Curcumin is an active ingredient found in turmeric. Tumeric is a popular spice used in Indian cooking food that gives food a deep yellow-colored color. A pinch of this spice added to a cup of milk is known to provide relief from pains, aches, common cold, and coughs. In the last few years, medical researchers have developed an interest in the medical benefits of this wonder spice with preliminary research indicating that it can be beneficial in stopping and controlling a number of health conditions.
Its Health Benefits
Researchers have been able to show that the daily consumption of curcumin has numerous benefits ranging from retaining away some of the problems associated with aging to treatmenting other life-threatening ailments. These advantages include:
May Help Avert Cancer
Of course, the most significant benefit of curcumin is its ability to help stave off the growth of cancer. A study conducted on animals showed that a dose of curcumin each day was able to stop skin, colon and breasts cancer. This can possibly be due to its de-oxidizing properties that struggle free radicals which is a main cause of cancer advancement. Whether the same effect can be replicated on human beings is, however, yet to be discovered.
Effective in Handling Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
In Eastern Asia, turmeric has always been used to remedy the pain that results from the different varieties of arthritis. It was administered through topical software as well as ingestion. Curcumin controls the inflammation caused by osteoarthritis because it has sturdy anti-inflammatory properties.
Boosts Immune System
Turmeric has often been very effective in taking care of coughs and common cold. This is due to the fact it includes curcumin in abundance, a compound that has great antioxidant properties that also increases the strength of our immune systems making us less prone to illnesses.
Lowers Cholesterol
Another great advantage of curcumin lies in its ability to lower the ‘bad’ cholesterol while increasing the ‘good’ cholesterol. This goes a long way in preventing problems such as chronic heart illnesses and high blood pressure. It can equally help prevent the enhancement of atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries harden and then cause heart problems.
May Help Stop Alzheimer’s Illness
There is an ongoing research about the possibility of curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties being effective in staving off or delaying the enhancement of Alzheimer’s illness. There is also a school of thought to the effect that regular consumption of curcumin may delay the growth of a number of other neurological illnesses.
Controls Diabetes
Studies done on diabetic animals have shown that there was a considerable discount of the significant diabetes signs or symptoms in them over a short period of time. Other benefits of curcumin include:
It aids in the detoxification of the liver by clearing it of harmful toxins that may be due to aspects such as excessive alcohol consumption, ingestion of specific medicines and chemical poisoning.
Since it triggers an increase in bile production, it can cure problems of acute indigestion.
May help improve kidney functioning, and also avoids the enhancement of kidney illnesses.
Side Effects
It has no main side effects save for the few complications when consumed in extra, such as heartburn and increased amount of heat in the body.
Curcumin can be taken in its natural form, as turmeric, or via the many supplements available in the marketplace. The supplements may be the better option due to the fact curcumin derived from organic foods may not be sufficient to provide all aforementioned benefits. It still however remains one of the best herbal remedies for common health conditions that afflict humanity.
Curcumin and Turmeric 