Turmeric: More Than A Spice
Contributing Writer: Barbara K
Turmeric is a popular spice, produced from the root of the curcuma longa plant (a relative of ginger). It's a common addition to Indian foods. Added to rice, chicken, potatoes, and fish, turmeric gives food a distinctive yellow color (thanks to its component, curcumin) and pungent flavor. Turmeric goes well with its cousin as well as garlic, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom.
However, the benefits of turmeric and curcumin go beyond the culinary. For centuries, they have been employed in Indian (Ayurvedic) and Chinese medicine as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic treatments.
In light of their popularity, modern researchers have turned their attention to turmeric and curcumin in the hopes of determining their efficacy and safety--and figuring out what makes them work.
These studies have pinpointed curcumin as the beneficial ingredient. However, since the root consists of at most 5% of this component, huge amounts of turmeric would have to be consumed to take in an effective dose. What is more, bioavailability is a concern: too little is actually absorbed in the intestines to be of benefit. For these reasons, curcumin supplements are what the doctor ordered.
Results of studies demonstrate that the Indians and Chinese are onto something. An early study of patients with uveitis (an inflammation of the iris in the eye), for example, resulted in improvement following two weeks of treatment with curcumin. The herb's effectiveness was on par with corticosteroids, the most commonly prescribed medication--with none of its side effects.
Even more impressive are the findings of a review of medical literature spanning the years 1966-2002. In six trials, curcumin was determined to be safe at doses as high as 8000 mg a day. Anti-inflammatory benefits were discovered in each study, probably due to the spice's ability to inhibit molecules that trigger inflammation.
Scientists have uncovered other secrets to curcumin's success. Nuclear factor-kappa, which can switch on genes that stimulate inflammatory response, has been found to be inhibited by curcumin. In addition, a study of osteoarthritis patients found that the substance suppresses markers for inflammation by 43% to 99%, demonstrating effectiveness on a par with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--and safer.
The news keeps getting better. In 2012, researchers turned their attention to the devastating disease rheumatoid arthritis. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: those receiving curcumin, the drug diclofenac sodium, or a combination. The group receiving curcumin demonstrated the greatest improvement in disease activity, swelling, and tenderness. Even more significantly, these patients did notably better than their counterparts who took diclofenac sodium alone. And then came the icing on the cake: curcumin turned out to be a safe, side-effect-free treatment.
Researchers are turning their attention to curcumin as a possible weapon in the war against Alzheimer's disease, which starts out as inflammation in the brain. Even though results are preliminary, the use of curcumin alone or in tandem with Vitamin D3 shows promise in reducing damage caused by oxidation and protecting the brain.
Curcumin may not be the newest wonder drug on the market. However, the ingredient that gives turmeric its attractive color is proving itself to be a potent weapon in the war on inflammation and its debilitating effects on our health and the quality of our lives.
For A Therapeutic Dose
Bioglan Curcumin tablets contain 600mg of curcuminoids – highest strength in the UK market
Each tablet provides the equivalent health benefits of 12,640mg of regular turmeric powder
Formulation contains the trademarked ingredient BioPerine (black pepper) to increase absorption by up to 2000%
Clinical strength curcumin has been proven to help reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and support whole body inflammation
Curcumin is the new super-charged supplement from Bioglan and the principal curcuminoid or active compound in turmeric root, a member of the ginger family.
Favoured by herbal medicine practitioners for centuries, curcumin is commonly used for a myriad of health benefits including relief of whole body inflammation in particular joint inflammation and mobility, as well as brain and liver health.
Celebrated for its powerful natural anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties, some studies have even suggested that curcumin could be more effective in reducing osteoarthritis pain and stiffness than ibuprofen. Also praised as a natural antioxidant, curcumin can also help fight free radical damage which is the basis of all illness and pain.
What makes Bioglan Active Curcumin stand out above any product currently available in the UK is that Bioglan uses a 95% curcuminoid extract (the active ingredient) whereas regular turmeric powder is most commonly between 2-6%.
Bioglan Active Curcumin also contains a trademarked black pepper extract called BioPerineTM, which is an essential ingredient for efficient absorption of curcumin within the body. Studies have shown the addition of BioPerineTM enhances the bioavailability ofcurcumin by up to 2000%.
Bioglan Active Curcumin also contains copper to help maintain healthy connective tissues, vitamin D to support bone health and muscle function, plus vitamin C to boost collagen formation and cartilage health.
Bioglan Active Curcumin can be found exclusively at any Holland and Barret store or online for £24.99. Alternatively Bioglan Active Curcumin can be bought from the Bioglan website.