Turmeric May Offer Multiple Health Benefits
Consuming turmeric powder daily, or taking a supplement, has multiple health benefits. Commonly used in curry, turmeric may be beneficial in fighting the damaging effects of stroke, decrease stroke risk, and even improve brain health. Eaten for thousands of years in curries, this popular spice has many medicinal properties.
In addition to stroke risk prevention, turmeric may also be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and a host of other diseases. Specifically, there appear to be health benefits associated with those types of diseases associated with chronic inflammation and degeneration.
Active constituents associated with reduced risk for inflammation include salicylates (a natural form of aspirin), and curcuminoids: substances thought to inhibit amyloid plaque formation. Amyloid plaques are substances found in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients associated with poor memory and brain function. This may be one of the reasons that very little Alzheimer’s disease is found in countries that consume large amounts of currie, like India.
Decreasing Stroke Risk Naturally
In a recent study conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, turmeric was found to reduce stroke risk. The herb was also found to help repair cells in the brain that govern the movement of muscles. Further studies in Britain have shown that turmeric administered in IV after a stroke reduced stroke damage.
Getting the Best Quality Supplements Makes a Difference
While turmeric by itself cannot normally cross the blood-brain barrier without being bound to a fat like ghee. The new trial drug (known as CNB-001) has been modified to reach brain cells, and help protect them from the damaging effects of stroke. And is thought to help when administered up to three hours after the stroke has occurred.
While any commercial release of this drug is still years away, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine have been using turmeric for its anti-inflammatory qualities for centuries. So when it comes to turmeric, modern science is once again beginning to offer its own support of traditional medical practices.
For the best choice of turmeric, I choose Meriva SF by Thorne Research; because it crosses the blood-brain barrier. Namely, because Meriva SF is fat soluble; making it easy to absorb. There are many good supplements on the market. However, because Meriva SF is so easily absorbed, I prescribe it often for a host of health benefits.
Because turmeric has blood thinning properties, make sure to speak to your doctor before starting to take this, or any other supplements recommended on this site.
To find out more about my work, or to schedule an appointment, please visit my website at DoctorWhimsy.com
I would love to help you on your journey to health
