Turmeric health benefits

The health benefits of turmeric are numerous. This spice in root or powder form is kept in Indian households as a go-to home remedy for various conditions.

1. Turmeric applied topically helps disinfect and heal wounds, cuts and minor injuries.

2. Turmeric is used to clear skin of pimples and acne. For this it is applied to the skin as well as consumed.

3. It is used as a blood cleanser - which also accounts for its ability to improve skin conditions.

4. Helps to detoxify the liver.

5. Turmeric is used as a spice in almost all Indian cooking. Apart from flavor and coloring, some of the reasons attributed to it are that it is anti-bacterial and a food preservative.

6. The low incidence of Alzheimers disease in India is attributed to Turmeric and its anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Turmeric is very useful in drawing out pus from boils and reducing the swelling.

8. Several research studies have shown the benefits of turmeric with regards to various types of cancer.

9. Various health conditions caused by inflammation can benefit from turmeric.

Turmeric should not be taken by those who are taking blood thinners or who have gall stone. Turmeric is a uterine stimulant and therefore may not be suitable for pregnant women.

More information on Turmeric

Turmeric prevents Alzheimers | Reduce and reverse brain plaque

At The World Alzheimer’s Conference held in Washington DC the fact was brought up that the rate of occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years for those between 65-85 years of age but if its onset were delayed by five years, the number of cases worldwide would be halved. It has been indicated that Alzheimer's disease is caused by genetics as well as environmental factors. While genes cannot be changed, environmental factors can certainly be controlled.

Some communities in Asia and Africa have a much lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. In fact Alzheimer's is extremely uncommon in India where the incidence is only 1% of the population aged 65 and above. Research into this remarkable fact has led scientists to conclude that the spice turmeric which is ubiquitously used in Indian curries is the predominant cause that prevents Alzheimer's in the Indian population.

Curcumin which is a bioactive phytochemical present in Turmeric has been the subject of many studies. It has been shown to lower amyloid deposits (brain plaque), lowers oxidative cell damage, cognitive deficits and synaptic marker loss. Not only does it reduce but it has also been shown to reverse neural plaque. Turmeric has been shown to stop the progression of multiple sclerosis as well as to prevent the production of the IL-2 protein that destroys myelin which protects nerves.

Researchers at UCLA found that curcumin inhibited amyloid protein accumulation and dissolved amyloid fibrils more efficiently than the anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen. It was also found that curcumin crosses the blood brain barrier and binds to small amyloid-Â protein fragments which can then no longer join with each other to form plaques. Curcumin also provides additional protection to brain cells on account of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Turmeric can be had as a fresh root or in powdered form. It is a staple ingredient in most Indian recipes and can simply be added to food. It can also be taken in capsule form as a supplement.