Health benefits of turmeric

Turmeric as an anti-inflammatory

Turmeric is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory plants in existence and has been used extensively in both Indian Ayurvedic Medicine and Chinese Traditional Medicine.

Turmeric like we already know, is loaded with nutrients such as proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins like vitamins C, E and K.

Minerals in Turmeric are potassium, calcium, copper, iron, zinc and magnesium. Turmeric also has antioxidant properties and it is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and an anti-viral agent.

Furthermore, acts as an analgesic with protective, preventative and health promoting functions. The benefits of Turmeric are dependent on all these functional properties associated with and found in the plant.

10 Top Health Benefits of Turmeric

1. Potent anti-inflammatory agent

Turmeric is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory plants in existence and has been used extensively in both Indian Ayurvedic Medicine and Chinese Traditional Medicine.

Turmeric has been used extensively in the treatment of arthritis, both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The pain and swelling associated with arthritis is usually well taken care of by turmeric.

Not only that, we do know that this herb also has antibacterial and antiviral properties; researchers have also found it useful in the treatment of arthritis due to infection.

Curcumin the main bioactive compound in Turmeric is known to reduce the low-level inflammation in certain diseases, which become chronic inflammation.

Such diseases as heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease can therefore be managed by turmeric.

2. Prevention of cancer

Oxidative stress is damage caused to cell membranes, organs and organelles, DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids etc.

This damage is causes by free radicals, which are unstable and highly reactive elements. They are unstable because they have one electron in their outer orbit, instead of two. They ate therefore continually seeking the second electron from nearby structures mentioned above.

Antioxidants are chemicals, which donate an electron to the free radicals. As they receive an electron, they become stable and no longer destructive.

One of the ways that cancer develops in the body is by free radical destruction of structures like the DNA.

Curcumin in Turmeric is a potent antioxidant, which has been found to prevent different types of cancers. Also, curcumin has been found to prolong the activity of the antioxidant enzymes produced in the body.

3. Turmeric lowers the risk of heart disease

There are numerous ways by which heart disease develops in the body; moreso what is referred to, as heart disease does not solely affect the heart. The blood vessels are also involved.

These blood vessels, the arteries on the one hand that carry blood from the heart to the cells are lined by endothelium which play a role in the function of the artery.

The ability to relax and contract of the blood vessel depends on this endothelium. Certain cholesterol deposits called plaques may harden the arteries giving rise to what is known as arteriosclerosis.

This condition leads to increases blood pressure, which may eventually lead to such complications as heart disease and stroke.

The endothelium of the arteries helps to regulate the blood pressure and prevents clotting of blood in the vessels. Curcumin in Turmeric helps to improve the endothelial function of the blood vessel.

Furthermore, since some inflammation is involved in the causation of heart disease, curcumin, which is a potent anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant is able to take care of the inflammation and the oxidative stress.

4. Prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to dementia. Inflammation and oxidation is known to be implicated in the development of this disease. Here again, we know that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant.

Also, researchers have discovered that curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier to get to the brain tissue that is involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Curcumin may therefore be an appropriate solution to Alzheimer’s. Researchers have identified various pathological responses by patients of Alzheimer’s disease to curcumin.