Turmeric is a well-known spice that has been used in meal preparation all over the world for many years. What many people do not know about are the amazing health benefits of turmeric that has made it a staple in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Through increase in popularity over the years and medical research teams, turmeric has been brought to the limelight as one of the most effective nutritional supplement in existence today with health benefits such as:
Anti-inflammatory
Turmeric contains a component called curcumin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory compound. Chronic inflammation can cause serious health complications with low-level inflammation playing a role in many chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative conditions. The anti-inflammatory benefit of curcumin can help to fight, control and cure disease.
Anti-oxidant
The oxidative damage that leads to aging & many other diseases can be reduced by taking turmeric supplements. Anti-oxidant rich turmeric helps protect the body from free radicals by neutralizing them. Although curcumin is an antioxidant compound itself, it also boosts the activity of the body antioxidant enzymes and stimulates the body’s antioxidant mechanisms.
Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Curcumin found in turmeric has been linked to improving brain function and lowering the risk of brain diseases by boosting the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor increases the growth of new neurons and fighting various degenerative conditions of the brain.
Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is very complicated and there are many factors that contribute to it. Curcumin extracts from turmeric have the potential to reverse various steps in the heart disease process with the most well-known being improving the endothelium function. Endothelial dysfunction is a major factor in heart diseases when the lining of the blood vessels walls is not able to regulate blood clotting and blood pressure. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of the curcumin also play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Prevent and even Cure Cancer
Cancer is one of the worst plagues of the 21st century with scientists working tirelessly to search for the cure of this terminal illness. The amazing health benefits of Turmeric may just be one of the solutions to curing cancer. Research shows that curcumin is beneficial to the cancer treatment process by reducing the cancer growth, development, and spread. Research also shows that curcumin supplementation can prevent cancer from occurring in the first place. Research is still ongoing as to the potential of turmeric as a cure for cancer.
Maggie Martin is currently completing her Ph.D. in Cell Biology. When she is not busy at the university, she takes interest in a variety of things such as lifestyle, food, health, herbal medicine, and the benefits of turmeric. Follow her on Twitter @Maggiemartink