Have you been hearing a lot about turmeric these days and wondering what all the hype is about? Have you wondered if turmeric really reduces inflammation? Is turmeric good for your overall health? We’ve done a bit of research for you and are sharing some useful information about this “magic” spice and how it may be beneficial for several different health conditions.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric plant’s roots and is the main spice in curry. For thousands of years, turmeric has been used in India as a spice as well as a medicinal herb. The main active ingredient in turmeric is a yellow-colored chemical called curcumin, which is a strong antioxidant and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It is believed that turmeric can reduce inflammation, swelling, and relieve pain when ingested. The use of turmeric for inflammation is a topic that is continuously being studied.
Using Turmeric for Inflammation
When a wound turns red and swells up, radiation causes an adverse reaction in the body, or if you suffer from Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, your immune system’s responds with inflammation. It has been studied for many years that taking turmeric consistently for extended periods of time has some effect on immune system responses. The curcumin in turmeric works to suppress molecules that play a part in inflammation and stimulate your body’s own antioxidant defenses.
There are so many various ways to use turmeric for inflammation. You can add it to meals you are preparing, apply it directly to your skin for pain relief, take it as a supplement, and even used as an enema for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.
Other Health Benefits of Turmeric
The benefits that you may see as a result of incorporating turmeric into your lifestyle can be noticeable. Because the main compound in turmeric is curcumin, there is scientific evidence that it may support your overall health in many different ways.
Type 2 Diabetes
The curcumin in turmeric can help keep blood sugar levels steady, which could be helpful in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. A study showed those with prediabetes were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes when they took curcumin for 9 months straight. The curcumin helped to improve the cells that make insulin in the pancreas and could possibly slow down the development of this health condition.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another common condition known to cause inflammation of the joints. Turmeric’s properties may be even more effective to treat the symptoms than other anti-inflammatory drugs that often have side effects. Applying turmeric for inflammation directly to the skin can help ease the pain associated with stiffness in joints.
High Cholesterol
Exercising and eating healthy foods can help keep your cholesterol levels where they need to be, but taking a supplement such as turmeric with curcumin might help to reduce your numbers. One study found that it can lower LDL cholesterol and possibly have heart-protective qualities.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Currently, turmeric is being studied as a possible treatment for those with medical conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. In previous research, it was found that turmeric helped to improve abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome as well as diarrhea. A turmeric enema has also been shown to be effective for some. However, as with any study, more research is needed.
Turmeric Used in Skin Care
Turmeric is widely used in India as an ingredient in skin care lotions and masks. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, some report that applying this formula to the skin can help fight acne and other skin conditions such as dryness and age spots.
Turmeric for Bladder Inflammation
When bacteria enters the bladder, it becomes irritated and inflamed, sometimes causing urge incontinence. When a person experiences a urinary tract infection, it can cause pain and discomfort. Since Turmeric is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, it can be used to help prevent infections, such as bladder infections, from happening in the first place.
How Much Turmeric Should You Take?
As with any supplement, including turmeric with curcumin, always consult your doctor about how you should be incorporating it into your diet and lifestyle. If you are taking certain medications, you will always want to be aware of the potential side effects that turmeric might have. Be cautious with combining turmeric with any medication and speak to your health care provider first.
Turmeric for Inflammation Recipes
We’ve put together some healthy recipes that use turmeric and may help fight inflammation. Turmeric is fat-soluble, so eating it with high-quality fat may help with its absorption in the body. Enjoy!
Turmeric Latte
Pineapple Bloat-Buster Smoothie
No-Bake Energy Bites w/ Turmeric
At Personally Delivered, we offer many products that can be used in conjunction with adding turmeric for inflammation and help with infection prevention to your lifestyle. Urinary incontinence due to the aforementioned bladder inflammation condition can cause the need to use pads, liners, or protective underwear. Give us a call and one of our Product Experts can speak to you about your symptoms and help you find the products you may need.
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