TURMERIC (Turmeric) powder

Turmeric is related to ginger and has been used as a dye (it gives a bright color) and as a therapeutic agent. In cooking, it replaces saffron due to its low cost and is one of the bases of most curry mixtures.

Properties:
Appetizer, anti-inflammatory, blood circulation stimulant, antioxidant, anticancer, antiarthritic, antiatherosclerotic, antidepressant, antiaging, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, wound healing, memory enhancer, chemoprotective, antineoplastic, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulator, neuroprotective and tissue protector

Therapeutic use

In traditional Indian medicine, this plant-spice has been used to treat various ailments, such as:

• gynecological problems
• gastrointestinal problems
• liver disorders
• infectious diseases
• hematological disorders
• acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, rash
• proinflammatory diseases
• cancers
• neurodegenerative diseases
• depression
• diabetes
• obesity
• atherosclerosis
  

Some of the proven health benefits of Turmeric (and curcumin) are:

• Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF , which increases the growth of new neurons and may help fight various degenerative processes in your brain .
• Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease.
• Curcumin leads to many changes at the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.
• Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer's disease.
• It can help treat arthritis symptoms and, in some cases, is more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
• A study in 60 people with depression showed that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in relieving symptoms of the condition.

Culinary use
Often used as a substitute for saffron. A key ingredient in curries and Worcestershire sauce. Goes well with seafood, rice dishes, ragouts, eggs and mustard sauces. Turmeric reduces the spiciness of pepper.

How is it used?
Add up to 3 grams of grated organic turmeric to your food or drink per day in two or more doses (half a teaspoon 2-3 times a day).

How do we improve the bioavailability of curcumin*

1. If we add a little ground black pepper to the turmeric powder in a ratio of 2%, we increase its bioavailability.
2. The same happens if we add some healthy fat such as coconut oil , avocado, nut butter, coconut or almond milk.
3. Heating enhances the overall antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin,

* Note: Many studies have addressed the low bioavailability of curcumin, which is why innovative products such as liposomal curcumin, curcumin nanomicelles, etc. have been developed.

However, turmeric is more than just curcumin . There are over 100 compounds in turmeric root that have been found to have potent pharmacological properties. When the root is processed, many of these compounds are lost, and some supplements contain only the extracted chemical curcumin. Traditional medicine has always used the whole turmeric root , and research suggests that the various compounds work synergistically with each other and can help with the absorption of curcumin. Certain combinations of curcuminoids produce more biological activity than any one curcuminoid used alone . Many practitioners recommend using the whole turmeric root for cooking as well as supplementation for health reasons. This reflects the belief that whole plants are usually better than isolated products. So another way to enhance curcumin absorption is to eat turmeric in its natural form, as Mother Nature intended.

Special precautions
Historically, turmeric has been considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, although because it has been found to stimulate the uterus, its use should be done with particular caution during pregnancy.
Turmeric can cause nausea on an empty stomach.
Consult a specialist before using turmeric if you have a bile problem, diabetes, blood circulation problems, if you are taking anticoagulant medications, and if you are about to have surgery.

Indicative bibliography

• Curcumin, inflammation, and chronic diseases: how are they linked?
• Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin
• Memory and Brain Amyloid and Tau Effects of a Bioavailable Form of Curcumin in Non-Demented Adults: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 18-Month Trial
• Curcumin Alters Neural Plasticity and Viability of Intact Hippocampal Circuits and Attenuates Behavioral Despair and COX-2 Expression in Chronically Stressed Rats
• Curcumin, the golden nutraceutical: multitargeting for multiple chronic diseases
• Curcumin and Cancer
• Curcumin inhibits angiogenesis in endothelial cells using downregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
• The Problem of Curcumin and Its Bioavailability: Could Its Gastrointestinal Influence Contribute to Its Overall Health-Enhancing Effects?