{"id":641,"date":"2017-06-09T06:59:15","date_gmt":"2017-06-09T06:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=641"},"modified":"2021-03-10T21:09:32","modified_gmt":"2021-03-10T21:09:32","slug":"11-ways-turmeric-can-improve-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/11-ways-turmeric-can-improve-health\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Ways Turmeric Can Improve Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Is it any wonder something so brilliant in colour can offer an array of health-boosting benefits? The golden hue of turmeric is powerful, much like the curcuminoids it contains – these are the very constituents that lend it such vibrant tones. Part of the ginger family, turmeric is native to India and cultivation is prolific throughout the Asian continent where it thrives in the tropical climate. Long recognised in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine as a powerful healing agent, Indonesia has also embraced the rhizome of this plant for their medical needs for centuries.<\/p>\n

Walk through any market in Bali, for example, and you\u2019ll spot the local \u2018jamu\u2019 seller creating concoctions by combining turmeric with an assortment of other herbs to address their patients\u2019 specific complaints. Known collectively as curcuminoids, the substances extracted from the turmeric root consist of three types; demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and the most prolific, diferurolyl methane – curcumin itself. So what health complaints can it relieve? Read on to discover 11 ways this incredible plant can aid you on the path to vibrant, natural health.<\/p>\n

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/h3>\n

Following on from the recognition of its versatile use in eastern medicine, scientists have done much research on turmeric<\/a> and its curcumin constituents. Its potent anti-inflammatory properties have been acknowledged, which lends it to the treatment of inflammation-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In this condition the body\u2019s joints come under fire from its immune system, causing painful swelling resulting in stiffness and limited range of motion. The disease can also cause inflammation around the internal organs. With its ability to modulate inflammatory signalling molecules, curcumin can help relieve the symptoms of the disease throughout the body.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Irritable Bowel Conditions<\/h3>\n

Coming under the umbrella of \u2018IBD\u2019, or inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn\u2019s disease is another condition of inflammation caused by the body\u2019s immune system attacking the digestive tract (another autoimmune disease, as with rheumatoid arthritis).<\/p>\n

The symptoms have some crossover with those of other bowel disorders and can include diarrhoea, bloating<\/a>, vomiting, bleeding from the rectum and severe abdominal discomfort. As with rheumatoid arthritis, the curcumin in turmeric can interfere with the body\u2019s inflammatory signalling, therefore reducing the level of swelling in and around the digestive tract.<\/p>\n

The use of curcumin combined with other dietary and lifestyle changes has the potential to relieve symptoms of the disease for the patient.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Pain<\/h3>\n

Ayurvedic medicine states that turmeric is a pain reliever, and prescribes it for everyday aches and pains such as headaches and sore muscles, as well as being used by women to aid natural childbirth.<\/p>\n

Western doctors speak of patients choosing to use turmeric supplements to both relieve the pain of chronic conditions such as arthritis<\/a> and for postoperative pain relief and healing. Dr Scott Haig spoke to Time Magazine about the success one of his patients had when he swapped his prescribed pain relief tablets for turmeric supplements.<\/p>\n

Dr Haig was so impressed by his patients results that he began using the spice for his personal pain relief too.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Digestion<\/h3>\n

By stimulating bile release in the digestive tract<\/a> – along with reducing the inflammation of irritable bowel conditions – turmeric is further able to aid with the absorption and passing of food. The extra digestive juices break down food more efficiently.<\/p>\n

Nutrients are more readily available to be absorbed in the lower gastrointestinal tract, avoiding intestinal blockages and sluggishness caused by partially digested pieces of food. All wellness begins with healthy digestion – our digestive function and microbiome dictate the overall health in the rest of the body.<\/p>\n

As studies have shown, if there\u2019s one thing that will boost your digestive function, and therefore benefit you most overall, it\u2019s the use of turmeric.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Mental Function<\/h3>\n

Mental degeneration is not necessarily age related – much neurological impairment, such as memory loss, can been attributed to inflammation of the brain. It can occur at any age as a result of an immune response to toxins in the body.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, something such as turmeric – with the proven ability to reduce inflammation – has the potential to improve memory and overall brain function. This is also great news for people with diabetes as medical research has linked the condition with developing dementia<\/a> and impaired mental function later on in life.<\/p>\n

Tests have also shown an improvement of memory in the short-term after patients already suffering from impaired mental recall were administered a curcumin supplement.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Cancer<\/h3>\n

Apoptosis<\/a> is the naturally occurring form of cell death that regulates cellular life cycles in our bodies. Apoptosis will occur when a cell becomes old, its function becomes impaired, or there is an error in its programming.<\/p>\n

If a cell begins operating in an irregular manner, and apoptosis does not occur correctly, it can trigger other cells to adopt the same faulty programming.<\/p>\n

Scientific studies demonstrate that curcumin induces apoptosis, eliminating damaged or diseased cells in cases of melanoma and lymphoma. It also blocks an enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2, that encourages the growth of new blood vessels. Inhibiting this enzyme can cause result in a reduced blood supply to cancer cells.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Cardiovascular Health<\/h3>\n

Studies have shown that curcumin from turmeric decreases the amount of CRP, or C-Reactive protein<\/a>, in the blood. CRP acts as a marker for an elevated risk of cardiovascular conditions resulting from inflammation.<\/p>\n

Therefore, lower levels of CRP correlate to a reduced risk of experiencing cardiovascular health problems. Again this comes back to turmeric\u2019s ability to reduce inflammation.<\/p>\n

Considering that the vast majority of diseases either arise as a result of or directly create inflammation in the body, it comes as no surprise that turmeric is such an adaptable, potent medicine.<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Antibacterial<\/h3>\n

Traditionally in India, turmeric was added to dishes for its preservative effects. Before the time of refrigeration, people relied on it to help prolong the life of their food. We now know that its life-extending abilities stem from the antibacterial<\/a> nature of the spice.<\/p>\n

Modern scientific studies have shown how the use of the rhizome inhibits bacterial growth. It makes sense, then, that the Ayurvedic tradition has, for centuries, been applying it to wounds to keep them clean and aid in healing.<\/p>\n

In a similar vein, it is also applied topically to sprains and bruises to facilitate quick relief of symptoms and faster healing.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Alzheimer’s Disease<\/h3>\n

In 2006 the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease<\/a> published a study indicating that curcumin was effective in slowing the progression of the illness due to its ability to prevent the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain. Curcumin has the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it can then bind to the amyloid plaques that are responsible for<\/p>\n

Alzheimer’s, facilitating their removal from the system. This, combined with the reduction of inflammation in the brain, can lead to increased and prolonged mental plasticity – the ability of the brain to form and maintain new neural pathways.<\/p>\n

In turn, this can slow the progression of symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, such as memory loss and confusion.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. For Radiant, Healthy Skin.<\/h3>\n

As mentioned before, turmeric has long been used as a topical application for bruising and sprains<\/a>, however, it is also useful for other irritations of the skin – namely acne (another inflammatory condition), and eczema.<\/p>\n

In these disorders, it can ease redness and soreness and improve skin condition. Alongside these health benefits, turmeric is favoured for its beautifying effect. \u2018Ubtan\u2019 is an all-natural paste used throughout India to give a glow to the skin and improve overall appearance.<\/p>\n

It is made from a combination of herbs, with turmeric as one of the main ingredients.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Bugs-Be-Gone!<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve boosted your health in this myriad of ways, what else could turmeric possibly do for you? Well, it’s got one more string to its bow. Originating from the tropics, where biting insects are a big issue, people traditionally use turmeric in lotions applied to the skin<\/a> to deter mosquitos and other bothersome critters.<\/p>\n

It makes a great natural alternative to modern insect repellents loaded with highly toxic DEET – not something you want to have slathered all over your skin.<\/p>\n

In summary, it seems this natural alternative will not only have you feeling great, but it will also keep the bugs away and leave you with a glowing complexion to boot.<\/p>\n\r\n

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