Turmeric - The amazing natural healing spice

Turmeric is an old Indian spice made from grinding the powerful medicinal ground root of Curcuma Longa, typically found in India and Indonesia, and belongs to the ginger family. 

The name “turmeric” is derived from the Persian word for "saffron", the neon yellow-orange. Widely used in cooking and gives Indian curry its flavor, also used to color butter, cheese and yellow mustard. In cooking, turmeric spices provides various health benefits.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in Turmeric. Scientific studies have proven that the spice has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful antioxidant. "Antioxidants scavenge molecules in the body known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes tamper with DNA and even cause cell death. Antioxidants can fight free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. In addition curcumin lowers the levels of two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.It also stops platelets from clumping together to form blood clots" (1) 

According to scientific studies, the benefits of Turmeric are numerous. These include, but are not limited to the following conditions:  

• Antiinflammatory 
• Antiviral
• Antibacterial 
• Antifungal
• Anticarcinogenic
• Lowers Colesterol
• Blood Purifier
• Alzheimer´s Disease
• Psoriasis
• Diabetes
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Heals Stomach Ulcer
• Heart Disease
• Liver toxicity & disease
• Multiple Sclerosis

You can take turmeric in different ways: 

• Powdered 
• Root form
• Tablets form

How to Take it 

Dose recommended for adults:

• Cut root: 1.5 - 3 g per day
• Powdered root: 1-3 g per day
• Standardized Extract (curcumim): 400 -600 mg, 3 times per day

What can we do to increase the bioavailability of turmeric in the body?
Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Here few suggestions: 

• Mixing with Black Pepper - the natural substance piperine in the black pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin, so when you are cooking with turmeric don't forget to add some black peppers to the food. 

• Mixing with Fats - turmeric is fat-soluble , which means it dissolves or breaks down in fat, and very low solubility in water. You need to consume some food that contain healthy fats for turmeric and curcumin absorption. Once Turmeric is absorbed into fats it can easily make through your digestive tract and into your bloodstream.

PRECAUTIONS: 

Turmeric is a natural blood thinner, so avoid taking it if you are on prescribed blood thinners. Turmeric might also upset your stomach if you are sensitive or if you are taking medication for ulcer or heartburn.
Use turmeric with caution if you are pregnant.

REFERENCES:
1. “Curcumin May Help Lower Your Inflammation.” Mercola.com. Mercola.com, 9 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
2. “Curcumin May Help Lower Inflammation in Metabolic Syndrome.” Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
3. www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400915/Curcumin-or-Turmeric.html
4. www.healthy-holistic-living.com/turmeric-absorption.html
5. www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/turmeric-smoothie-recipes-to-boost-bioavailability/

(1) http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric