I have a confession to make... I have a new obsession. I'm generally pretty limited in the kitchen, so I never thought I'd be so excited about a SPICE! But here I am, and I couldn’t be more excited to geek out with you over the health benefits of this superfood superspice, turmeric. Best known for giving curry its yellow hue and called the key to the ultimate healing, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin) has an incredible range of support that it gives to the body. Health experts have said turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Let’s look at the top nine ways this hero turmeric and its sidekick curcumin might just give you superpowers...
Turmeric/Curcumin:
Is a strong anti-inflammatory. It fights inflammation at the molecular level by blocking the inflammatory signaling molecule NF-kB. It’s so effective that in one study 500mg of curcumin daily was more effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis than the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. This is relevant for more than just people with RA - science has revealed that chronic, low level inflammation plays a major role in almost every chronic, western disease we are afflicted with today.
Increases the anti-oxidants as well as antioxidant capacity of the body. That’s right - curcumin fights oxidative stress with a one-two punch: it’s a potent antioxidant in and of itself, but it doesn’t just stop there. Curcumin also boosts the activity of your body’s own antioxidant enzymes. This is good news for everyone living on the planet Earth since free- radicals are present in everything from smoking and pollution to sunshine, exercise and cooking, and oxidative damage is believed to be one of the primary mechanisms behind aging and many diseases.
Supports heart health and lowers the risk of heart disease. This should be music to all of our ears, since heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the world. Remember when we said turmeric can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress? Well guess what some of the main contributors to heart disease are? Yup, you guessed it. Curcumin also improves the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels. One study randomly assigned 121 people undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery either a placebo or 4 grams of curcumin per day, a few days before and after the surgery. The curcumin group had a 65% decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the hospital.
May improve brain function and lower the risk of brain disease. In fact, India has the lowest dementia rates in the world, and they’re known for their turmeric-rich diet. Scientists previously believed neurons weren’t able to divide and multiply after childhood, but now we know neurons are capable of forming new connections, and in some areas of the brain can also multiply and increase as adults. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a growth hormone that functions in your brain and drives this process, and low BDNF has been linked to Alzheimers and other common brain disorders. Curcumin in turmeric can actually increase levels of BDNF, helping lower the risk of brain disease, increase memory, and just plain make you smarter!
Helps fight depression! Low BDNF has been linked to depression just as it’s been linked to Alzheimers and other brain disorders. In one study, curcumin was found to be as effective as prozac for patients suffering from depression.
Can prevent cancer and in some cases, treat it. The key to prevention is found in its powerful ability to dual function as an antioxidant and its ability to increase the body’s antioxidant capacity. But studies have also shown that it can contribute to the death of cancerous cells and reduce angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels in tumors) and metastasis (the spread of cancer).
Supports joint health! In 2016, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that 1,000 mg a day of curcumin reduced OA (osteoarthritis) pain and inflammation as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac and ibuprofen.
Helps to detoxify the body. Turmeric supports your liver in modifying, inactivating and eliminating toxins and excess substances produced by the body, including hormones.(This can also make it an excellent postpartum tonic - though the jury is still out for turmeric during pregnancy and at this time is not recommended).
Can help you feel the love! Turmeric has been used for hundreds of years in ancient Indian culture as an aphrodisiac. A potent testosterone promoter, warming spices like turmeric increase blood flow in the abdominal and pelvic areas and may just conjure up that loving feeling!
This superspace is brimming with benefits! The only catch is bioavailability. Turmeric, when used in food, does not contain enough curcumin to be medicinally relevant, and it’s poorly absorbed by the bloodstream when left alone. So your options are to:
eat curry for every snack and meal of the day, every day
swallow pills filled with curcumin, OR...
chew a delicious gummy
Is it just me or is there an obvious winner? Enter n* by Nutrilite’s Turmeric Gummies. These pineapple-flavored, yummy gummies are packed with only clean ingredients as well as Turmipure Gold®, a 100% clean, natural, organic, and safe formulation of turmeric and curcumin. In a robust clinical study, this product demonstrated the highest bioavailability and 1st bioequivalence at a low dose. This allows the medicinal benefits of turmeric to be slipped into sweet treats and beverages.
Speaking of beverages, our n* by Nutrilite Turmeric Lattes have all the above benefits and also contain 250mg of MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) sourced from coconut oil. Called ‘Rocketfuel for your Brain’, MCTs can be converted into ketones, allowing them to pass through the blood-brain barrier and energize your brain. So give your tastebuds and your body a major boost!
That's all I've got for you today! I'll just be over here with my turmeric if you need me!