Turmeric Health Benefit – Impressive Results From Recent Studies

If I had to pick just one turmeric health benefit to write about, it would be tough. There are dozens of potential benefits. Here’s a look at the results that have been seen in some of the most recent studies. The plant has been around forever, but research began in earnest in recent years.

In September 2009, researchers at Nanjing University reported that curcumin, the active compound found in the spice turmeric, regulates a gene responsible for the growth of malignant tumors. The researchers concluded that curcumin might be useful in treating malignant tumors.

In the same month and year, researchers in India were able to show that curcumin was safe in therapeutic doses and even very high doses. Therefore, it is possible that the compound can be used without risk of the side effects seen with chemotherapy.

Another study conducted in September 2009 in Korea showed that the nutrient inhibits the movement or spread of oral cancer cells. The researchers also showed how the compound was able to achieve those results. Mainly, it suppresses inflammatory responses.

If I had to choose one health benefit of turmeric over another due to its importance, it might be the anti-inflammatory activity. In recent years, researchers have determined that inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of a variety of cancer types. It also plays a role in age-related heart disease and is one of the causes of aging in general.

But curcumin’s anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities are just two of the benefits; there are many others May be beneficial in reducing risk and treating Alzheimer’s disease. It can work against some of the viruses that we’ve had a hard time dealing with, like HIV and hepatitis.

Another health benefit of turmeric is interesting from a dietary point of view. Curcumin has antibiotic activity. It is thought that adding it to foods could reduce the risk of foodborne pathogens, thereby reducing the risk of food poisoning.

Benefits have been seen in stroke patients in reducing brainstem lesions. Suppression of prostate and breast cancer growth has been observed. But it’s important to remember that all of these findings are preliminary. Turmeric may not have any health benefits in humans.

Research has also shown that curcumin is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It is quickly exchanged for gastric acid in a form that will not pass through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream.

These studies indicate that the ancient use of the plant may not be supported after all. They also indicate that in order to be beneficial to human health, the nutrient must be protected from gastric acid and/or bioavailability must be enhanced in some way.

An enteric coating will protect against stomach acid, but to improve bioavailability, other nutrients must be present. So if you want the health benefit of turmeric, you’ll need to learn a little more about how to get it.