellow-orange powder known as turmeric powder. Whenever you add this powder to any dish, it imparts an excellent aroma.
The rhizome of turmeric usually consists of three curcuminoids, i.e., curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, and bis-desmethoxycurcumin, which give turmeric a yellow colour. But curcumin is the most active curcuminoid and has remarkable health benefits.
Research shows curcumin can reduce inflammation and arthritis, improve memory, and treat cancer. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that can slow ageing and reduce depression.
Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed in our bodies. The reason is mainly because our digestive system has a watery environment, and curcumin is significantly less soluble in water.
Again, the small percentage of curcumin absorbed by the body breaks down rapidly because of the digestive enzymes in our intestine, stomach, and liver.
These factors are primarily responsible for the minimal curcumin safe for our bodies.
However, you can increase the bioavailability of the curcumin in two ways.
- It binds with the fats very well. So you can cook turmeric curcumin anti-inflammatory with oil or ghee to reap curcumin benefits.
- You can consume curcumin along with black pepper. The black pepper comprises piperine which can slow down curcumin breakdown in your gut. Research done in rats and humans shows that piperine usage can increase curcumin's bioavailability.
Main Benefits Of Curcumin
Turmeric is widely used in Indian curries to impart flavour and colour. But the yellow powder, available in almost all grocery stores, has remarkable health benefits. Some of the health benefits are below.
- Reduce inflammation
Inflammation is a natural biological process your body initiates to fight against diseases. However, chronic inflammation can weaken your immune system. It can adversely affect your joints and many other body parts and even decrease sleep quality.
So, is turmeric curcumin an anti-inflammatory? Yes, turmeric can help to lower the inflammation. Curcumin's anti-inflammatory mechanism can help to improve the symptoms of various diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, Psoriasis and atherosclerosis.
Researchers did a study with patients who have Ulcerative colitis. The patients who took 2 grams of anti-inflammatory curcumin and the medicines prescribed by the doctor recovered faster than those who took only the prescribed medications.
Various studies say that curcumin anti-inflammatory dosage should range from 500 to 2000 milligrams per day. The actual dosage will depend on the exact health condition you want to treat.
- Reduces The Risk Of Chronic Disease
The anti-inflammatory curcumin helps to increase the antioxidant levels in your body. The antioxidants can help in damaging the free radicals inside your body.
Free radicals are unstable atoms which can severely damage your cells and cause various chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. They form by exposure to pollution, smoking, industrial chemicals and X-rays.
- Skin Disease Treatment
The anti-inflammatory curcumin can help to bring a shine to your skin. It brings a natural glow to your skin. Apart from that, curcumin can help heal wounds quickly.
There are various studies which say that anti-inflammatory curcumin has a positive impact on your tissue and collagen. It even helps treat Psoriasis and reduces acne and pores on your face.
Another study says that combining anti-inflammatory curcumin with neem can help treat scabies.
- Reduces Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis is a common problem faced by most of the people above 50 years old. It is a disease that causes damage to the joints.
Joints are the place where two bones meet each other. Unfortunately, certain joints can naturally wear and tear with age. However, certain health conditions can be the reason for joint damage.
There are usually two types of arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
It damages any joint in your body including hips, knees and spine.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Your immune system mistakenly attacks your body's healthy tissues and joints like the spine, feet and hands.
The anti-inflammatory curcumin can help reduce swelling, redness, joint pain, and stiffness.
Scientists did Research on people suffering from osteoarthritis. The results showed that curcumin can help relieve more pain than placebo. Research even said that the effect of curcumin is quite similar to anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Improves Brain Health
The BDNF gene provides instructions to make a protein in the brain known as a brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). It plays a vital role in memory and learning. However, decreased levels of this protein can cause Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
The Research on human beings showed that curcumin supplements could help increase BDNF protein and reduce the risk of brain-related diseases.
- Reduces The Risk Of Heart Diseases
Heart disease is one of the significant reasons which causes the death of many people around the world. However, curcumin can help to improve the endothelial function of the heart.
Scientists did a study on type 2 diabetic patients. It showed that taking curcumin supplements, like the medicine atorvastatin, usually prescribed for lessening the risk of stroke or any heart problems, improved the endothelial function in these patients.
- Inhibit Cancer Cells
Cancer is a leading cause of many people in India. It is caused when abnormal cells grow in a region. They spread and harm the nearby tissues of your body.
The anti-inflammatory curcumin can help to treat cancer. Studies show that curcumin can help cause the death of cancerous cells and reduce metastasis. Even researchers have researched curcumin, which can prevent cancer, especially in the digestive system.
Use Of Curcumin
Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice known for imparting flavour, colour and nutrition to any cuisine. It contains a compound called curcumin, which is highly beneficial for health. We have listed below a few creative ways how to use curcumin:
1. Promote Sleep
You can boil two cups of milk and one tablespoon of turmeric powder. Switch off the flame after a few minutes.
You can then allow it to cool and then drink the milk. Well, if you are drinking the golden milk just before bed, you can take one-half tablespoon each of nutmeg powder, cinnamon powder and cardamom powder. It will help in promoting a good night's sleep.
2. Use As Cold Buster
You can add one part of curcumin with three parts of honey. You can have this mixture within a gap of three to four hours to boost your immunity and decrease inflammation when you have a cold and cough.
3. Use It As A Spice
Curcumin is used as a spice in most parts of South East Asia. Indian people love to add curcumin to most cuisines as it gives a pleasant smell and colour.
4. Use It To Cleanse Liver
Have a glass of turmeric water and black pepper to cleanse your liver.
5. Whitens Teeth
You can take curcumin, small amounts of baking soda, and salt to whiten and brighten your teeth.
6. Relieve From Headache
Turmeric tea can give you immediate relief from migraine or headaches. Simultaneously, it can help boost your immune levels.
You can boil two cups of water with two tablespoons of turmeric powder. Simmer for a few minutes and then strain it. You can drink turmeric tea hot or cold. Add honey to enhance its taste.
Curcumin Supplements
Curcumin supplements are the best choice for individuals who want to reap maximum benefits from turmeric.
These supplements have unique formulations so that your body can absorb them properly. They contain more curcumin than the regular turmeric powder available on the market.
Scientists divided 206 people into three groups. They gave one group curcumin supplements, the second group 20mg of Omeprazole medication once a day, and the third group curcumin supplements and omeprazole.
The results after one month showed that dyspepsia had improved in all three groups, and the curcumin supplement was as effective in treating the disease as omeprazole medication.
Again, some curcumin supplements available in the market have fatty compounds. These will help in absorbing curcumin properly in your body.
Tamra Ayurveda offers a curcumin capsule that comprises nano curcumin. It means the curcumin has been converted into nano or tiny particles so your body can adequately absorb it.
So, this product is more potent than other brands of curcumin tablets available in the market. You need to take a capsule of curcumin twice a day for effective results.
The doctor recommends taking these tablets in the morning and evening only after meals and continuing them for almost 4-6 weeks to see remarkable results.
Nano curcumin helps to improve bioavailability by almost five times compared to regular curcumin powder, which is highly impressive. It disperses well in water, so solubility increases approximately a thousand times compared to conventional curcumin.
These supplements will boost your immunity levels, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels and regularize menstruation in women. It even strengthens your joints and promotes healthy functions of the lungs and heart.
Side Effects Of Curcumin
Curcumin supplements are safe for most people. Scientists did a study on ten adults who took 490 mg of curcumin daily and the results revealed that it had almost no side effects.
But remember curcumin can reduce iron absorption in your body. So curcumin supplements should not be taken by breastfeeding or pregnant women. Again, certain people may experience mild side effects after taking a high dosage of curcumin.
1. Digestive Problems
Individuals can have digestive problems like bloating or acid reflux after taking a high amount of curcumin.
2. Headache And Nausea
Some people may have headaches or nausea after taking more than 450mg of curcumin.
3. Skin Rashes
Some people experience skin rashes after taking more than 8000 mg of curcumin. But it is very rare.
Again, if you take any medications, you must consult a doctor before taking curcumin supplements. These supplements may react with certain drugs and can cause adverse effects. For instance, it can inhibit the action of anticancer drugs that patients take during chemotherapy. So, if you are taking chemotherapy then consult your doctor before taking curcumin supplements.
Individuals with liver problems should not take curcumin capsules as it can increase bile production in the body. Diabetic patients should also avoid taking these capsules as they can drop their blood sugar levels significantly. Curcumin supplements are high in oxalate. Hence, it can bind with calcium in your body and cause kidney stones.
So, high dosages of curcumin capsules for the long term are usually not recommended because Research has yet to confirm their safety for human beings.
World Health Organization has recommended that taking 1.4mg of curcumin supplements per pound of your body weight for the short term will not cause any adverse effects on your body.
Remember all herbal supplements including anti-inflammatory curcumin capsules should be taken with caution. You should always notify your healthcare provider before taking curcumin capsules.
Tamra Ayurveda offers curcumin capsules which can be highly beneficial for your health. You can call or drop a message at +918059521105 if you have any queries regarding these capsules.