I have written about turmeric in the past, but the topic is so large I felt there was room for more conversation regarding this particular spice. Adding this spice to your diet on a regular basis is a way to improve your heath by reducing inflammation. This incredible spice has been shown to assist in the repair of ulcers in the colon and can even kill cancer cells. Here is more amazing information regarding the healing powers of turmeric.

The people of India do not suffer from many of the same diseases we commonly see here in America. There have been studies done to piece together the reasons why. Of course, there are many reasons for this but the biggest reason seems to be the continuous consumption of turmeric as part of a spice blend called curry. The actual blend of spices and herbs in curry can differ depending on region and even from family to family but the one common ingredient in all of them is turmeric. Curry is used to season food at virtually every Indian meal.

The chemical constituent of turmeric that is active and medicinal is called curcumin. Curcumin has been studied for many years to understand its properties and it is clear through both studies and empirical evidence, over thousands of years of consumption in India, that turmeric truly shows many medicinal benefits.

I have been reading about the rapid increase in Alzheimer’s, a severe form of dementia. I cannot think of a scarier disease than this one. The fact that it is a popular topic for the media to cover recently is probably due to the extremely high increase in rates of Alzheimer’s; diagnoses of this disease have more than doubled from 1999 to 2014 (1). And, it is expected to continue to rise at a rapid rate in the coming years. Currently, about 5.5 million people over the age of 65 have the disease but early onset Alzheimer’s can start in the 30s! What could be worse than losing your memories, the essence of who you are? Isn’t it interesting to know that in India the rate of Alzheimer’s is very low—70% lower than the rate here is the U.S.? This may be due to the consumption of turmeric.

The brain’s chemistry malfunctions when neurons start to die. Plaques and tangles (destructive proteins) begin to accumulate in the brain and the brain shrinks. This is what happens with Alzheimer’s. But curcumin has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, bringing specific nutrients to the brain’s tissue that relieves inflammation and has many healing effects. Research shows that curcumin can actually cause new brain cells to grow (2). Scientists used to think that growing new brain cells was impossible but research now shows this is not true. Researchers at the University of Florida have confirmed that curcumin stimulates the production of new neurons (neurogenesis), particularly in the hippocampus area of the brain, which is the seat of memory.

Antioxidants are proven to encourage brain health. And, curcumin is very high in antioxidants. When our brain is short on antioxidants, inflammation causes terrible destruction to our brain cells. Some research suggests that the antioxidant properties of curcumin are very protective to neurons and actually bind to the plaques in the brain and eliminates them (2). In a study with veterans, it was very exciting to discover that curcumin not only slowed the progress of Alzheimer’s but could also prevented the onset of the disease and improved the memory of those already diagnosed with it (2).

Turmeric and its most powerful chemical, curcumin, is amazing in its ability to quench inflammation, which makes it important in healing the brain and in balancing brain chemistry. But curcumin not only stops inflammation in the brain, it also reduces inflammation throughout the body including our joints. We accept arthritis as an inevitable side effect of aging but it doesn’t have to be. It seems like hip and knee replacement surgeries are about as common as gallbladder removal. Joint pain can completely sap your energy and create too much stress due to the chronic pain levels. Chronic joint pain can lead to depression; it causes people to resent movement, so they slow down, stop exercising and often use high carbohydrate (sugary) foods to boost their moods (we all know sugar dulls pain and increases the release of dopamine to make us feel good). Weight gain, metabolic syndrome, even diabetes can result from this cascade of unhealthy choices.

The usual way to decrease osteoarthritis pain is to take over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen. These inhibit the destructive work of an inflammatory enzyme called COX-2, but they also inhibit the work of another enzyme called COX-1 which protects the lining of the blood vessels and the digestive tract. Without COX-1, you can develop leaking blood vessels and ulcers in the digestive tract. Did you know that NSAIDs can mess with your kidney function too? When your kidneys are not working quite right you can end up with high blood pressure and fluid retention, two things that can double or triple your risk for heart attack or stroke.

Curcumin is able to block the nasty COX-2 enzyme without blocking the beneficial COX-1 enzyme. It modulates inflammatory pathways in the body, which reduces inflammation just as effectively as NSAIDs, without the negative side effects that come with their use. Curcumin relieves joint inflammation and pain and it can actually rebuild the worn cartilage in joints. Yep, you read that right! It is a powerful antioxidant that can help repair the oxidative damage caused by inflammation with zero side effects.

The truth about curcumin, the most bioactive and powerful chemical in turmeric, is that it is one of the most powerful medicines in the world. It has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine and as a powerful healing food in Asian and Indian food culture. I cannot begin to relay the wonders of this medicinal nutrient in this article. It has shown its ability to reduce and even eliminate systemic inflammation in the body. Remember, inflammation is behind most of our diseases. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can all be traced back to inflammation. Curcumin can even modulate our genes in a manner that promotes positive genetic expression, effectively shutting down genes that express negatively in ways that promote many of our diseases (2).

The area I have seen curcumin really shine is in the health of the colon. Many of my clients have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Both are inflammatory autoimmune diseases that affect the digestive tract. And, both diseases can lead to cancer in the digestive tract due to the high amount of chronic inflammation. Curcumin is unique in its ability to reduce inflammation in the large and small intestines. Reducing inflammation allows the healing process to take place. Making dietary changes and drinking freshly juiced turmeric has had unbelievable benefits for my clients with bowel disease. I have had clients completely heal when the fresh juice (see my recipe for Fresh Turmeric Juice) is coupled with dietary changes (dietary changes usually require some lifestyle changes too). Even lesions in the colon have healed. Studies show that curcumin can inhibit and even reverse the growth of precancerous polyps is the lower bowel (3) (4).

If there was ever a food to add to the diet consistently, turmeric is it! There is just too much evidence supporting the inclusion of turmeric in the diet for better health. A great way to incorporate this spice is to learn how to cook some of the ethnic foods that use curry. Traditional Indian, Thai and Pakistani dishes are just delicious. Our American diet pales in comparison to the complex flavors and the healing that spices impart. And, if you do not have the time or inclination to make new ethnic foods a part of your lifestyle, you can get the health benefits of curcumin by taking it as a supplement called BCM-95. This is a really great option for those people who cannot or choose not to cook.

Also see my article: Turmeric, An Ancient Medicine.

Cited References:

  1. Cha AE. U.S. death rate for Alzheimer’s rose dramatically over 15 years. Washington Post. Available here. May 26, 2017. Accessed January 2018.
  2. Goel A. Curcumin, Nature’s Answer to Cancer and Other Chronic Disease.
  3. Lev-Ari S, Maimon Y, Strier L, Kazanov D, Arber N. Down-regulation of prostaglandin E2 by curcumin is correlated with inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in human colon carcinoma cell lines. J Soc Intgr Oncol. 2006 Winter; 4(1):21-6.
  4. Turmeric for Health. Circumin and quercetin duo reduces intestinal polyps. Turmeric for Health Web Site. Available here. Accessed January 2018.
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