Turmeric the superstar spice

Turmeric the superstar spice

by — September 13, 2020
  • Turmeric the superstar.
  • Often called “the Indian solid gold“, with superpowers that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and common types of cancer.
  • It gets its bright yellow pigment from an ingredient called curcumin, which is the essential part that gives turmeric its Alzheimer’s and cancer fighting power.
  • This spice originates from tropical South Asia, and is extremely popular in India. Studies have shown that the cancer and Alzheimer’s rates in India is 10-20 times less than that of Americans.
  • Turmeric is one the most researched plants in the world.
  • Its medicinal properties have been the subject of over 6000 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies.
  • It is armed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which fight diseases like Alzheimer’s and common cancer.
  • It is truly a superstar spice, and new studies show that it can even kill multiple myeloma cells. 
  •  So what makes this spice so “super?”
  • The orange root of the turmeric plant contains polyphenol compounds called circuminoids.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties:
  • Ciruminoids have extremely strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are the properties that fight Alzheimer’s and common cancer.
  • They have been shown to decrease brain tumor size in animals by 81 percent in more than 9 studies..
  • May help with breast cancer:
  • The spice has also been shown to help prevent breast cancer. Curcumin has been found to possess properties that reduce the expression of deadly molecules within cancer cells, and can potentially slow the spread of breast cancer.
  • Cold and flu fighter:
  • Turmeric powder has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties comparable to steroidal and non-steroidal drugs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen). This also makes it an ideal antiseptic used in home remedies for wounds and is great in a hot tea to help fight cold and flu symptoms.
  • Help fight Alzeimer’s disease:
  • It reduces the inflammation, oxidation, and amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • It acts as a powerful antioxidant whose free-radical-scavenging activity exceeds that of vitamin C and most polyphenols, including vitamin E and the catechins in tea and the and flavanols in cocoa and dark chocolate.
  • Heart Health:
  • It protects the cardiovascular system by lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels, reversing cell-membrane damage, and inhibiting inflammation and platelet aggregation.
  • How to use turmeric in food:
  • Turmeric’s powerful properties are best absorbed by the body when eaten with fish, or taken as fish oil, as stated by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s patient-encyclopedia on turmeric: “A lipid base of lecithin, fish oils or essential fatty acids may also be used to enhance absorption.”
  • Turmeric is best used in its natural organic form or as a powder. It is also available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.
  • TIP: It is recommended to add it in hot foods or cook it for a few minutes to get the full health benefits. Add 1 tsp to your favorite tea, smoothie, juice, soup or fish recipe.
  • Make sure you get it from a reliable source like Living Tree Community Foods.
  • Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it is fun to find new ways to include it in recipes.
  • As always: Check with your health practitioner before you change your diet and see if this is right for you. This is not meant to replace any treatment or drugs you are taking.   
  • For the health benefits of turmeric.
  • For a turmeric milk recipe.
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  • REFERENCES:
    1. “Natural Cancer-Fighting Spice Reduces Tumors by 81%.” Natural Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
  • 2. “UCLA Study Finds Primary Component of Turmeric Kicks off Cancer-killing Mechanisms in Human Saliva.” www.cancer.gov. National Cancer Institute, 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 05 Feb. 2014.
  • 3. Aggarwal, S., H. Ichikawa, Y. Takada, SK Sandur, S. Shishodia, and BB Aggarwal. “Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) Down-regulates Expression of Cell Proliferation and Antiapoptotic and Metastatic Gene Products through Suppression of IkappaBalpha Kinase and Akt Activation.” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. N.p., 11 Oct. 2005. Web. 05 Feb. 2014
  • 4. “Ingredient in Common Kitchen Spice Turmeric When Combined with Anti-nausea Medication Thalidomide Effectively Kills Cancer Cells.” Massey News. Massey News, 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.
    5. Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Multiple Myeloma.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug. 2011. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.
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