Have you ever cooked with turmeric? Being that it is the spice that gives curry its yellow color, my friends always ask me where I got my beautiful yellow nail stain. Turmeric is a root with a zing to it. I use it in just about everything. It goes well in fruit smoothies, hot tea, and fried dishes. The possibilities are endless (I will leave a few recipes below). Turmeric has a vast array of medicinal properties. It is the main inhibitor of the body’s most powerful inflammation-causing chemical, known as Nf-kappa beta. It tames joint pain and muscle soreness, shields the brain, supports cardiovascular wellbeing, bolsters immunity, and more. When consumed with black pepper the absorption rate increases significantly.
Bioactive Compounds
Curcuminoids are medicinal compounds found in turmeric, the most important being curcumin. Curcumin is the key compound consisting of powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. Due to the curcumin content being low when it’s in root form, it is suggested that you take the extract to receive the full effects. Don’t forget to ingest some black pepper, which contains piperine, to help make the curcumin more bioavailable to your body. It can increase the rate of absorption of curcumin by 2000%.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation plays a critical role in the body by inhibiting pathogens, like bacteria, that could consume our bodies and even kill us. Short-term inflammation can be beneficial but long-term is where damage can occur. Chronic, low-level inflammation has been said to play a large role in almost every chronic western disease. Including Alzheimer’s, cancer, and assorted degenerative conditions. Curcumin is able to block NF-kB, which is a molecule that enters the nuclei of cells and activates the gene. Being that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory, curcumin targets multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway on a molecular level. Rendering it comparable, even more efficient, than most inflammation pharmaceuticals on the market today. Many studies of it’s potency found that it is comparable to pharmaceutical drugs and the best part is it lacks the side effects.
Turn Up The Antioxidants
Many diseases and aging can be negatively affected by oxidative damage. Free radicals invade the body and aren’t properly detoxified, leaving behind layers of damage. Free radicals like to react to the important organic substances within your body, such as DNA, proteins, and fatty acids. Antioxidants are essential to protecting your body from these pesky free radicals. Curcumin is an extremely powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals due to its unique chemical structure and boosts the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. It kills two birds with one stone by destroying free radicals and stimulating your natural antioxidant enzymes.
Boosts Brain Function
An array of common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is a growth hormone that functions in the brain. Curcumin has the ability to increase the levels in the brain of BDNF. This may be the key to delaying or reversing some brain diseases and age-related diseases that affect the brain.
Lowers Risk Of Heart Disease
The worlds biggest killer.. heart disease! It has been studied for years and it turns out that curcumin may aide in the reversal of heart disease. Curcumin has the ability to improve the lining of the blood vessels (endothelium). Dysfunction of the endothelial causes an inability to regulate blood clotting, blood pressure, and other variables. One study, of many, shows that curcumin is as effective as exercise and that it works as well as Atorvastatin. In another study, 121 patients who were in line for coronary artery bypass surgery were randomized to take a placebo or 4g of curcumin per day, a few days after the surgery. The results were astonishing, 65% of the curcumin group had decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the hospital.
Cancer Prevention
Cancer is a terrible disease that hits home for me. I have suffered loosing loved ones from it’s treacherous grip. Cancer comes in a multitude of forms having many commonalities, some of which curcumin supplementation appears to have an affect on. Scientists have found that curcumin can affect cancer growth, development, and spread at the molecular level. Studies have revealed that it can reduce angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth in tumors), metastasis (spread of cancer), as well as contributing to death of cancerous cells. A few studies have shown that curcumin can reduce the growth of cancerous cells in lab studies and inhibit growth of tumors in test animals.
Alzheimer’s Prevention
A neurodegenerative disease and leading cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease has no known cure yet. No truly beneficial treatments are available. Prevention of this detrimental brain disease is imperative. Curcumin is known to pass through the blood-brain barrier. When inflammation and oxidative damage occur to someone with this disease curcumin has the ability to mitigate the effects. Studies show that curcumin can reduce the amount of Amyloid plaques, a build up of protein tangles in people affected with Alzheimer's disease.
Relieves Arthritis
Many types of arthritis exist and many of those induce inflammation in the joints. As curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory it has the ability to reduce the inflamed areas. A study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that curcumin was more effective than anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs.
Fights Depression
Curcumin is equivalent to any antidepressant drug available. A study found that curcumin can treat someone with depression similar to prozac. In this study they randomized sixty patients into three groups. The group that took curcumin had amazing benefits, but the one who took both had the best results. Other studies show how curcumin can increase the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Fights Acne
Curcumin kills acne bacteria that lives on the skin. When you make a paste with turmeric and apply it to the skin it reduces inflammation caused by acne and removes excessive oil. You can easily whip up a face mask by mixing 1 tablespoon of organic turmeric powder with 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply to the face for 20 minutes and then wash off with water. I rarely have issues where my face is orange after but if you have any spots a little baking soda will take care of it.
Whitens Teeth
Despite it’s yellow color and the fact that it stains literally everything… you will be astonished to know that it has been used as a teeth whitening remedy for years in India and other areas of the globe. It cleanses the gums, treats infections, reduces bacteria, and much more. It can help treat gingivitis too. To make a whitening paste: Mix 4 tablespoons of turmeric powder, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply paste and brush your teeth for 3 minutes. Rinse until the water is coming out clear. To achieve your white smile you must repeat this regularly.
Strawberry, Banana, Pineapple Smoothie
Ingredients
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup strawberry
1/4 cup pineapple
1 banana
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 pieces of black pepper, crushed
1 small piece of turmeric root, peeled & chopped
1 slightly bigger piece of ginger root, peeled & chopped
1 scoop of vanilla protein, I use Orgain
Almond milk - to your desired thickness
Blend everything together & enjoy!
Turmeric Herb Tea
Ingredients
1 piece of turmeric root (about an inch), peeled & chopped
1 piece of ginger root (a little smaller than a golf ball), peeled & chopped
1 inch piece of cinnamon bark
A small handful of fresh mint leaves
A small handful of fresh basil leaves
2 pieces of black pepper, crushed
Manuka honey - to your desired sweetness
Optional: I use Traditional Medicinals “Throat Coat” tea or Numi "Gunpowder Green" tea. They are some of my favorites!
Boil cinnamon bark in the water. Add everything else to your tea mug. Add water when boiling & steep for 5-10 minutes. I personally leave everything in my cup.
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Love & Light,
Monica
Sources
https://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric/
http://www.skincareorg.com/teeth-whitening/turmeric-teeth-whitening-how-to-whiten-your-teeth-naturally-with-turmeric/
http://theindianspot.com/5-diy-turmeric-face-masks/
https://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-benefits/how-you-can-use-turmeric-for-acne