Health Benefits of Tumeric
• Antioxidant Protection
• Provides Liver Support
• Contains Detoxifying Properties
Tumeric, a common spice used in curry dishes, has become a popular herbal supplement due to its potential antioxidant properties, which may contribute to brain health.
Metabolic inflammation is like an inner fire you can’t see, but which can slowly compromise your health. Due to multiple stressors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, environmental toxins and daily stress, many people are affected without even knowing it. Yet, inflammation is a common and serious problem leading to altered body chemistry and possibly even future health challenges.
Turmeric has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners in India since 1900 B.C. Traders brought this powerful herb to China in 700 A.D. Since then it has been used traditionally around the world in many cultures for supporting health. It is now a staple in the diets of many cultures. After the turmeric root is processed to powder, it becomes a deep, orange-yellow and is often used to impart color to mustard or fabric. Today, turmeric is the subject of much scientific research into its potential health benefits. During research, it was discovered that curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric. Studies show curcumin is responsible for most of the biological activity of turmeric, and is proactive in maintaining human health. Turmeric Extract is standardized to 95% curcumin.
Inflammation is part of the body’s innate healing process. The body goes through a number of natural stages to handle external attacks as part of the immune process. In contrast, metabolic inflammation is the body’s natural response to unnatural conditions. Modern environmental conditions such as junk food, toxic chemicals, and sedentary or stressful lifestyles all impact the human body negatively and may alter human biochemistry. These conditions can trigger the inflammatory cascade, the precursor to metabolic inflammation. Unlike normal immune responses, the process of metabolic inflammation may lead to suboptimal health.
Turmeric has demonstrated it supports a healthy inflammation response in a variety of scientific studies. The COX-2 enzymes are the primary instigators of the inflammatory cascade that leads to metabolic inflammation. These enzymes are activated when the phospholipids, especially phospholipase A-2, are stimulated by an inflammatory insult. Phospholipase A-2 then triggers the arachidonic acid pathway and begins producing COX-2 enzymes in cell membranes. When turmeric is present, it acts to inhibit the action of phospholipase A-2 and interrupts the escalation of the inflammatory cycle. Additionally, compounds called cytokines can also lead to inflammation. Cytokines are chemical messengers produced by the immune system to regulate defensive activity when they are stimulated. Constant stress can shift this system out of balance, resulting in inflammation. When turmeric is consumed, it begins to assist the body’s inhibition of cytokine activity to support healthy inflammation response.
Antioxidants are the selfless bodyguards of your cells. They donate their own electrons to stabilize free radicals in your body. After antioxidants donate electrons and neutralize free radicals, they become oxidized and spent. For this reason, they must be continually supplemented to maintain a stable antioxidant level and protect cellular integrity. Clinical studies have substantiated that the curcumin in turmeric exerts very powerful antioxidant effects. Curcumin achieves this by neutralizing free radicals, which can cause great damage to healthy cells and cell membranes. Extensive research also revealed that when turmeric is introduced to the inflammatory pathway, it inhibited the activation of the IKK enzyme, which in turn, activates Nuclear Factor kappa B(NF kB), notorious for inducing cellular inflammation.
