Turmeric, containing cumin and 2 other curcuminoids, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving agent. ( It is the yellow spice found in Southeast Asian food.)  I personally use cumin (in abundant amounts without any perceived detrimental effects) as a pain reliever.  I like it better than any of the over the counter pain reliever drugs. Turmeric also has a broad health benefits as reported in alternative health journals.

The Journal of Health reports in vol.3 issue 7 some well researched comprehensive benefits to your health. Modern research validates turmeric’s effectiveness, especially in the past 15 years.  Numerous studies and the experience of populations like India that have high dietary intake confirm its benefits.  East Indians have decreased Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. Here are most of the validated health benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative
• Helps blood pressure and cardiovascular health
• An excellent pain killer
• Resists DNA mutation due to oxidative damage
• Fights bacteria, viruses and fungi
• Helps balance cholesterol
• Fights Alzheimer’s disease
• Chelates copper and iron
• Aids in digestion

The overarching benefit is arguably that of reducing inflammation and free radical damage.  The significance of this is that virtually all diseases have the issue of inflammation…it is central to disease.

The unseen damage of inflammation occurs at the cellular level in the form of free radical damage.  Classic inflammation is experienced as swelling and pain in the body.

What is free radical damage?  It is the oxidative effect that damages the cellular DNA and ultimately the genetic code of the cell. Damaged cells produce disease when they multiply.  They make the cells sick so that they cannot function efficiently.  When the genetic code is damaged the rogue offspring of this cell is what defines cancer.

Virtually everyone has cancer cells in their body, but truly healthy people are able to rid their bodies of these cancer cells. A cancer needs hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of cancer cells together to form a tumor and be diagnosed as such.

To quote researcher Dr. Badmaev:  “The anti-carcinogenic activity of turmeric extract and curcuminoids may be in part explained by their well researched ability to prevent genetic mutation or mutagenesis”

How about cholesterol balance? First of all it is a well researched and proven fact that cholesterol is necessary and important for health. It is needed for proper lipid balance and for the many cortical steroid hormones as well as vitamin D. It is the core molecule for them all.

Studies show that the HDL (high density lipid) cholesterol is very good and should be in high ratio to the LDL (low density lipids).  Curcuminoids do this.

The International Journal of Vitamin Nutritional Research reports this in a small study of 10 people:  A daily dose of 500 mg of curcumin was given and it produced a 29% increase of the good HDL and significantly reduced the level of LDL. LDL’s are associated with inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.  While it is not the LDL itself that causes cardiovascular disease, it is the inflammation in the blood vessels that collects the LDL and that causes the disease.

It is the inflamed blood vessels that attract the LDL which co-relates to increased heart attack and stroke. The LDL acts like a rough bandage that can cause a clot or chip off and cause a blockage in a coronary or cerebral blood vessel.

Aside from helping cardiovascular health by keeping cholesterol healthy, curcumins lower blood pressure.  They function by inhibiting PAF (platelet activating factor).  The PAF reduces clotting tendencies. This decreases the incidence of heart attack and stroke.

The anti-inflammatory power of curcumins is believed to work in two ways. It is a free radical scavenger that is an anti-oxidant…directly reducing inflammation.  Secondly, it triggers the release of natural cortisone…probably the most powerful anti-inflammatory agent known.

More than one study has shown its anti-inflammatory benefits to arthritis sufferers. In a double blind, placebo controlled study, patients were given 300 mg of curcumin per day.  The joint swelling, stiffness and pain were all reduced.

Inflammation is a major cause of pain.  Pain is the by product of Cox 2 enzymes that produce post glandins.  Curcuminoids were studied at the famous Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Center. Their research revealed that indeed that Cox 2 was effectively reduced by curcumins.  Inflammation as well as pain was reduced.

Hundreds of studies clearly demonstrate that inflammation is at the core of cardiovascular disease. Inflammation causes high blood pressure, cholesterol plaque formation and  increased heart attack and stroke.  Anything that can safely reduce inflammation is your best friend for health against migraine headaches, cardiovascular as well as other degenerative diseases...Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

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