Benefits Of Turmeric
The Possible Health Benefits of Turmeric
Scientists are currently looking into the possible health benefits of turmeric. This Indian spice’s most common use is for types of curry, but it may turn out to have several health benefits as well. Although the jury is still out turmeric may have possible benefits for those suffering from Alzheimer’s, arthritis and maybe even cancer.
Turmeric does, also however, have some negative side effects that you should be aware of, so be sure to consult with your physician before you use it.
The Magic of Cur cumin
The active ingredient in turmeric that seems to have the positive health effects is cur cumin. Turmeric is a spice that you commonly find in curries. Appropriately, the majority of turmeric comes from a plant grown in India, where the spice is as common as salt and pepper is here in the United States.
Alzheimer’s
One of the benefits of turmeric may be in fighting Alzheimer’s, a disease that has for a long while been much less common in India than in the United States. Researchers believe there may be a connection between turmeric and brain health in general. Non-scientific studies seem to indicate that having turmeric as part of your diet significantly increases mental ability in older individuals. Individuals who took turmeric regularly scored higher on memory and mental alertness tests.
Arthritis
Another of the possible health benefits of turmeric may be in fighting arthritis. Medical researchers in Arizona have shown that turmeric not only prevents inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, but may actually aid in joint regeneration. In fact, turmeric helps in all aspects of the fight against arthritis. Turmeric even helps as a gene therapy because it inhibits several genes that cause bone deterioration.
Turmeric also works as an anti-inflammatory fighting the swelling that is so common in arthritis. Furthermore, cur cumin not only prevents arthritis symptoms, it even helps when arthritis has already formed. Turmeric keeps bones from becoming brittle and actually restores some bone density that an individual may have lost. Studies, however, are still in their early stages.
Cancer
Yet another of the surprising benefits of turmeric is in relation to cancer. A group of Irish medical researchers believes it has found turmeric may cause cancer cells to self-destruct. The research is still preliminary, but these researchers think that turmeric may be responsible for cancerous cells to go into “cell death”. They have tested this in patients suffering from cancer of the esophagus and the preliminary findings are positive.
Scientists are looking to test the claims and to see if similar results might occur in patients with other kinds of cancer.
Dangerous Side Effects
Despite these benefits of turmeric, you should also be aware of the possible negative side effects of taking too much turmeric.
Heart Disease
Studies have shown that turmeric may have negative effects for people suffering from certain forms of heart disease. Turmeric also works as a blood thinner and could have harmful side effects for those with diseases of the blood. When taken hand-in-hand with medications that fight blood-clotting, turmeric has a catalytic effect that may cause bleeding.
Digestive Problems
Like many such spices, turmeric may cause the individual to have stomach problems such as diarrhea and indigestion. Over a prolonged period, turmeric may cause ulcers and intestinal bleeding. A person should watch for blood in the stool as a symptom of this condition.
Skin Allergies
Some people also have a sensitivity to contact with turmeric. If applied to the skin it is possible for turmeric to cause forms of skin irritation.
Consult Your Doctors
Before you decide to use any treatment to aid your health you should consult your doctor. Although certain herbs and diets may help with certain conditions, it is always a good idea to make sure that these benefits will help with your specific condition as the human body involves a complicated set of conditions.