THE AMAZING SUPERFOOD FOR THE WHOLE BODY & ITS MANY BENEFITS
In Ayurveda, curcumin (turmeric extract) has been associated to have ‘protective’ properties. It is believed to balance the 3 doshas (vata, pitta, kapha).
CURCUMIN is one of the most widely researched natural substance with over 15,000 studies published to date. Research has shown that Curcumin (turmeric extract) has a variety of proven medicinal benefits:
Chronic inflammation is known to be a contributor to many common diseases. Curcumin can inhibit many molecules known to play major roles in inflammation.
Inflammation plays a vital role in fighting foreign invaders and repairing damage. If there is no inflammation, bacteria can overrun the body and eventually kill us. It’s when the inflammation becomes chronic (long-term) that issues begin, and it’s believed that this can play a major contribution in every chronic disease. Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and various degenerative conditions can potentially be prevented and treated by addressing chronic inflammation.
Curcumin is known to target multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway, at the molecular level. This blocks NF-kB, a molecule that travels into the nuclei of cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. NF-kB is believed to play a major role in many chronic diseases.
Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases. It involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial, is that they protect our bodies from free radicals.
Curcumin happens to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure and curcumin also boosts the activity of the body's own antioxidant enzymes. This makes Curcumin unique as it not only neutralizes free radicals on its own, but it also stimulates the body's own antioxidant enzymes.
Antioxidants play a role in keeping our joints healthy. Your body uses antioxidants to combat free radicals. Free radicals are unstable particles that are created because of millions of chemical reactions in the body. They can cause oxidative stress and damage on a cellular level. When scientists examine the blood and joint fluid of patients that are suffering with joint discomfort, often there is an increased activity of free radicals and lower levels of antioxidants.
Curcumin being rich in antioxidants, can give you a healthy supply and is an effective strategy to inhibit oxidative stress.
The connection between inflammation and cognitive health cannot be overstated. Neurons are especially susceptible to inflammation and the release of inflammatory compounds in the body can be neurotoxic. Curcumin may help protect those precious brain cells.
Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: a type of growth hormone that functions in the brain), which increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain. By doing this, it may be effective at delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function.
A healthy heart consists of many factors, especially eating healthy and routine exercise. Adding curcumin as part of your healthy diet may have many benefits to protect your heart. Oxidized LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) particles (that have been disrupted by free radicals) may produce inflammation in the cardiovascular system. Studies suggest that the antioxidant effects of curcumin can help fight those free radicals.
Curcumin is also known to improve the function of the endothelium and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.
Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease, is improving the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels.
It is well known that endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease and involves an inability of the endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other factors. Several studies suggest that curcumin leads to improvements in endothelial function.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a leading cause of dementia.
One key feature of Alzheimer's disease is a build-up of protein tangles called Amyloid plaques. Studies show that curcumin can help clear these plaques. Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease.
Arthritis is a common problem characterised by joint inflammation. There are several different types, but most involve some sort of inflammation in the joints.
Given that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory, it makes sense that it could help with arthritis. Several studies show this to be true. Many studies have looked at the effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms and in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
Studies have shown that curcumin may work by reducing certain key inflammation-promoting enzymes in the body. In some studies curcumin performed well in promoting comfort and flexibility without the side-effects, providing a natural supplement alternative. Athletes and weekend warriors alike are also using it for muscle and joint health recovery, too.
Your liver plays an important role in stabilizing and balancing the maintenance of your body. The health of your liver can be directly related to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory substances. Curcumin may help boost antioxidant defences to help the liver detoxify and restore balance.
Your immune system is a network of various organs, tissues, and cells that work together to protect your body. Curcumin not only helps to enhance the responses of certain antibodies and cells within the immune system but may also help down regulate the expression of certain pro-inflammatory substances.
Curcumin, being a very powerful natural antioxidant, helps reduce and neutralize free radicals, which damage and destroy your cells and DNA causing accelerated aging. Since most ageing disorders are driven by oxidative stress, this makes curcumin a very important daily supplement for aging adults
Researchers have been studying curcumin as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment. It can affect cancer growth, development and spread at the molecular level.
Cancer involves the uncontrollable growth of cells and while there are many different forms, they have some commonalities and they do appear to be affected by supplementing with Curcumin.
In several studies, researchers have noted that Curcumin is beneficial in cancer treatment and in affecting the growth, development and spread at a molecular level.
Studies have also shown that Curcumin can reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels and tumours), metastasis i.e. the spread of cancer along with contributing to cancerous cell death.
Curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.
CURCUMIN AND AYURVEDA
People are finally realizing what Ayurvedic practitioners in India have known for thousands of years: CURCUMIN is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can potentially help combat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, slow the rate of cancer growth, and improve cognitive function. More recently, researchers have even been examining the potential for CURCUMIN to enhance weight loss and decrease insulin resistance.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric, (botanical name: Curcuma Longa) is a plant in the same botanical family as ginger. The powdered turmeric you find in the spice aisle is made from the root of the plant by boiling, drying and finely grinding the roots of the turmeric is a spice. We all love it as a spice for cooking.
Although it grows in many tropical locations, most of the turmeric is grown in India, where it is used as a main ingredient in curry.
What is Curcumin?
There is a difference between Turmeric & Curcumin.
Curcumin is the key compound extracted from turmeric.
One can indeed credit Curcumin for all the powerful biological properties and potential health benefits. There are more than 6,000 studies conducted on CURCUMIN and the research is on Curcumin.
In its own right, Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Turmeric History
This vibrant yellowish / orange powder, often considered as the ‘Holy Powder’ in Ayurveda has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic and Chinese medical professionals as medicine for over 5,000 years. It is taken internally in the form of medicinally made juice, tinctures or specially made powder for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. It has an affinity for the blood and therefore able to circulate its powerful health benefits throughout the body. It is used to support a number of systems and functions in the body.
Over the last few years, modern medicine has increasingly acknowledged the importance of and particularly the benefits of curcumin, a well-known and most studied phytonutrient in turmeric. Curcumin, is the active compound found in turmeric, a substance with over 100 pharmacological actions, including a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
PROBIOTICS & POSTBIOTICS
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS?
PROBIOTICS – It begins in the GUT!
Probiotics introduce good gut bacteria to the gut.
The gut microbiota are key regulators of physiologic, metabolic, and immune related processes that are required in maintaining homeostasis.
Probiotics are effectively microorganisms (gut microbes) that when introduced into a host provides a biological benefit.
Probiotics have been attributed to numerous health promoting aspects of the microbe ecosystem, including strengthening the barrier against infection, as well as the antibacterial, immune-modulating, and anti-inflammatory aspects.
These microbiome help balance your digestive system & support your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Probiotics also fend off harmful bacteria species in the gut.
WHAT ARE POSTBIOTICS?
POSTBIOTICS
Postbiotics are the metabolites of probiotics (by product of probiotics), or the components that result from probiotic activity in the gut. These are bioactive compounds created by the probiotic bacteria when they digest and break down fibers. Emerging research is showing that postbiotics can help further support the health of the gut.
Postbiotics have been found to have a profound effect on our overall gut health.
In terms of
“Postbiotics have been researched because of their potential health benefits which include anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-proliferative, antioxidant and cholesterol lowering activities”
Postbiotics Reference
(Dr. Vincent Ho – Gastroenterologist & Senior Lecturer, Western Sydney University).
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Taking personal responsibility for our health is the most important thing we can do!
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any specific disease. As with any medical condition, one should consult their medical practitioner.