Origins, description and composition of turmeric
Contents
- Origins, description and composition of turmeric
- A spice with many benefits
- Helps to lower blood pressure
- Powerful antioxidant
- It can carry out a preventive action on cancer cells
- Beneficial action on skin, scars, and wounds
- About Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases
- Precautions to take when using turmeric
- When to avoid turmeric supplements altogether
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) explains that turmeric is “a plant related to ginger” found in Asia, Central America and India. Inside the turmeric plant there are curcuminoids, which are the active compounds of this substance, and that is why we often hear about curcumin and turmeric interchangeably.
Historically used for a variety of medical purposes, turmeric supplements are generally suggested to prevent and / or treat diseases related to arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, cancer and other health problems.
But turmeric can also be integrated into the diet, as it is used to flavor many dishes and dishes, including soups and legumes. It is one of the main ingredients of curry and is responsible for its yellowish color.
Turmeric is part of a family of super foods, along with chia seeds, goji berries, and Spirulina, to name a few. A spice with many benefits
Turmeric is a very rich herb, and contains an infinite number of nutrients including calcium, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, fiber, iron, potassium and zinc, niacin.
But the active compound that has attracted the attention of scientists, supplement industries and food technologists is curcumin, precisely because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The absorption of curcumin from turmeric increases up to 2000 times thanks to pepper, a compound found in black pepper. Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Often referred to as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure usually has no symptoms and develops slowly over time. If left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and even heart failure.
However, turmeric has been said to help lower blood pressure. This is because curcumin improves the function of endothelial cells (the lining of blood vessels and the heart).
Endothelial cells are essential for regulating blood pressure, as they help expand and contract vessels to keep the heart functioning, therefore by helping to keep these cells functioning normally, blood pressure can be reduced. Powerful Antioxidant
Antioxidant is a common word, but what exactly is an antioxidant and how it can benefit your health
Let’s start from the beginning.
Free radicals are unstable atoms looking for other molecules to bond with. However, a large number of free radicals can cause oxidative stress in the body, which can lead to:
– Hair loss;
– Premature aging of the skin;
-Diabetes;
-Rheumatoid arthritis;
-Cardiovascular diseases.
There is a solution to these problems: antioxidants.
Antioxidants are powerful chemicals that can help fight free radicals and reduce the impact they have on the body. They are found in large quantities in turmeric, as well as other foods such as berries, pomegranate and carrots, to name a few.
Therefore, including these antioxidant-rich foods in your diet can help ward off a wide variety of problems, from wrinkles to cardiovascular disease. It can carry out a preventive action on cancer cells
It seems that turmeric can slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Turmeric is often used to have benefits on cancers, as there is some evidence that curcumin can destroy some cancer cells and prevent new ones from forming, especially in breast, bowel, stomach and cancer. skin. But that, of course, doesn’t mean it could make the body heal the tumor. It can be integrated into one’s diet as an additional aid, but it is not a solution for this type of disease.
Research has shown that cancer rates are lowest in countries where people consume a diet rich in curcumin, around 100mg – 200mg per day. While more research is needed in this area, the studies conducted have shown promising results.Beneficial action on the skin, scars, and wounds
Turmeric is excellent for preserving the well-being of the skin. Precisely for this reason we often find turmeric as an ingredient in skin care products. It is now renowned in this industry, and has been used as a skin treatment for centuries, especially in India.
It is said to be particularly useful for those suffering from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and helps control hot flashes and skin rashes. Additionally, curcumin can help to:
- Promote wound healing;
- Reduces irritation;
- Gives the skin a natural luminosity;
- Reduces dark circles;
- Fights free radical damage to the skin;
- Improve acne scars.
So whether you add a pinch of turmeric to your diet every day, or use a DIY turmeric face mask, your skin is sure to thank you. About Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases
There is a growth hormone in the brain called brain neurotrophic factor.
Decreasing levels of this hormone have been linked to several brain disorders, including depression, anxiety and even Alzheimer’s disease. But how can turmeric be relevant in all of this
Well, studies have shown that curcumin may be able to increase brain neutrophic factor levels within the brain, reducing the risk of a number of mental health problems, degenerative brain diseases and improving overall brain function. .
So whether you’re just looking to improve your memory, or potentially reduce your risk of degenerative brain disease, including turmeric in your diet could be the way to go. Precautions to take when using turmeric
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) argues that taking high doses of turmeric for long periods can hurt more than help. In particular, they can irritate the digestive system and, “in extreme cases,” perhaps even cause an ulcer; but this obviously depends on how much you go overboard.
Additionally, individuals with gallstones, blocked biliary passages, or diabetes should consult their doctors before taking turmeric supplements. The same is true for those taking the following medications, as turmeric can strengthen or otherwise interfere with their effects:
- Anticoagulants such as Coumadin, Plavix, or even aspirin, as turmeric also acts as a blood thinner. For this reason, it would be best to stop taking turmeric a couple of weeks before any type of surgical procedure so that you can undergo the treatment safely, and without the risk of bleeding that cannot be stopped.
- Stomach acid reducers such as Pepcid, Zantac, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, and Tagamet because turmeric can actually have the opposite effect when combined with these drugs, increasing stomach acid production instead of decreasing it.
- Medicines for diabetes, because turmeric increases the effectiveness of these medications, putting you at risk of low blood sugar, a condition called hypoglycemia.
When to avoid turmeric supplements altogether
Some people shouldn’t take turmeric supplements according to the UMMC. This includes women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, although eating foods with turmeric is considered safe in these conditions.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center adds that you should also avoid taking turmeric supplements if you are taking chemotherapy drugs, as lab experiments have shown it can make them ineffective. And if you plan to undergo any type of test involving the use of dyes, you will need to stay away from turmeric even then, as it can interfere with the results.
