12 Benefits Of TURMERIC Over Age 50! (DOCTORS AMAZED!)

10 Surprising Health Benefits of Turmeric Turmeric, a golden warrior from the spice world, is rising, armed with potent anti-inflammatory powers. But is it hype or hope? Let's find out the benefits and more in this video. But first, what are turmeric and curcumin? Turmeric is the spice that makes curry yellow. People in India have used it for a very long time for both cooking and medicine. Studies have found that turmeric has special substances that can be good for your health. These substances are called curcuminoids, and the most important one is curcumin. Curcumin is the main thing in turmeric that makes it helpful. Now, let's dive deep into the health benefits of turmeric. 1. Antioxidant Plant compounds, such as curcumin, are valuable because they assist the body in fighting the harmful effects of a process known as oxidation. As time passes, this process can lead to long-term inflammation, contributing to age-related issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Adding antioxidant-rich foods to our diet helps our bodies better handle the aging process and the inflammation linked to it. This can also be beneficial in addressing inflammation caused by exercise and potentially easing muscle soreness. 2. Anti-inflammatory properties Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory effects and serves as a potent antioxidant. However, the curcumin in turmeric is only about 1 to 6 percent by weight. Many studies on this herb use extracts with a high curcumin concentration, often exceeding 1 gram per day. Achieving such levels through turmeric as a spice is difficult, leading some people to opt for supplements. Moreover, curcumin is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream. To maximize its effects, its bioavailability—how well the body absorbs it—needs improvement. Consuming turmeric with black pepper, which contains piperine, can enhance curcumin absorption by 2,000 percent. The best curcumin supplements typically include piperine, making them much more effective. Curcumin is also soluble in fat, so taking supplements with a meal high in fat can be beneficial for optimal absorption. 3. Can aid your digestion Turmeric is included in curry powder not only for its delicious taste but also for its ability to aid in digestion. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, turmeric can promote healthy digestion. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is used as a healing agent for digestion. Recently, Western medicine has started to investigate how turmeric can assist in managing gut inflammation and gut permeability, which are important indicators of digestive health. Turmeric is also being studied as a potential treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. 4. Can prevent or treat type 2 diabetes According to a previous review of studies, curcumin may have potential in treating and preventing diabetes, as well as associated conditions like diabetic nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, affecting both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, it's important to note that many of these studies were conducted on animals rather than humans. For instance, in a study involving rats with type 2 diabetes, feeding them 80 millimedes of tetrahydrocurcumin, a key component of curcumin, per kg of body weight for 45 days resulted in a significant decrease in blood sugar and an increase in plasma insulin. Another study on obese mice with type 2 diabetes showed that curcumin supplements helped reduce blood insulin levels after 16 weeks. A recent review suggests that curcumin could be a beneficial addition to diabetes treatment by improving insulin resistance, blood sugar control, and lowering blood lipids, fatty substances in the blood. Additionally, curcumin may have a preventive role in diabetes due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, addressing factors such as insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and elevated blood fat levels. However, more human studies are necessary to confirm these findings. 5. Lowers risk of heart disease Turmeric's ability to reduce inflammation and oxidation may lower the risk of heart disease. Studies indicate that turmeric could potentially reverse the progression of heart disease. In one study, middle-aged and older adults who took curcumin supplements for 12 weeks showed increased production of resistance artery endothelium, a factor linked to high blood pressure. In another study involving 121 individuals who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, those who took 4 grams of curcumin daily experienced a 65% decreased risk of having a heart attack in the hospital. Turmeric may also complement medication in managing cholesterol levels. Research suggests that curcumin is safe and may protect individuals at risk for heart disease by lowering specific cholesterol levels. However, further investigation is needed to determine the optimal amount and type of curcumin for effectiveness. 6. May help prevent and possibly treat certain types of cancer Inflammation is associated with the growth of tumors, and compounds with anti-inflammatory properties such as curcumin may have a role in treating and preventing various types of cancer, including colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, breast, and gastric cancers. Studies in mice suggest that curcumin might slow the spread of tumor cells and even prevent the formation of tumors by disrupting the development of cancerous cells at different stages in the cell cycle, interfering with cell signaling pathways, and inducing the death of cancerous cells. It is yet to be determined if curcumin can be effective in treating cancer in humans, but research in this area is ongoing. Additionally, some research indicates that turmeric or curcumin may help alleviate certain symptoms associated with cancer. A review of 11 studies focused on the effects of turmeric on prostate diseases, including prostate cancer, suggests that supplementing with turmeric or curcumin may have benefits. While some studies found no effect on patients with prostate diseases, others showed positive effects on levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein linked to prostate cancer, urination frequency and urgency, and overall quality of life. Researchers emphasize the need for more studies to better understand the true impact of curcumin on prostate conditions, including cancer. 7. May support immune system Curcumin has the potential to act as an immune modulator by affecting crucial immune cells like T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells. Additionally, curcumin seems to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory compounds known as cytokines. Over time, these cytokines can cause damage associated with inflammation. When taken in small amounts, curcumin may boost our antibody responses, assisting in our ability to fend off infections. Some animal studies also indicate that curcumin might play a role in managing allergic conditions, including hay fever. 8. May be useful in treating Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, contributing to up to 70% of dementia cases. Inflammation and oxidative damage are known to play a role in Alzheimer's disease, and curcumin has been found to have positive effects on both. Research also indicates that curcumin may assist in clearing the accumulation of protein tangles known as amyloid plaques, which are associated with the disease. However, it is currently unclear whether curcumin can slow down or reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease in people. 9. Helps fight depression In individuals with depression, the protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF is often reduced, and the hippocampus, a part of the brain important for learning and memory, may start to shrink. Research suggests that curcumin can elevate BDNF levels and potentially reverse these changes. Furthermore, a study indicates that curcumin is as effective as fluoxetine, Prozac, in reducing symptoms of depression. Curcumin may also raise levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood and other bodily functions. 10. May play a role in treating rheumatoid arthritis Curcumin shows promise as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder that commonly affects the joints and can also impact other areas such as the eyes, lungs, skin, heart, and blood vessels. RA causes painful swelling in the joints, leading to erosion of bones over time and potential deformities and physical disabilities. In a study, individuals with RA were given 500 mg of curcumin, 50 mg of diclofenac sodium, a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or a combination of both. After 8 weeks, the group receiving curcumin alone showed significant improvements in joint tenderness and swelling compared to the other two groups. Researchers noted that curcumin treatment was also safe, with no harmful events reported. Is it good to take turmeric every day? Taking turmeric daily can be a good idea due to its various health benefits. If you limit your intake to 12 grams or less, you are unlikely to experience side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting. Can I get the health benefits from adding turmeric to my food? When we include turmeric in our food, it's often in dishes that we plan to cook. Heating the spice can slightly reduce its antioxidant potential, though boiling or roasting seem to be better choices than frying. Ideally, keep cooking time short. In addition to using it in a curry, you can enjoy turmeric in a golden latte, soup, marinade, or sauce. Who should not take turmeric? Individuals who are pregnant or nursing, those with gallbladder or kidney problems, individuals with bleeding disorders, diabetes, or iron deficiency should limit their intake of turmeric. If you have any of these conditions, it's advisable to consult your doctor before taking turmeric. Additionally, check with your doctor to see if turmeric may interact with any medications you are currently taking. Can turmeric burn belly fat? Research indicates that curcumin, the primary component of turmeric, may assist in reducing belly fat. Curcumin supplementation has been suggested to promote weight loss and improve complications related to obesity thanks to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Although curcumin has promising benefits, its ability to be absorbed by the body is limited. Turmeric's health benefits are impressive. 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