Turmeric might just be one of the
most versatile spices on the planet. Whether you're familiar with it or not,
you've probably eaten it at some point or another because turmeric is one of
the main ingredients in both curry and mustard. It not only helps to give them
their unique flavors, but it's also responsible for giving them both their
yellow color. For this reason, turmeric is also used in textile dyes. Beyond
its abilities as a culinary spice and a coloring agent, turmeric has been used
for hundreds of years in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety
of medical conditions. It is a known anti-inflammatory and scientific research
has been conducted regarding its use in treating several medical conditions
including high cholesterol, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), rheumatoid
arthritis and scabies.
Turmeric is harvested from the
roots of the Curcuma longa plant, which is native to India [source: Curcuma
Longa]. To create turmeric, the roots of the Curcuma Longa plant, known as
rhizomes, are boiled, dried and then ground into a powder. Eastern cultures
have been incorporating turmeric into their diets and taking advantage of its
medicinal properties for centuries. In recent years, the rest of the world has
begun to take notice; time and resources are being put toward unlocking the
secrets behind turmeric's healthy benefits in labs around the globe.
While there is still a lot to
learn, it has been determined that turmeric has also proven to be a strong
antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals throughout the human body. Aside from
that, it's also shown promise in the fight against Alzheimer's and many
different forms of cancer. For centuries, it's even been a home remedy for diarrhoea
and bladder infections [source: Curcuma Longa].
Read on to find out about how
turmeric works in your body.
TURMERIC AT WORK IN YOUR BODY
OK, so we've established the fact
that turmeric is about as versatile as a spice can get. Now let's look at how
it works in your body. One of the main components in turmeric is curcumin,
which just happens to be an incredibly powerful antioxidant.
When we breathe, cells use the
oxygen we take in and then they spit out free radicals. This is a process
called oxidation and it's the same thing that causes iron to rust. Now imagine
that happening inside your body. The thing with free radicals is that they have
unpaired electrons, which makes them highly unstable. A molecule with unpaired
electrons is either going to get rid of an electron, or steal one from
somewhere else to become stable [source: Health Check Systems]. The problem
with this is that it can cause a damaging chain reaction. In order for one free
radical to become stable, another molecule has to become unstable and so on and
so on. This is where antioxidants like curcumin come into play.
Curcumin and other antioxidants
neutralize free radicals. They literally hunt them down and stabilize them.
This can help in a couple different ways. If a chain reaction has already
begun, antioxidants have the ability to put a stop to it or they can prevent it
from ever getting started in the first place. Keep in mind that oxidation is a
natural process. There's nothing we can do to stop it. In fact, it's necessary
to sustain life. However, by taking antioxidants like curcumin in moderation,
we can slow down its degenerative side effects.
Aside from containing powerful
antioxidants, turmeric also happens to be an anti-inflammatory. Our bodies
produce two prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, known
respectively as COX-1 and COX-2. While COX-1 is important in our bodies and
necessary for proper blood clotting, COX-2 is only associated with inflammation
[source: Mother Nature]. Aspirin prevent inflammation by blocking production of
both prostaglandins, but turmeric only blocks production of COX-2. It is easy
to see how this would be beneficial. Turmeric allows us to stop inflammation
without affecting other important body functions.
Read on to find out more about
turmeric's exciting health benefits.
Hair Removal
While dying your face yellow
might seem like a possible and not-so-pleasant side effect, some people have
used turmeric to remove facial hair. Reportedly, the process is pretty simple
-- you make a paste from turmeric and sugar, apply it over the region of facial
hair you wish to remove and let it sit for a few hours. Afterward, you just
scrub it off, and voilà, the hair will be gone [source: Singh].
TUMERIC HEALTH BENEFITS
Turmeric happens to have powerful
anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibiotic properties [source: Monda]. It can
be made into a paste and applied directly to the skin to help heal sprains,
open wounds and other injuries. As a result of its anti-inflammatory
properties, it has been used for years to treat patients with many different
types of arthritis. And some contend that it not only prevents heart failure
but also can repair damage that has already been done. On top of all that,
people use it to treat acne as well as other skin conditions like psoriasis and
eczema.
Curcumin, the main component in
turmeric, has been known to help "clean" the liver, which in turn
improves liver function. As a result, the liver is able to get rid of more LDL
cholesterol. And yes, that's the bad kind [source: WHFoods]. The same
principles applied here could mean that turmeric can be helpful with treating
digestive illnesses. Furthermore, many believe its ability to speed up
metabolism can assist with weight loss.
Surprisingly, turmeric can also
provide relief from diarrhea and it reportedly cures bladder infections.
Research regarding its effect on cancer is ongoing; it's shown promise in the
area of slowing the spread of cancerous cells. Indian men who ingest turmeric
regularly rarely develop colon cancer. New studies are also showing that
turmeric may be able to prevent Alzheimer's and slow down the disease's
progression in patients who already have it [source: WHFoods]. Studies are
currently underway to determine whether or not turmeric can also be used in the
fight against HIV and cystic fibrosis. Is there anything this spice can't do?
The number of health benefits
linked to turmeric is truly extraordinary. We'll talk about some of them more
in depth a little later. For now, let's focus on the side effects.
Here Comes the Bride
In India, it is customary for a
bride, and sometimes the groom, to be covered in a paste made of turmeric. The
paste, called Haldi, is applied to the face and arms. The purpose is to
beautify the skin and ensure a good complexion for the special event [source:
Turmeric].
TUMERIC SIDE EFFECTS
Most remedies come with side
effects. You have to exchange your stuffy nose for drowsiness or your
depression for headaches and diarrhoea. With turmeric, you don't really have to
worry about that. Taken in moderation, there are very few negative side
effects, if any.
With that being said, if you were
to take too much turmeric your body might react adversely, but you'd have to
take massive amounts in order for that to happen. There is also a possibility
that you could be allergic to turmeric, so be careful if you're trying it for
the first time. You might want to rub some on your skin and see if a rash
develops before ingesting it. An allergic reaction isn't the only possible
negative side effect. For persons being chemically treated for diabetes and
high blood pressure, turmeric could increase the strength of your medication,
which could be dangerous. Also, turmeric can interact with other medications,
dietary supplements and herbs. So be sure to check with your doctor of
pharmacist before inserting turmeric into your daily regimen.
Though the FDA has yet to weigh
in on the use of turmeric, a similar commission based out of Germany has stated
that turmeric is only dangerous for people with biliary obstruction [source:
Mother Nature]. It has also been advised that people with gastrointestinal
problems like ulcers and gallstones should shy away from turmeric and if you
have a sensitive stomach, it may upset you. Studies have also shown that
extraordinary amounts of turmeric can damage white and red blood cells.
However, the amount of turmeric you would have to consume to make this happen
is great, making it very unlikely.
While more research needs to be
done regarding turmeric and its possible side effects, you might want to stay
away from it if you have blood-clotting issues or if you're pregnant [source:
Tattva's Herbs]. There is no hard evidence to support negative effects in
regards to either condition, but the anti-inflammatory nature of turmeric means
it could adversely affect blood-clotting disorders and the effects on pregnancy
and nursing are completely unknown.
Biopiracy
In 1995, the University of
Mississippi Medical Center was awarded a patent for turmeric. They were the
only ones allowed to sell the spice specifically for the purpose of healing
wounds. India fought the patent claiming that it had been using turmeric for
that purpose for more than 2,000 years, a fact that was confirmed by ancient
documents. In 1997, the patent was revoked, but the issue of biopiracy -- the
misappropriation of traditional medicine -- remains [source: IAHF].
TURMERIC FOR BLADDER INFECTIONS
If you've ever had a bladder
infection, you know how uncomfortable it can be. What you probably didn't know
is that turmeric might help.
Bladder infections usually
involve frequent urination, a burning sensation while you urinate and the urge
to urinate when you really don't have to. These symptoms could be accompanied
by a fever and, in some cases, blood will appear in your urine. Bladder
infections are caused by bacteria, most commonly the bacteria Escherichia coli,
or E. coli [source: Livestrong]. You've probably heard of this before. It is
the same bacteria often associated with food poisoning.
When bacteria get into the
bladder, they multiply very quickly. As a result, the bladder becomes inflamed.
Luckily, as we've already discussed, turmeric happens to be a very effective
anti-inflammatory and in the case of bladder infections, researchers believe it
is able to stop the production of NF kappa-B, which is the main culprit
responsible for inflammation in the bladder [source: WHFoods]. This unique
ability makes turmeric a useful treatment for Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis as well.
Curcumin's role as a powerful
antioxidant also helps fight bladder infections. When our bodies get infected,
oxygen molecules are damaged and they turn into free radicals [source:
MC2Supermix]. They move throughout our bodies causing damage by stealing
electrons from other molecules. This causes a nasty chain reaction. As we
discussed earlier, antioxidants help stabilize these free radicals and keep
them from doing harm. Antioxidants can also be preventative, which means that
eating turmeric might just keep you from getting a bladder infection in the
first place.
Absorption Problems
Turmeric isn't easily absorbed.
When making a paste to treat injuries or wounds, it is a good idea to mix
turmeric with a component known to help absorption. An example would be
bromeline, something commonly found in pineapples. The same goes for cooking.
Turmeric will be better absorbed if you use black pepper to facilitate the
process [source: Pure Inside Out].
TURMERIC FOR DIARRHEA
Having intestinal issues is never
fun, but turmeric could help. Eastern cultures have been using the spice to
relieve diarrhea for hundreds of years.
Diarrhea can be caused by a
couple different factors. In most cases, it is directly related to the fluids
involved in digestion. A balance of fluids in our digestive tracks help break
down food and turn it into energy for our bodies. Some of these fluids are
created naturally inside our bodies, while others are ingested. If for some
reason our bodies excrete too much of these fluids or don't absorb enough of
what we consume, diarrhea will result [source: Mama Herb]. Turmeric's ability
to aid in digestion provides relief by helping to balance out these fluid levels
in our bodies.
Sometimes bacteria in our
intestines can cause diarrhea. Salmonella is one of the worst culprits. Lucky
for us, turmeric's antiseptic properties can provide relief [source: Hub
Pages]. Not only will the spice fight bacteria that have already set up shop,
but it can be taken preventatively as well. A diet with even moderate doses of
turmeric can help keep your system working properly.
Aside from eating curry, there
are a few other ways to take turmeric. The simplest method involves mixing a
single teaspoon of the spice with a glass of warm water [source: IBS Tips].
Some people prefer mixing it with milk or yogurt. Of course, if you're lactose
intolerant, these could just make the problem worse. There are also pill
supplements and a number of herbal teas that contain turmeric.
Read on to find out how turmeric
is helping in the fight against cancer.
Turmeric in Tandem
A recent study showed that
turmeric combined with Taxol, or Paclitaxel, used as chemotherapy for breast
cancer, has very promising results. Not only does the spice seem to make the
chemotherapy more powerful, but it diminishes the procedure's side effects as
well [source: MacGregor].
TURMERIC AND CANCER
Perhaps one of turmeric's most
exciting benefits is its potential ability to prevent cancer and even slow down
the spread of cancer that has already developed. People who regularly include
the spice in their diet have much lower occurrences of cancer.
In the case of colon cancer,
turmeric's role as a powerful antioxidant is probably most significant. Cells
throughout our bodies are constantly being turned over but in the colon, this
process happens much faster and much more often. If free radicals get into the
colon, they can disrupt this turnover and cause damage resulting in colon
cancer. Turmeric's antioxidant properties prevent this from happening.
In the case of patients who
already have cancer, turmeric could potentially be of help. Some reports
indicate that turmeric has been capable of slowing down the spread of tumors in
mice. As cancer cells spread and a tumor grows, transcription factors control
the process. Curcumin, one of the main components in turmeric, actually shuts
down many of these transcription factors. It can't stop them completely, but it
slows down the process considerably. Turmeric's ability to inhibit COX-2 and NF
kappa-B, as we discussed earlier, also comes into play [source: WHFoods]. Both
of these inflammatory agents help contribute to cancer growth. Keeping them at
bay could also help slow the formation of cancer cells.
Turmeric also looks promising as
a treatment for lung and prostate cancer as well as childhood leukemia. Studies
have shown that turmeric can completely stop the replication of leukemia cells
in a cell culture [source: WHFoods]. While more time and resources are needed
to unlock the full potential of turmeric, early results are encouraging.
The Numbers
There is still a lack of hard
evidence to support claims that turmeric can prevent cancer, but many
researchers are confident that it can. Considering the numbers, it's possible
those researchers are right. The four most common types of cancer in the U.S.
are colon, breast, prostate and lung cancer. In India, these types of cancer
occur 10 times less frequently [source: Science Daily].
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