Turmeric Curcumin for Inflammation and Other Health Benefits

Have you been hearing a lot about turmeric these days and wondering what all the hype is about? Have you wondered if turmeric really reduces inflammation? Is turmeric good for your overall health? We’ve done a bit of research for you and are sharing some useful information about this “magic” spice and how it may be beneficial for several different health conditions.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant’s roots and is the main spice in curry. For thousands of years, turmeric has been used in India as a spice as well as a medicinal herb. The main active ingredient in turmeric is a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is a strong antioxidant and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It is believed that turmeric can reduce inflammation, swelling, and relieve pain when ingested. The use of turmeric curcumin for inflammation is a topic that is continuously being studied.

Using Turmeric Curcumin for Inflammation

When a wound turns red and swells up, radiation causes an adverse reaction in the body, or if you suffer from Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, your immune system’s responds with inflammation. It has been studied for many years that taking turmeric consistently for extended periods of time has some effect on immune system responses. The curcumin in turmeric works to suppress molecules that play a part in inflammation and stimulate your body’s own antioxidant defenses.

There are so many various ways to use turmeric curcumin for inflammation. You can add it to meals you are preparing, apply it directly to your skin for pain relief, take it as a supplement, and even used as an enema for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.

Other Health Benefits of Turmeric

The benefits that you may see as a result of incorporating turmeric into your lifestyle can be noticeable. Because the main compound in turmeric is curcumin, there is scientific evidence that it may support your overall health in many different ways.

Type 2 Diabetes

The curcumin in turmeric can help keep blood sugar levels steady, which could be helpful in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. A study showed those with prediabetes were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes when they took curcumin for 9 months straight. The curcumin helped to improve the cells that make insulin in the pancreas and could possibly slow down the development of this health condition.

Arthritis

Arthritis is another common condition known to cause inflammation of the joints. Turmeric’s properties may be even more effective to treat the symptoms than other anti-inflammatory drugs that often have side effects. Applying turmeric for inflammation directly to the skin can help ease the pain associated with stiffness in joints.

High Cholesterol

Exercising and eating healthy foods can help keep your cholesterol levels where they need to be, but taking a supplement such as turmeric with curcumin might help to reduce your numbers. One study found that it can lower LDL cholesterol and possibly have heart-protective qualities.