Many health experts and naturopaths believe that turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement and most powerful herb in existence; it is a powerful medicinal spice that is used in treating a lot of diseases.

It is commonly referred to as “golden spice” or “Indian saffron”. Indians include turmeric in almost all their dishes and it is a common plant in Asia.

The active ingredient in turmeric is Curcumin; it has powerful medicinal properties and it is what makes turmeric powerful. Due to the powerful medicinal properties of Curcumin, it is referred to as “miracle herb” and it is the main spice used in making curry.

Important Health Benefits of Turmeric

Below are some of the wonderful health benefits of turmeric.

1. Fights Inflammation

Inflammation is believed to be the root cause of most diseases and Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevents and treats inflammation in the body; it repairs damages in the body and fights foreign invaders.

Some studies even prove that Curcumin is as effective as most anti-inflammatory drugs. It targets the multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway and stops them at the molecular level.

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It blocks NF-kB, which is a molecule that turns on inflammation in the nucleus of cells; this molecule plays a major role in many chronic diseases by triggering inflammation.

2. It Fights Cancer

Millions of people have died from this terrible disease and yearly, hundreds of thousands go. There are many types of cancer but all of them can be effectively prevented and combated by Curcumin.

It prevents the growth and spread of cancer even at the molecular level. Turmeric stops the supply of blood to cancerous cells and tumors, it stops the growth of new blood vessels in tumors and can cause the death of cancer cells.

3. It is Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants help in fighting free radicals and oxidative damages; these two are the main culprits behind rapid or premature aging and most diseases. They damage important molecules like DNA. Curcumin has powerful antioxidants which help in neutralizing free radicals and stopping oxidation damage and stress; it also boosts the activity and functions of the body’s antioxidant enzymes and it also stimulates the antioxidant mechanisms of the body.

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It also fights aging and age related chronic diseases like cancer, dementia, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and arthritis. Curcumin is used as an anti-aging supplement because of these benefits.

4. It Prevents Diabetes

Turmeric is a powerful fighter of diabetes; studies have even proven that it is more effective than metformin; Curcumin can effectively activate the enzyme Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). When Curcumin is fermented, a compound tetrahydrocurcumin is released; this helps to activate AMPK up to 100,000 times in certain cells, most diabetes drugs like metformin can’t do this.

Activation of AMPK is a way to heal diabetes; it can reduce insulin resistance and even reverse diabetes. Another way Curcumin fights diabetes is by reducing inflammation. It lowers inflammatory markers like TNF-a and IL-6; these inflammation markers have been associated with diabetes.

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Intake of turmeric regularly by diabetes patients can even help reduce diabetic neuropathy; this is a common condition suffered by diabetic patients, it damages their nerves and can also cause blindness and muscle weakness. It can also lead to kidney failure. Turmeric is very good for diabetes patients and they should take it regularly.

5. Good for the Skin
   

Turmeric is filled with powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds; these help in preventing and treating many skin conditions and infections. It also increases the glow and luster of the skin, it hastens the healing of wounds, it calms the pores of the skin and decreases acne, acne spots, acne scarring and controlling psoriasis flares.

It is even used in the treatment of scabies to cure it.

6. Helps to Maintain a Healthy Weight

Turmeric helps one to lose weight and it combats obesity; it reduces the growth of fat cells, and its anti-inflammatory effects can suppress the inflammatory process of obesity.

7. It Prevents and Slows Blood Clots

This condition is known as thrombus; it is characterized by the formation of blood clots through a process of platelet aggregation, in which blood platelets concentrate in one place ad form clot. This can block blood vessels and thereby lead to health complications and problems like heart disease and stroke.

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Curcumin can prevent blood clots from forming, and it also stops platelets from aggregating together. A lab study even suggested that Curcumin can be used to treat patients with vascular thrombosis.

8. It Fights Arthritis

Curcumin is a powerful pain fighter and anti-inflammatory agent; it is even more effective than the drug diclofenac which increases the risk of leaky gut and heart disease. Curcumin extract is an effective natural remedy for arthritis, high doses of Curcumin brings relief to arthritis patients and does not pose any side effects to the health.

9. Boosts Brain Health

Curcumin boosts the health and functions of the brain; it fights brain related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease which is the most common neurodegenerative disease on earth and it also leads to dementia.

Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier; its anti-inflammatory and oxidative effects help the brain and keep it healthy. It prevents and clears the buildup of amyloid plaques which are protein tangles which cause Alzheimer’s disease.

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It also treats depression and it is as effective as Prozac; Curcumin boosts the levels of BNDF which reverses some abnormal brain changes which leads to depression. It also boosts the levels of dopamine and serotonin which are transmitters that help in regulating mood.

10. It Prevents Heart Disease

Heart disease is the biggest killer of mankind on the planet; Curcumin helps to reverse the complicated processes of heart disease and it also improves the functions of the endothelium (the lining of the blood vessels). The endothelium helps in the regulation of blood pressure, blood clotting, and other blood functions and when their functions are affected, it can increase the risk of heart disease.

Turmeric helps in improving the functions of the endothelium; its active compound Curcumin has the same effect as exercise and it is also effective as the drug Atorvastatin. It also reduces oxidation and inflammation which contributes to heart disease.

How to Use Turmeric

Turmeric can be used in many ways; it is commonly used as a spice, so you can add it to every meal you cook.

Another way is by making turmeric tea; this is done by grating fresh turmeric and boiling it in a cup of water, then you leave it to cool, sieve and your drink is ready.

You can also get turmeric powder and make tea with it or add it to your meals and drinks. This will help you stay healthy.