Turmeric: Nature's Wonder Drug - Or Not?

Unless you've been living underground, you have likely heard an overwhelming amount of information related to turmeric this past year. Somewhere along the way it was awarded super-spice status and now can be found almost anywhere you look, from supplements, to grocery store products, to even toothpaste!

The benefits of this wonder-spice are mainly anti-inflammatory in nature and for that it has been reported helpful in many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and possibly even cancer. In Indian culture they even use it topically to speed wound healing. What can't this spice do?

Recently, however, a report came out saying that we were duped. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has little bioactive activity in the body. The report pointed out few studies showing curcumin itself to have any health benefits, and that in fact the compound often breaks down before it can elicit any sort of positive health impact.{1}

Oh no! How could we have gone so far astray, especially regarding an ancient spice that has been used for centuries therapeutically in other countries? Is it simply placebo effect.

Let's hold up for just one second. For starters, before we go dumping all our turmeric capsules down the toilet, let's read the article fully. What exactly are they saying?

Pay careful attention to the wording. The author in this article is mainly discussing the inability to successfully create a drug utilising curcumin. Essentially they are saying we have been unable to isolate this active compound in such a way that has a positive and reproducible effect in the human body. Instead of acting on a target protein as they had hoped, the compound broke down and apparently produced no anti-inflammatory result. The article then goes on to say that we have very few published studies to show any benefits from turmeric, and specifically, curcumin usage, so in their conclusion, the time and money spent on turmeric is worthless.

That is all very interesting, however it is also misleading. First of all, just because they cannot isolate curcumin in a stable form suitable as a drug does not mean that curcumin does not work. The body, as we discover daily, works in mysterious ways. Simply because curcumin does not work on one specific target protein does not mean that it is not producing health benefits by other means.

Secondly, we do in fact have some studies to show beneficial effects. Do a quick search on PubMed and you will see what I mean. Some of these studies use the isolated curcumin, and others use the turmeric whole. Both do have research to show some effectiveness. One study, in fact, showed that turmeric was just as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain from osteoarthritis.{2} That is exciting news if you ask me! In fact there are many studies showing positive outcomes with arthritis patients.

Additionally, there are also many in-vitro and rat studies demonstrating the anti-inflammatory benefits this spice can have. While obviously these results are not always directly relatable or applicable to humans, the take-away is that this compound is very active and holds promise for a wide variety of disease states.

On the whole, based on this one critique, I would not be so fast to discount the powerful effects turmeric can have for our health. Ancient tradition and wisdom aside, there are actually studies showing benefit which should lead us to conclude that turmeric is actually doing something, but maybe not in the precise way we are looking at it currently.

Don't forget that like with most things in nature, compounds work synergistically. Another reason why food, not supplements and fortification, is paramount for health. For example, we know that the phytochemicals in fruit are more powerful when eaten together in the whole food. When we try to isolate specific phytochemicals to make a pill, we find that the compound is unstable and frankly doesn't work. But these compounds DO work when ingested in the right form and combination that nature intended.

All that to say, keep up with your turmeric if you find it to be working for you. Consider eating it in the whole form in cooking rather than isolated pill forms. If you do choose a pill, purchase from a reputable company and even consider purchasing the same forms used in the studies. When using the whole spice for the root, combine it with other foods known to enhance the bioavailability such as fats and black pepper.

The use of spices, and especially turmeric, is a great addition to an overall healthy diet. While important to take into consideration, don't let one detracting article like this completely change your viewpoint just yet.

By Danielle VenHuizen

References

1. https://qz.com/883829/a-large-scientific-review-study-shows-that-curcumin-in-turmeric-has-no-medicinal-properties/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19678780

http://ezinearticles.com/?Turmeric:-Natures-Wonder-Drug---Or-Not?&id=9640980

Drink Lemon Water Instead of Pills if You Have One of These 11 Problems

Lemons are very versatile fruits—with loads of vitamin C (a primary nutrient for immune system support), vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and antibacterial and antiviral properties—the juice of a lemon can make you feel good inside and out.

The phytonutrient limonine in lemon (and lime) has been found efficacious in combating cancers of the colon, stomach, breast, lung, mouth, and skin. It is so effective because it’s readily bioavailable, meaning the body can use its nutrients just as it is.

Here are some practical reasons for drinking for lemon juice—some may surprise you.

1. Acne – The citric acid in lemon juice may irritate sensitive skin, so try on a small area before applying to your whole face. Lemon juice works by adjusting the pH level of your skin to be slightly acidic, which it seems to generally prefer. The acid and phytonutrients kill bacteria that cause acne and reduce skin inflammation.

2. Appetite suppressant and weight loss – hesperidin is a bioflavonoid found in lemons. It has been found to increase resting metabolism, regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduce loss of bone density.

3. Blood pressure – flavonoids account for the reduction of high blood pressure with daily ingestion of lemon juice.

4. Cold and flu – VITAMIN C. Lots of it. Need we say more?

5. Fibromyalgia – due to its ability to raise metabolism (plus nutrition!), chronic fatigue experienced with this condition are ameliorated.

6. Fingernails – the acid in lemon acts as a bleach to safely whiten nails.

7. Gallbladder support – this often-overlooked organ is responsible for releasing bile from the liver to break down fats in the body. As with kidney stones (below), limonene and ascorbic acid inhibit the formation of gallstones and “literally dissolve fat sludge”. Turpentine—the solvent used to clean oil-based paint—is derived from terpenes, the phytochemicals in citrus that give it the sour taste and smell. As in turpentine, terpenes clean through accumulated gunk.

8. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and digestion – effective in supporting the entire digestive system, lemon juice helps to balance the body’s pH: it seems paradoxical but—like many other foods—lemon juice is acidic by nature but once it’s metabolized in the body, becomes alkaline. This is important because cells break down faster and abnormal cells thrive in an acidic environment. Lemon’s antibacterials get at a common trigger for GERD (h.pylori) and other bacteria from “food poisoning”, such as salmonellaand E.coli.

9. Inflammation – the alkalinity affected by lemon juice reduces inflammation. Chronic inflammation is very often the precursor to disease. Its anti-inflammatories are also useful after a work-out (plus the electrolyte mineral potassium to rehydrate) and to reduce accumulation of uric acid that can cause joint pain.

10. Immune system support – limonene is detoxifying in the body, promoting lymph drainage. The lymphatic system is responsible for transporting white blood cells throughout the body to eliminate waste and toxins.

11. Kidney stones – the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in lemon juice inhibits the formation of kidney stones.

By squeezing a fresh organic lemon into warm water each day, you help support everything your body needs to do. Adding a little raw honey adds sweetness and additional health benefits to complement.

You can use the whole lemon for different actions so none of it goes to waste:

• Before squeezing, zest the peel to use in cooking and baking. Or use as a topical anti-inflammatory on whatever part of your body hurts.
• After squeezing, don’t throw the peel in the compost just yet: apply each half of the lemon to the heels of your feet overnight to breakdown dry and cracked skin, ready to be exfoliated.

By DailyHealthPos

https://dailyhealthpost.com/drink-lemon-juice-instead-of-pills/