Background:

Most people are familiar with turmeric for its unique flavor and its presence in Indian cuisine. Turmeric is a spice native to Southeast Asia. It has been used for both medicinal and culinary purposes.

Health Benefits:

Curcumin, one of turmeric’s most active components, makes up to 3-5% of the spice. As a polyphenol, curcumin has powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It has the ability to stabilize free radicals, which can damage the body’s cells. Additionally, curcumin can help support brain health and delay cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin also seems to have anti-rheumatic and anti-arthritic effects, possibly through down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines.

It has been demonstrated in an animal study that curcumin is able to significantly lower triglycerides and free fatty acids. This is a promising result, indicating curcumin’s potential for treating obesity and associated diseases. In other animal studies, curcumin showed a chemopreventive effect in areas such as the colon, stomach, and esophagus.

How to take turmeric?

Despite the health benefits that can be obtained from turmeric, some people may be unfamiliar on how to incorporate it into their cooking. Easy ways to use it is by adding it to tea or a smoothie for vibrant color or by cooking it into different dishes such as egg dishes, roasting veggies, or curries.

Additionally, turmeric comes in a capsule form, fluid extract or as a tincture. According to the University of Maryland’s Medical Center, the recommended dose for adults is as follows:

One thing to keep in mind is that turmeric is a fat-soluble spice. Research has shown that around only 1% is absorbed through the digestive system. To address this concern, a number of methods have been used to help increase turmeric’s bioavailability (ability to reach the bloodstream):

• Adding black pepper: Studies have found that piperine, a major component in black pepper, may increase the bioavailability.
• Consume with fats.
• Heat it up: According to one study, boiling turmeric for 10 minutes will increase solubility, which could help elevate absorption.
• Turmeric Oral Spray – Pioneering Encapsulation Technology (Cyclocurmin): it is a process used by extracting the three active curcuminoids and then encapsulating them in a naturally derived starch known as cyclodextrin.

What are the precautions when taking this product?