Research suggests that taking turmeric extract could potentially reduce pain from osteoarthritis, though further study is still needed. Turmeric has antioxidant properties and one study shows that it may protect your body from free radicals by neutralizing them. With its ability to help reduce inflammation and oxidation, turmeric could lower the risk of heart disease. Studies show that turmeric may help reverse the heart disease process. In healthy middle-aged and older adults who took curcumin supplements for 12 weeks, resistance artery endothelial production — which plays a significant role in high blood pressure — was increased.
Another study followed people who had coronary artery bypass surgery. Turmeric also may be helpful when used along with medication for managing cholesterol levels.
Research shows that curcumin is safe and may protect those at risk for heart disease by lowering certain levels of cholesterol, though more study is needed to look at how much and what type is effective.
If you have depression, the protein known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF is reduced and your hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, starts to shrink. A study shows that curcumin can boost BDNF levels and may reverse changes. Another study shows that curcumin was just as effective as fluoxetine Prozac in lessening symptoms of depression. Curcumin may also increase levels of serotonin and dopamine — which are chemicals in your brain that regulate mood and other body functions.
Curcumin may affect cancer growth and development according to a few studies. For optimal absorption, try taking with heart-healthy fats like oils, avocado, nuts and seeds, she adds. While the risk of side effects is low and drug interactions are unlikely, stop taking turmeric if you notice ill effects. Turmeric may cause bloating, and there is a theoretical concern that it may interact with blood-clotting medications. Many people, including doctors , cite their own anecdotal experience with turmeric as a pain reliever.
The spice is reputed to relieve arthritis pain as well. Studies seem to support turmeric for pain relief, with one noting that it seemed to work as well as ibuprofen Advil in people with arthritis in their knees. Though dosing recommendations seem to vary, those who participated in the study took mg of turmeric in capsule form each day.
Turmeric has been getting attention recently because of its antioxidant abilities. The antioxidant effect of turmeric appears to be so powerful that it may stop your liver from being damaged by toxins. This could be good news for people who take strong drugs for diabetes or other health conditions that might hurt their liver with long-term use.
Curcumin shows promise as a cancer treatment. Studies suggest it has protective effects against pancreatic cancer , prostate cancer , and multiple myeloma. Part of the reason that turmeric is in curry powder is because it adds an element of deliciousness to food. But turmeric can also play an important role in digesting that food.
Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can contribute to healthy digestion. Now Western medicine has begun to study how turmeric can help with gut inflammation and gut permeability, two measures of your digestive efficiency.
Turmeric is even being explored as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. The same agents in turmeric that support digestive health can cause irritation when taken in large amounts.
Some participants in studies looking at the use of turmeric for cancer treatment had to drop out because their digestion was so negatively affected. Turmeric stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid. Other suggested benefits of turmeric, such as lowered cholesterol and lowered blood pressure , probably have something to do with the way turmeric functions in your blood. People who take blood-thinning drugs like warfarin Coumadin should avoid consuming large doses of turmeric. You may have heard that eating foods seasoned with curry can stimulate labor.
Studies comparing the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric against those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS have shown great promise. That said, we need more well-designed clinical trials to determine the efficacy of curcumin for arthritis patients, especially for those who rely on NSAIDS for the management of these conditions. Another active ingredient in turmeric is turmerone. Studies suggest that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin may protect against some of the steps involved in the development of heart disease, including improving cholesterol levels.
Interesting studies suggest curcumin may act as an immune modulator influencing important immune cells including T cells, B cells and Natural Killer cells. In addition to this, curcumin appears to down-regulate pro-inflammatory compounds called cytokines, the prolonged activity of which can lead to inflammatory damage.
When consumed at low doses, curcumin may also enhance our antibody responses, helping us fight off infection.
Animal studies suggest it may even play a role in controlling allergy, including hay-fever. For most of us turmeric is a safe option, however, there are some circumstances where caution is needed. There is still much to learn about the effects and interactions of turmeric; to date much of the evidence has been drawn from animal and in vitro studies with more research needed to evaluate its effects on human health.
If you are considering any major dietary changes or are thinking about taking supplements, please consult your GP or registered dietitian to ensure you do so without risk to your health. Jo Lewin works as a Community Nutritionist and private consultant.
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