What’s turmeric?
Turmeric is a popular staple ingredient in curries that belongs to the ginger family. Curcumin, on the other hand, is the yellow substance in the flowering plant turmeric. Turmeric and curcumin are a powerful duo with anti-inflammatory benefits, which can increase the antioxidants in the body.
Notably used in traditional medicine to treat many illnesses and other medical conditions, turmeric and curcumin contain the greatest effects in promoting health advantages.
In such wise, aside from the distinct tasty color and flavor that they produced in recipes, they also carry the most beneficial elements in health promotion.
Do Turmeric and Curcumin Effects Work?
For decades, turmeric and curcumin are the most active and highly potent beneficial spices used from generation to generation. The popular duo received impressive receptions for producing successful health benefits with the most effective supplements in nutritional health benefits that ever existed.
The effects of turmeric and curcumin work effectively as a majority of generations strikingly used them most often in different ways, such as in cooking and traditional medicine. They offer paramount benefits for the body and brain, and thus, explain why these two spices are popular.
Major Health and Medical Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin
Taken together, here are the benefits of turmeric and curcumin, health and medical-wise. This anti-inflammatory compound offers more than that. With this, below is a list of the widely known advantages of this powerful duo over time.
Prevents Cancer
Curcumin in turmeric is a relevant name in cancer topics. High-quality studies showed that cancers seem to get affected by the yellow substance spice. By saying so, studies also say that curcumin is a beneficial herb to treat cancers. This is why curcumin became popular in health and medicine.
Based on the studies conducted by experts, curcumin appears to affect the growth and spread of cancer cells. It highly contributes to the extermination of cancer cells. Curcumin also shows a significant reduction in the development of new blood vessels in the abnormal muscle mass, referred to as tumors.
Evidence proves that curcumin prevents cancer cells from ever-occurring, and colon cancer is among the names that came out from the studies. It appears to stop cancer from happening, especially those cancers relating to the digestive system.
Potent Anti-Inflammatory Compound
As mentioned earlier, turmeric is rich in curcumin which is notable for its high-potent natural anti-inflammatory compound. Inflammation is the reaction of the body as it fights infections and injuries. It plays a crucial role in damage cell repair and protection from unwanted bacteria.
On that account, experts believe in the importance of anti-inflammatory compounds, like curcumin in turmeric. Hence, these spices received high acclaim as it beats chronic inflammation to prevent and treat various illnesses.
Powerful Antioxidant
The curcumin in turmeric also offers powerful antioxidants. It increases the level of antioxidants in the body, neutralizing the free radicals present in oxidative stress that causes aging and various diseases.
Using curcumin can greatly help in balancing out the free radicals to protect your body from illnesses. With this benefit, curcumin also helps fight diseases related to aging, and therefore, delays the aging process.
Puissant in Lowering Risks of Heart Diseases
Inarguably, the common cause of death for years to date is heart disease. It comprises a lot of complicated things that contribute to its existence. Curcumin shows staggering results in helping reverse the process that goes about heart diseases.
The primary benefit of including curcumin in your diet is that it improves the endothelium or the blood vessel’s lining functions. Dysfunctions occurring in the endothelial area are among the major factors that can trigger heart diseases. Malfunctions in the endothelium create deregulation of blood pressure that may lead to blood clotting and other cardiovascular problems.
Powerful Treatment for Arthritis
Joint inflammation, like arthritis, is a common issue among many people. As mentioned above, curcumin in turmeric is a remarkable anti-inflammatory compound, which makes it a powerful treatment for arthritis and other inflammation in the joints.
People and studies came down to the same ground that curcumin is way more potent than anti-inflammatory drugs.
Potent Brain Booster
The curcumin in turmeric boosts the level of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF), which aids in the brain’s full functional capabilities. Hence, curcumin also helps in lowering the risks of brain diseases, including age-related conditions. Moreover, turmeric and curcumin improve memory functions, leading you to become smarter.
Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease
Curcumin also helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease with its potent brain booster. As discussed earlier, its power to defy age-related diseases can aid in one’s longevity.
Puissant Treatment for Skin Problems
With their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric and curcumin can also aid in giving you healthy skin. It’s also a popular effective treatment for various skin conditions that including psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Potent Treatment for Depression
The health benefits of curcumin in turmeric also include fighting depression, as the level of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) increases, which contributes greatly to mood regulations.
Powerful Long-Term Treatment Osteoarthritis
The anti-inflammatory potency of curcumin in turmeric brings effective treatment to ease the symptoms or manifestations of osteoarthritis.
Undoubtedly, turmeric and curcumin contain powerful substances in boost health conditions.
Curcumin Supplements
The good thing now is that curcumin supplements are available in the market. Aside from the curcumin spice that you place in your curry or any recipe you prepare, you can also get it through supplements.
By saying this attribute, curcumin is not only a staple ingredient in cooking but a necessary addition to health supplements. Curcumin supplements come in capsules and are available in respective stores, pharmacies, and online, as well.
Does Turmeric Help Sexually?
Studies showed that turmeric can help sexually for both men and women. This beneficial herb belongs to the top-notch class of herbs that provides balance in the body system. As the study of this curry ingredient staple reveals, turmeric helps in balancing the hormones related to sexual health.
Men’s testosterone and women’s estrogen are substantial hormones that drive to achieve vibrant sexually healthy relations. For men, turmeric provides the following benefits:
Improves Men’s Sexual Performance
Turmeric contains plenty of health benefits, and among them, is slowing and preventing men’s urges. This ingredient staple raises the amounts of nitric oxide in men’s blood which highly contributes to men’s sexual pleasure.
Helps in Balancing Testosterone
It is a fact that stress greatly causes a drastic decrease in men’s main sex hormone testosterone. Particularly, oxidative stress, which occurs in men’s testicular cells, is a significant factor in slowing the sexual urges of men.
Promotes Healthy Prostate
With turmeric and curcumin’s antioxidant properties, it highly contributes to men’s healthy prostate.
For women, turmeric and curcumin promote tremendous sexual health benefits:
Highly Contributes to Healthy Estrogen Balance
The healthy properties present in turmeric and curcumin promote proper balance in women’s estrogens and greatly affect the female’s sexual urges.
Increase Chances of Fertility
Turmeric enormously helps in boosting women’s reproductive health conditions. Thus, it increases the chances of women’s fertility.
Alleviate Menstrual Pain
Another relevant health benefit of turmeric is alleviating or reducing women’s menstrual pain. The antispasmodic element in turmeric is immensely helpful in the alleviation of women’s menstrual cramps.
Is it Safe to Take Turmeric Every Day?
Understanding the health benefits that turmeric brings to the table, a lot of people are asking if it is safe to take it every day. It is safe to consume great amounts of turmeric that is found in dishes, like in curries.
However, turmeric supplements may need to be taken in minimum dosages. One should follow the label on turmeric supplements to avoid unnecessary side effects.
What about the studies of turmeric?
Nonetheless, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided the amount that an individual should take per day. According to WHO, the acceptable daily dosage that a person should take turmeric per day is equivalent to 1.14 mg/lb. of a consumer’s body weight, and most importantly, taking high dosages of turmeric in the long duration is not advisable.
What are the Side Effects of Turmeric?
Like what they say, too much of something is bad enough, and the same thing goes with taking turmeric. Here are important details that you should know about the side effects of this flowering plant.
Intake
Taking turmeric through food and supplements is likely safe. Generally, turmeric and curcumin don’t pose any critical side effects. However, some people reported that they experienced diarrhea, feeling too faint, nausea and stomach upset.
Some people experienced an abnormal heartbeat when they took more than 1500 milligrams of turmeric supplements in one day.
Topical Application
When it comes to topical application, it is safe to put turmeric on the skin. Studies also showed that applying it as a mouthwash appears to be safe too. There are no side effects known.
Rectum Injection
Turmeric seems to be safe as well when it’s applied through the enema procedure, which is a rectum injection. There are also no known side effects of using this method.
As a further matter, here are a few special precautions that people should know and consider before taking turmeric and curcumin.
Pregnancy or Breast-Feeding Moms
It is likely safe for pregnant women or breastfeeding moms to take turmeric through food recipes. However, it is not advisable to take it as medicine.
Diabetic Individuals
Curcumin in turmeric may possibly decrease blood sugar, which is dangerous for diabetic individuals to have their blood sugar extremely low.
Gallbladder Issues
People who have gallbladder problems are advised not to take turmeric as it may the condition worse.
Surgical Operations
For those who are going to undergo surgical operations, it is recommended not to take turmeric a couple of weeks before the scheduled date, as it may slow the blood clotting process and cause additional bleeding.
Stomach Problems
Turmeric shouldn’t be taken by individuals who have stomach problems, such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), as it may cause stomach upset.
What Kind of Medicines Should Not be Taken with Turmeric?
As important as knowing the side effects, it is also necessary to learn the medicines that should not be taken with turmeric and curcumin. People who are presently taking medications, or being treated with prescriptions listed below, should not take or use the flowering plant or its bioactive subject.
You may consult your attending physicians or your healthcare provider about taking or using turmeric and curcumin. Without further ado, here are a few medicines or medications that shouldn’t be taken with turmeric.
Prescription Drugs for Diabetic Patients
As noted previously, turmeric has the tendency to lower blood sugar, and thus, when people are taking prescription drugs to control diabetes, it is not advisable to take this herb. Turmeric may only make the effects of the drugs for diabetes stronger and more powerful, which may lead to hypoglycemia.
Medications for Blood-Thinning
Taking turmeric when you are on medications for blood thinning isn’t advisable either, as it can increase the risks of bleeding. The blood-thinning medicines include the following, among many others.
- Aspirin
- Clopidogrel or Plavix
- Warfarin or Coumadin
Medicines Used to Treat Stomach Acid
Turmeric and curcumin may interfere with the effects of the medicines for stomach acid, as they may increase the acid level. These drugs are as follows:
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Omeprazole
- Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
- Famotidine (Pepcid)
- Esomeprazole (Nexium)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Should I take turmeric in the morning or at night?
The timing of turmeric consumption depends on personal preferences and health considerations. There is no strict rule about whether you should take turmeric in the morning or at night. Here are some factors to consider:
Consistency: If you choose to take turmeric as a supplement, it’s important to be consistent with your intake. Whether you prefer to take it in the morning or at night, try to establish a routine that you can stick to.
Personal Response: Some people find that taking turmeric in the morning helps them start the day feeling refreshed and energized. Others prefer taking it at night to potentially support relaxation. Pay attention to how your body responds and choose a time that suits you.
Digestive Considerations: If you experience any stomach discomfort after taking turmeric, you may want to consider taking it with food. This can help enhance its absorption and reduce the risk of digestive issues.
Interaction with Medications: If you are taking turmeric for its potential health benefits, consider whether the timing might interact with any medications you are taking. For example, if you are on medications that need to be taken on an empty stomach, you might want to avoid taking turmeric at the same time.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You can experiment with both morning and evening intake and observe how your body responds. If you have any specific health concerns or are on medication, it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice on the timing of turmeric consumption.
Is Turmeric Bad for Your Kidneys?
After knowing the side effects and medicines that shouldn’t be taken along with turmeric and curcumin, another question relevantly asked by many people is if turmeric is bad for kidneys.
Some people who suffer from kidney diseases opt for herbs, such as turmeric and curcumin. Nevertheless, studies showed that turmeric and curcumin provide relief to some of the symptoms relating to kidney diseases. An evident study shows that curcumin, which is the active compound that turmeric contains, can help to slow down the progression of kidney diseases.
In another study, there’s a case that turmeric and curcumin may possibly increase the risks of renal failure. Hence, it is best to talk to your doctor if you are taking prescriptions.
What should you not mix with turmeric?
Turmeric is generally safe for consumption, but there are certain considerations regarding its combination with certain substances or conditions. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. However, here are some general points to keep in mind:
Blood-Thinning Medications: Turmeric may have mild blood-thinning properties. If you’re taking blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder, consult your healthcare provider before consuming large amounts of turmeric.
Iron Supplements: Turmeric may interfere with the absorption of iron, so it’s recommended to avoid taking high doses of turmeric with iron supplements.
Stomach Issues: In some individuals, turmeric may cause stomach upset or acid reflux. If you have a history of gastrointestinal issues, it’s wise to monitor your body’s response to turmeric consumption.
Gallbladder Issues: Turmeric may stimulate the production of bile. If you have gallbladder problems, consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating turmeric into your diet.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: While turmeric is generally considered safe in small amounts as a spice in food, pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before taking turmeric supplements in medicinal amounts.
Diabetes Medications: Turmeric may lower blood sugar levels. If you’re taking medications for diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely and consult your healthcare provider.
What Spices Are Good for Kidneys?
In another study, there’s a case that turmeric and curcumin may possibly increase the risks of renal failure. Hence, it is best to talk to your doctor if you are taking prescriptions. So, for a better understanding and safety precautions, here are some of the spices and herbs that are friendly to kidneys, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).
- Basil
The NFK organization listed basil as among the most kidney-friendly herbs and spices. Aside from adding flavors to your food, it doesn’t produce additional phosphorus and potassium.
- Chili
One of the best sources of vitamin A is chili pepper. It greatly contributes to healthy eyes and skin. Chili is also helpful in boosting metabolism. However, too much chili consumption is not good. People who have kidney failure shouldn’t be taking so much chili.
- Cinnamon
The cinnamon spice helps in blood sugar regulation and can be added to whatever you want in your diet.
- Garlic
Another popular herb that also provides a mouthful of antioxidant and antibacterial health benefits aside from boosting your recipe’s flavor and nutrients is garlic.
- Oregano
Oregano belongs to the family of leafy greens that produce a high level of vitamin K and contribute to healthy blood and bone.
- Rosemary
This popular herb provides support to healthy memory, cognition, and brain functions. The rosemary is a notable addition to any chicken and vegetable soup recipe.
Conclusion
To sum things up, curcumin is the primary active ingredient in turmeric. More so, turmeric and curcumin provide wide-ranging health benefits aside from being popular ingredients in various food preparations that include different curry recipes.
Turmeric and curcumin are more than just staple ingredients to your favorite chicken and beef curries because they contain a paramount of health benefits, and this is why they’re notable names in traditional medicine.
Other than that, turmeric and curcumin can be taken through an intake, a topical application, and a rectum injection. Speaking of which, curcumin supplements are available for sale.
Even so, there are limitations to the dosage and duration of taking medicinal turmeric and curcumin supplements. Furthermore, as much as the health benefits they provide, they still have side effects. Therefore, it is always best to ask your attending physician or doctor about it.
