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What Happens to Your Body When You Take Turmeric

Updated on December 21, 2016
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Amy is a Colorado native and nutrition professor. She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in the field of nutrition.

The Root of the Gods

This brilliantly colored spice has been used for centuries as a dye, but more recently it has been coined one of the most medicinal spices around. From making you look younger to treating stomach malaise, here are 5 research-proven ways taking turmeric daily can transform your life and health. Fun facts and dosing recommendations are also provided to give you an all-inclusive guide to utilizing this brilliant spice.

Five Physical Changes That Happen to Your Body

1. Turmeric Fights Inflammation

The more you learn about disease and sickness the more you find that, at its core, lies inflammation. Diseases like Inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, asthma, chronic active hepatitis, and certain types of cancer, are all inflammatory disorders. Research has looked at the effectiveness of Turmeric in place of Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) and found that turmeric works just as effectively at reducing inflammation. Chronic NSAID use has been associated with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and kidney problems; so swapping in a natural alternative can not only treat symptoms but also prevent disease.

2. Turmeric Delays Aging

Research studies noted significant improvement in skin disease and overall skin health with the supplementation and topical application of turmeric. When it comes to your face, turmeric works by decreasing inflammation around eyes and under skin. Since there is less inflammation and stretching in the facial tissue, fewer wrinkles can form. Turmeric also shows promise with speeding up wound healing. So that pimple you just popped, it can heal up at a faster rate. Additionally, turmeric delays aging internally, by decreasing inflammatory diseases as discussed above. If your body is sick, it can add years to your appearance.

3. Turmeric Protects Your Heart

Anyone with heart disease, high cholesterol, or plaque buildup can really benefit from this effect of turmeric. Turmeric is shown to alter the way your body metabolizes fats. This leads to decreased cholesterol absorption, which in turn leads to decreased accumulation of plaque in arteries. This is a winning combination for heart health.

4. Turmeric Improves Digestion

Gastro-intestinal (GI) discomfort, such as bloating and gas, can be caused by insufficient gallbladder secretions. The gallbladder stores and secretes bile as needed for digestion. People can have deficient bile secretions due to frequent gallstones or sludge build-up within the gallbladder. Bile secretions help break down foods, specifically fats. Turmeric works by stimulating the gallbladder, increasing secretions of bile, and easing these symptoms of GI distress.

5. Turmeric Enhances Memory and Prevents Alzheimers Disease

Because inflammation is one of the leading causes of Alzheimers disease, turmeric can be useful in both treating and delaying disease progression. It actually works by blocking COX-2 enzyme. This blocks the neural inflammation that can occur in the brain. Turmeric also increases oxygen flow to the brain, leading to healthier brain cells.

What Form Have You Taken Turmeric In?

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How Much Turmeric Should I Take?

I take turmeric by juicing small pieces (1-2g) of fresh root in with other fruits and vegetables. It gives any juice a bright yellow/orange hue. Depending on how you would like to take turmeric, here are the specific dosing guidelines for adults from the University of Maryland Medical Center.

  • Fresh Cut Root: 1.5 to 3 g per day
  • Dried, powdered root: 1 to 3 g per day
  • Standardized powder (curcumin): 400 to 600 mg, 3 times per day
  • Fluid extract (1:1) 30 to 90 drops a day
  • Tincture (1:2): 15 to 30 drops, 4 times per day

Fun Facts About Turmeric

* Turmeric turns foods a vibrant yellow-orange pigment

* Turmeric is primarily produced in India

* It is typically the spice used to flavor curries

* It is a good source of vitamin C and magnesium

* Turmeric is considered a vibrant antioxidant

*It is a tropical plant that is part of the ginger family

* In India, Turmeric is referred to as the "Golden Goddess"

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Precautions

As with any supplement, it is important to take with care under the supervision of a physician so they can consider how it may interact with other medications or health conditions.

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