Health Benefits of Turmeric
Scientific research is finding more and more ways in which turmeric (with its powerful active chemical compound named curcumin) is beneficial to our health. Turmeric is showing to be effective in the treatment of a number of diseases and health problems, such as arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), various skin problems, depression, weight problems and a number of inflammatory conditions. Turmeric can be taken as a supplement (any store – including online stores – selling natural health supplements will have turmeric) or, as a spice. Further below the page a list of health benefits of turmeric is included.
(for dosages: scroll to the bottom of this page)
1. Anti-Inflammatory
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are proven to highly beneficial against diseases like arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (which, as we know, creates various inflammatory states throughout the body and, unfortunately, not only the joints). Several studies have shown that turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects similar to those of many manufactured drugs; however, since this is a natural supplement, it creates no toxicity within your body and has no harmful side-effects.
How does it work? Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties stem from its inhibitory action against 2 enzymes (COX-2 and lipoxygenase), which are responsible for creating and maintaining a number of inflammatory mechanisms within our body. Moreover, Turmeric’s health benefits also include its capacity to ‘soothe’ the body’s inflammatory and allergic reaction to histamines, or to over/under activity, or trauma (of various kinds).
2. Anti-Oxidant
Turmeric has shown to be effective in protecting body cells from damage caused by oxidation (in the body, oxidation is a specific chemical reaction (triggered by a number of factors such as pollution, drugs, radiation, toxins, stress and even natural ageing) releasing the ‘unstable’ free radicals, which combine with other molecules to, eventually, destroy the cell). Anti-oxidants have the healthy property to neutralize free radicals and their destructive effects on the body.
Free radicals are the culprits of a series of skin problems (including premature ageing), as well as a number of diseases throughout the body, including cancer. With regards to arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in particular, free radicals contribute to the inflammation and the damage caused to the joints and to other organs; thus, a potent anti-oxidant like turmeric will be highly beneficial, especially due to its own strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric Dosages for Inflammatory Disorders, including Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Take 3 to 5 grams (200 to 400 mg of curcuminoïdes) 3 times a day. To reach these doses, use normalised extracts at 95 % of curcuminoïdes.
Turmeric is not easily absorbed by the body; therefore, when you shop for turmeric supplements, opt for those which have it mixed with bromeline (a natural enzyme found in pineapple), known to facilitate absorption.
If you use turmeric as a spice and wish to maximize its absorption, mix it with an equivalent quantity of black pepper.
Contraindications: turmeric does not have harmful side-effects. However, people with gallstones or bile obstruction should not use it nor should pregnant women, since it acts as a stimulant.
Back to Supplements for Arthritis.