Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric is an ancient ayurvedic spice and root that has been used throughout Asia for centuries.

This distinct yellow powder is valued for both its medicinal properties and health benefits. Curcumin, the main active component in turmeric, providing many of its benefits associated with inflammation, antioxidant abilities, and mood boosting power.

5 Benefits of Turmeric

1. Reduces Inflammation

As the main active compound in turmeric, curcumin is highly effective at reducing inflammation.

Though inflammation is important in the body’s repair process after an illness or injury, long-term inflammation can cause mild to severe damage to the body’s tissues.

Curcumin blocks signals to begin inflammation within the cells, limiting the amount of inflammation in the body. And stopping chronic inflammation that can cause permanent damage.

2. Acts as an Antioxidant

Turmeric and curcumin not only provide antioxidant power to the body and cells, but also boost the body’s antioxidant capacity and activating your natural antioxidant enzymes.

Improving your body’s antioxidants is important because it assists with fighting oxidative damage caused by free radicals – common particles that cause damage to your cells.

3. Boots Skin Health

Turmeric also provides cosmetic benefits to the skin.

Not only does it assist in treating conditions that cause discomfort to the skin, but it also improves healing of wounds and acne scars and boosts the skin’s natural glow.

These benefits are brought primarily by and its ability to reduce inflammation for the skin and boost healing with its antioxidant power.

4. Improves Brain Function and Mood

Curcumin can boost the brain’s ability to function by increasing levels of the hormone called neurotrophic factor. This hormone is responsible for improving how neurons in the brain grow, multiply, connect – all important functions of a healthy brain function and memory retention.

It also helps improve mood and fight the symptoms of anxiety and depression. These disorders are associated with reduced levels of brain-derived hormones.

There has been evidence that curcumin helps to boost production of brain boosting hormones and neurotransmitters like neurotrophic factor, serotonin, and dopamine.

5. Promotes Healthy Aging

Turmeric is a very popular anti-aging supplement due to all the benefits listed    above.

It keeps the brain healthy, can help prevent aging of the skin, and can assist with staving off diseases linked to chronic inflammation and free radical oxidation.

Dosage Recommendations

There is currently no exact dosage recommendations of turmeric, both for powdered and extract supplement forms.

The typical dosage of turmeric per day is between 500 - 2,000 mg; which is a wide range. However, high doses of turmeric and curcumin supplement for long periods of time is not recommended.

Could a Turmeric Curcumin Supplement Benefit Your Health?

Make sure to purchase your supplement from a reputable supplier that uses the highest quality ingredients in their turmeric supplements.

Author: Allison Lansman, RDN, LD

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