What is Curcumin?
Curcumin is the main active compound found within turmeric, an edible root, commonly used in Asian diets. It is packed full of healing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
This root has been used in India for thousands of years for its flavor and medicinal qualities and modern scientific research has shown curcumin to have amazing health benefits.
Curcumin:
1. Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
While inflammation is important for your body to fight foreign invaders, chronic inflammation, which attacks your body’s own tissues, is a major problem and common in many diseases.
One scientific study, published in June of 2019, pointed to chronic inflammatory disease as being “the most significant cause of death in the world”. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks chronic diseases as the greatest threat to human health. Chronic inflammatory diseases are well-documented problems, and curcumin can help!
Curcumin is a strongly anti-inflammatory bioactive substance that fights inflammation at the molecular level. It has many similar benefits as anti-inflammatory drugs – without the negative side effects.
2. Prevents Neurodegenerative Disease/Dementia
Curcumin boosts the brain hormone BDNF, a growth hormone that functions in the brain and assists in the growth of new neurons. A decrease in BDNF has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Curcumin can increase the levels of BDNF, delaying or even reversing brain diseases, while increasing brain function.
As curcumin aids in brain growth, improved memory is the result. Scientific News quoted a study which reported curcumin usage as providing significant improvements in memory and attention abilities.
3. Fights Depression/Balances Mood
According to Healthline.com, curcumin could potentially improve mild depression or even major depressive disorder. One controlled trial compared curcumin to Prozac and reported curcumin to be as effective as an antidepressant.
4. Prevents heart disease
Curcumin reduces inflammation, which is a major factor in heart disease. Web MD cited current studies which have shown that curcumin also may prevent clogged arteries, a key factor in heart attacks and strokes.
Endothelial dysfunction drives heart disease, causing an inability to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and more. Curcumin provides improved function in the endothelium-lining of the blood vessels, providing great preventative benefits against heart disease. One study even found taking curcumin as a supplement to be as effective as exercising.
5. Reduces Allergy/Asthma Symptoms
Asthma attacks occur when inflammation causes the airways to swell. Allergies are also inflammatory responses. It makes sense that curcumin, with its strong anti-inflammatory benefits, would prove very effective in preventing asthma and allergy symptoms. Scientific studies point towards curcumin being an effective therapy going into the future for the treatment of asthma and allergies.
6. Prevents or treats cancer
Studies have shown curcumin to affect cancer growth, development, and spread. It contributes to the death of cancerous cells and reduces the growth of new blood vessels in tumors. The spread of the cancer is slowed.
There is also evidence that curcumin supplements may prevent cancer from occurring, especially those cancers found in the digestive system.
7. Provides Relief from Arthritis/Joint Pain
All forms of arthritis involve inflammation in the joints. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties make it the perfect supplement to provide arthritis relief. In one study, people with rheumatoid arthritis found curcumin to be even more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs. The Arthritis Foundation lists curcumin’s benefits as including reduced joint pain and swelling as well as long-term improvement in pain and function.
8. Offers Immune System Support
Taking a curcumin supplement boosts the immune system. Researchers from Oregon State University reported that curcumin offers immune function benefits. After studying its effects they stated curcumin helped combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi not previously encountered by the immune system.
9. Improves Digestive Function
Studies have shown reductions in abdominal discomfort and improved bowel movements for those suffering from IBS.
Studies are currently being done to better understand curcumin’s potential to be used to treat many gastrointestinal diseases. It is called "a very promising therapeutic compound".
10. Provides Skin Benefits
The health benefits from curcumin are not limited to the inside of the body. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits of curcumin fight off acne, calm skin conditions such as eczema, reduce dark circles, protect against sun damage, soothe dry skin, and reduce stretch marks.
11. Prevents Aging Symptoms – Fountain of youth?
After seeing the many benefits gained from the use of curcumin it makes sense that taking curcumin supplements would also provide benefits in longevity. It is known as an anti-aging supplement.
Use of curcumin protects the body from free radicals – which cause aging and diseases. The curcumin blocks the free radicals while also stimulating the antioxidant defenses your body naturally produces.
12. Now Allows for Easy Absorption
In the past curcumin has been less useful as a health supplement because turmeric only contains about 3% curcumin. It is hard to get enough curcumin, even if turmeric is a normal part of the diet. Even after the curcumin is extracted from the turmeric and taken in concentrated doses, most of the curcumin passes right through the human body. Now research and advances have provided the knowledge and ability to provide great absorption into the body. Curcumin is now paired with Bioperine, which is obtained from black pepper fruits, enhancing the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%!
Curcumin supplements are also available in liquid format, and use Cavacurmin for high absorption rates.
In Short:
Curcumin supports overall health. It has many scientifically-proven benefits, such as helping with the prevention and treatment of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. It also has the potential to improve symptoms of arthritis and depression while bringing a healthy glow to the skin. To experience these benefits, try a curcumin supplement today.
SOURCES
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