Discover the Astounding Health Benefits Made Possible by Curcumin Research
It’s no wonder Western scientific sources are seriously researching curcumin to see what diseases it can be used to treat and prevent. It already has a huge catalog of uses attributed to it. In the Chinese and Ayurvedic systems of medicine, turmeric (which contains curcumin) has been used as a versatile medicinal component for centuries.
Turmeric has been used as an antibacterial. Very often, turmeric is placed on wounds, either as raw slices or as a poultice mixed from the powder, to protect the wound from bacteria and promote healing.
It is also widely used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergen, appetite stimulant, complexion-enhancing agent, to promote and maintain cardiovascular health, and to help calm a number of digestive disorders.
The active ingredient in turmeric is the phytochemical known as curcumin, an antioxidant. This same antioxidant is what allows turmeric to impart the rich yellow color it is known for.
For those unfamiliar with the term, an antioxidant is a substance that neutralizes the effects of oxidation on cellular structures in the body (think of it as a kind of “rust retardant” for your body tissues and systems). Research on curcumin has shown that it helps counter the effects of free radicals in the body.
It has also been shown to boost the body’s immune system overall, while preventing cholesterol from being deposited in the veins and arteries of the blood system.
Until recently, few targeted studies had been conducted due to the fact that some extracts containing curcumin were not well utilized by the body. However, new extracted compounds have been formulated, ending what has been a major obstacle to human scientific studies.
Two of the most exciting areas today are the use of curcumin to fight Alzheimer’s disease (AD), senile dementia and the fight against cancer. In the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, a particular curcumin compound known as BCM-95 has been shown to increase blood levels of beta-amyloid (Abeta for short) and vitamin E in sufferers. of Alzheimer’s disease when supplemented with BCM-95.
Plaque deposits consisting of Abeta (a peptide that causes protein tangles in brain blood vessels) are thought to contribute significantly to the development of AD.
Curcumin research has shown that in addition to being an anti-inflammatory agent, curcumin triggered a release of Abeta from the brain into the bloodstream where it will not form plaque tangles and could be flushed out of the body. An increase in the level of vitamin E was also noted, an important finding as some studies suggest that vitamin E may also be beneficial for people at risk of developing AD.
Research on curcumin also indicates that it may be helpful in stopping the formation of cancerous tumors, especially in colon cancers.
You should learn more about how you can improve your health by taking curcumin in its most beneficial form.
