From Neil Patel D.C.
The use of turmeric for medicinal purposes can be seen as early as 4,000 years ago in Indian and Chinese medicine. Traditionally, turmeric has been used to prevent and manage disease processes. Now with the help from research, we can identify its role and effect on the human body.
Turmeric and its components, especially curcumin, express hundreds of therapeutic benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties just to name a few. Turmeric is abundant in Sint Maarten, cost effective and can be used on a daily basis for cooking and home remedies.
Research has identified numerous mechanisms of action for turmeric. Its role as an antioxidant is to scavenge free radicals, increase other antioxidant enzymes and inhibit damage of the cell membrane. Every day we encounter oxidative stress in the forms of stress, inflammation, pollution, diesel fumes, harsh chemical cleaning products and more. This oxidative stress causes damage to the cellular lipid membrane, DNA, disturbs enzyme reactions and damages connective tissue.
As of recent, chronic inflammation is thought to be the foundation of all disease processes. Turmeric inhibits the inflammatory by-products of enzymes, hormones and environmental factors such as nutrient depletion and excess toxicity. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been found to cross the blood brain barrier giving it potential neuro-protective factors to prevent and manage brain based-diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and dementia.
Curcumin’s antimicrobial property has been found to maintain a healthy digestive system including inhibiting the growth of various infections including Helicobacter pylori. It also has properties to restore gastric damage caused by infections and bad diets.
As you can tell, turmeric has some interesting benefits. There are many other characteristics not mentioned in this article but can be found by searching online. Turmeric can be used to season foods or simply as a home remedy in a tonic or tea on a daily basis. Both the root and the powdered spice form will give you all of the wonderful benefits of turmeric and curcumin.
