Turmeric, sometimes called Indian saffron or curry spice, is a yellow coloured root in the ginger family that has been used in both cooking and medicine, specifically Ayurvedic medicine, since ancient times. But recent research has found that it can be an effective treatment for a wide range of health conditions. So, to demonstrate how this is one of the most powerful of all the world’s medicinal herbs and spices, here are 10 health benefits of turmeric you probably didn’t know about.

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10 Incredible Health Benefits of Turmeric

Read on to discover some of the little-known ways turmeric can help our health.

1) Anti-Inflammation

Inflammation, or swelling, is one of the ways the body heals itself. But excessive inflammation can create long-term problems. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that have been found to be as effective at reducing swelling as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).

2) Pain Relief

If left untreated, the swelling can cause chronic pain. Frequent use of turmeric can help reduce pain symptoms resulting from a wide range of conditions. In fact, this is one of the initial uses of turmeric in ancient Indian medicine.

3) Digestive Relief

The combination of nutrients in turmeric can help facilitate good digestive health, something that is necessary for the body to function at full capacity.

4) Anti-Oxidants

Free radicals coming from a wide range of toxins put oxidative stress on the body, which can create all sorts of problems, ranging from low energy to poor immune health. Turmeric has been found to be a powerful antioxidant, helping the body better defend itself against the wear and tear of everyday life.

5) Brain Function and Memory

Turmeric has been found to increase levels of the hormone NDNF in the brain, which is responsible for overall brain function as well as memory capacity and many other cognitive functions.

6) Mood and Depression

Turmeric has been found to be as effective as prescription anti-depressants such as Prozac, but it doesn’t come with anywhere near the same amount of side effects.

7) Alzheimer’s Disease

Because of its ability to promote NDNF in the brain, turmeric has also been found to be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most devastating diseases facing the elderly around the world.

8) Obesity

Turmeric has been found to not only prevent the growth of fat cells in rats, suggesting it could help prevent obesity, but it also helps prevent insulin resistance, lower blood pressure and reduce levels of cholesterol in the body. This makes it not only an effective way to prevent obesity, but also a treatment for the many conditions that can occur from being overweight.

9) Cancer

Turmeric can help reduce the growth rates of cancer cells, suggesting it could be an effective and far less risky cancer treatment, especially for some of the more common forms of cancer such as breast cancer. This is one of the more promising health effects of turmeric, and a lot of attention is being given to understanding how this treatment can be made more effective.

10) Endometriosis

This is a condition affecting some 10 per cent of women around the world. Symptoms can range from mild pain to infertility, and the use of turmeric for endometriosis has become an effective treatment option, with far fewer side effects than traditional therapies.

Some Notes on Turmeric

While turmeric can help with all of these conditions, it might not be the only way to treat what you have. Seek medical advice to determine what the best course of action is.

Turmeric is effective because of the rhizome curcumin longa, which is found in turmeric, but sometimes only in small quantities. To enjoy all the positive effects of curcumin, you may want to use turmeric extracts, which often contain black pepper, something that has been found to help the body absorb curcumin.

Together, turmeric and curcumin can help treat a wide range of health conditions. Consider adding it to your diet so that you can live healthier and happier.

Thomas Robson-Kanu

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