Seven health benefits of turmeric as advocated by one of the finest US hospitals

KEY STORY 

• As children, growing up in a tier two city of India, we lived in a joint family setup comprising grandparents, uncles, aunts cousins and of course my parents and siblings. It was a huge farm and we moved amidst educated professionals as neighbours and relations.

• Yet, if any one of us children suffered a fall, a small wound or abrasion while playing or a small scalding or heat burn due to hot food or vessel, our parents did not rush us to hospital ERs or doctor’s clinics unless it looked like a grave would.

• The standard practice was to fetch a few pinches full of powdered Haldi (turmeric) cleanly stored separately (not from masala boxes that may have other spices mixed in it) and apply it to the would. Like the motorcycle advert of yesteryears: Fill it, Shut it, Forget it!

• Trust me, none of us siblings and cousins ever developed a puss-filled wound and this turmeric as antiseptic application held us in good stead for many years.

• Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of the curcuma longa plant, which is a perennial in the ginger family. Its major active ingredient is curcumin. The west has just begun exploring this spice so widely used and cultivated in India in fresh as well as dried form. While Haldi doodh is a given home remedy most Indian homes deploy during cold, cough, and other ailments, the west is just discovering turmeric in turmeric latte, etc. The west seems awed by this deep golden herb that is easy to add to smoothies and curries and shows promise when it comes to the following health benefits.

Lessens inflammation: For chronic conditions where inflammation starts to affect tissues in your body, taking turmeric may be beneficial. According to the Cleveland Clinic Registered dietitian Nicole Hopsecger, RD, one study of patients with ulcerative colitis showed the potential of turmeric in helping ease the painful health condition. She states how those who took 2 grams of curcumin a day along with prescription medication were more likely to stay in remission than those who took the medicine alone. “It won’t necessarily help during an active flare-up, but it may help prolong remission,” Hopsecger explains.

Pain relief: The Cleveland Clinic doctor lauds the way Chinese traditional medicine and Ayurveda — for thousands of years — have been using turmeric in its medicine protocol for treating arthritis. Research suggests that taking turmeric extract could potentially reduce pain from osteoarthritis, though further study is still needed. She also warns against quitting regular and routine medicines prescribed for the same by modern medicine doctors. “I wouldn’t rely on a curcumin supplement alone,” Hopsecger notes. “Medical management should come first.”

Improves memory: Cleveland Clinic Registered dietitian Nicole Hopsecger, RD adds that another clinical trial showed that 90 milligrams of curcumin taken twice a day for 18 months helped improve memory performance in adults without dementia. Nicole Hopsecger states and we quote: “Researchers thought that the reduction in brain inflammation and curcumin’s antioxidant properties led to less decline in neurocognition, which is the ability to think and reason,” adding that “Curcumin may also have a role in preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease — however, that’s an area where we need more research.”

Lowers the risk of heart disease: With its ability to help reduce inflammation and oxidation, turmeric could lower the risk of heart disease. Cleveland Clinic doctor states that studies show that turmeric may help reverse the heart disease process. In healthy middle-aged and older adults who took curcumin supplements for 12 weeks, resistance artery endothelial production — which plays a significant role in high blood pressure — was increased. She also states another study that followed 121 people who had coronary artery bypass surgery. A few days before and after the surgery, the group that took 4 grams of curcumin a day saw a 65 per cent decreased risk of having a heart attack in the hospital.

Lowers Cholesterol: Turmeric also may be helpful when used along with medication for managing cholesterol levels. Research shows that curcumin is safe and may protect those at risk for heart disease by lowering certain levels of cholesterol, though more study is needed to look at how much and what type is effective.

Helps fight depression: If you have depression, the protein known as a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is reduced and your hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, starts to shrink. A study shows that curcumin can boost BDNF levels and may reverse changes. Curcumin can deliver an effect similar to the potency of the modern mood medicine fluoxetine (Prozac) in lessening symptoms of depression. Curcumin may also increase levels of serotonin and dopamine — which are chemicals in your brain that regulate mood and other body functions. Who knows, if you take curcumin under your doctor’s advice, it may reduce your dependency on several modern chemical drugs.

A word of caution:

Those on meds for bloating, blood-clotting matters, and gallbladder disease must consult their doctor before incorporating additional turmeric use in diet. The good doctor warns that while turmeric can help supplement your conventional care, it’s not a substitute for medicine.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.