Turmeric is the bright yellow spice that has been recognized for its medicinal properties for 4500 years. Recently, turmeric has been touted as a super food that can fight cancer, ease depression, and reduce inflammation.
Curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric, is PACKED with health benefits that have long been shown to demonstrate healing activity directly at the cellular level, including powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
With so many benefits – and so few side effects – everyone should find ways to boost their turmeric/curcumin intake!
5 Natural Health Benefits of Curcumin
1. Curcumin is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Curcumin may be the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds in the world. Chronic, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every disease process, including heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune conditions. Curcumin has been shown to reduce inflammation by blocking the effects of two enzymes in the body which lead to inflammation. One scientific study found that curcumin can be as effective as some over-the-counter drugs, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, in bringing down inflammation in the body – without the side effects
2. Curcumin is a Powerful Antioxidant
Oxidative damage is at the core of the aging process and play a part in diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with free radicals due to chronic stress and lack of sleep as well as all the chemicals in our food, personal care products, and environment. Curcumin reduces oxidative damage by both scavenging free radicals and also boosting your body’s own antioxidant mechanisms.
3. Curcumin Reduces Joint Pain (especially Arthritis)
Curcumin can positively benefit joint health and help reduce inflammation and swelling. In particular, it can reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness related to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It has been shown to be most effective when taken before symptoms kick in as a preventive measure to keep your joints healthy, pain-free, and mobile.
A recent study showed curcumin to improve arthritis symptoms more effectively than diclofenac sodium (a common arthritis drug).
4. Curcumin Promotes Heart Health
Curcumin helps to support your heart health in several important ways:
- It inhibits the inflammatory pathways which are involved in the inflammatory reactions that can lead to heart disease.
- It supports endothelial cells that line your heart and blood vessel walls. It helps these cells to release nitric oxide which improves circulation.
- It helps reduce excess platelet aggregate that occurs in sticky clot-forming blood, important for supporting healthy blood flow and healthy blood pressure.
5. Curcumin Has Been Shown To Improve Mood and Depression
Antioxidants like curcumin are being shown to help relieve symptoms of depression by fighting chronic inflammation. It appears that curcumin may impact neurotransmitter function through the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Research is currently being done to further understand the exact process, but curcumin appears to be a safe and effective natural treatment option for depression and mood support.
What Are The Best Sources of Curcumin?
While turmeric is a tasty and healthy addition to many recipes, the food source only contains about 3 percent absorbable curcumin. In order to reap the many health benefits of curcumin, it is advisable to take curcumin in a supplement form as well.
Be sure to select a turmeric or curcumin supplement with at least 95% concentrated curcuminoids. It is also important to choose a product with added black pepper for optimal absorption.
Our Wellness Team recommends pharmaceutical-grade Turmero-XL Active as one of the highest-quality and most optimally absorbed curcumin supplements.
Contact our team with questions about any of our supplements – 512-351-9139.
