Benefits of Turmeric
In recent years, turmeric has emerged as one of the new “superfoods” that everyone is talking about. What’s all the fuss about, and does turmeric live up to the hype? Who should consider taking a turmeric supplement to improve their health? It may seem like there’s a new health food fad every week, but turmeric is definitely worth a closer look.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a vibrant yellow-orange spice that is often the main ingredient in curry spice blends. In India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, it is a dietary staple. These regions have also used turmeric medicinally for centuries, in ways that the rest of the world is finally beginning to discover.
Turmeric is related to ginger, and from the outside the resemblance is clear. Inside, turmeric is a striking golden color. It is the root of a tall, flowering plant that is ground to a powder and used to create a variety of culinary delights. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has shown to be the source of most of turmeric’s health benefits. This potent spice is found in teas and supplements, in addition to the spice rack.
Benefits of Turmeric
Studies have shown that turmeric offers a wide variety of potential health benefits. Western medicine is confirming what traditional Asian practitioners have known for generations. It is worth noting that the research is still ongoing, and scientists are understanding more and more about how and why turmeric is so beneficial. Turmeric is helpful in a number of different ways.
Inflammation
Inflammation can take many forms in the body, and it has been linked to a variety of chronic conditions. Curcumin (a compound found in turmeric) helps promote a healthy inflammatory response. The Arthritis Foundation lists curcumin and turmeric as beneficial for relieving the symptoms of several forms of arthritis. Read more about research into the effects of turmeric on inflammation.
Mental Health
Research has shown that curcumin has positive effects on brain chemistry, specifically serotonin and dopamine. Keeping these crucial neurotransmitters in a healthy balance is important for overall mental health.
Another mental health benefit of turmeric is reducing levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), which helps people feel more calm and relaxed. For this reason, many people add turmeric to warm milk or take a turmeric supplement at bedtime in order to improve the quality of their sleep.
Immune Boost
The powerful antioxidant properties of turmeric help the body stay healthy in many ways. One important way is helping the immune system to function at its best. The immune system is how the body fights infection, and research has shown that curcumin may be particularly effective in fighting viruses such as the flu.
Other Benefits of Curcumin
Curcumin has many other benefits in the body as well. It helps stabilize blood sugar and it has been shown to help with digestion. Its antioxidant properties help support healthy liver function, particularly in patients who take potentially liver-damaging medications to treat other conditions. Many people find that turmeric helps relieve pain and headache symptoms. Curcumin also supports healthy levels of cholesterol, which is vital for heart health.
There is certainly more research needed to better understand all of the benefits of turmeric. Based on what is already known, however, it is clear that turmeric is a powerful supplement that can help many different body systems to function at their best.
Who Should Not Take Turmeric?
It is always important to check with your doctor before beginning any new supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or are currently taking any medications.
Turmeric can have blood-thinning effects and should therefore be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some studies suggest that turmeric may negatively impact fertility, so women who are trying to become pregnant should also avoid taking turmeric supplements.
Finally, the gastric stimulation that brings positive digestive effects for some people can aggravate other digestive issues, such as acid reflux. Consult your doctor if you have any digestive concerns.
There are no serious side effects associated with taking turmeric supplements.
Choosing a Turmeric Supplement
Why Turmeric with BioPerine?
Turmeric can contain as little as 3% curcumin, and curcumin is a compound that is difficult for the body to absorb. It has poor solubility and is metabolized quickly in the body, so getting the full benefits of a turmeric supplement requires the addition of BioPerine.
BioPerine is derived from black pepper. This extract has been shown to make the curcumin in turmeric much more bioavailable, enabling the body to absorb the compound. BioPerine is sourced from piperine (black pepper extract), and is known to increase nutrient absorption. A study showed that adding piperine increased the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2,000% (source). Be sure to choose a turmeric supplement with BioPerine already added.
Choosing a Safe Daily Dosage
Many studies of the effects of turmeric have used high dosages to produce the greatest results. There is little research available, however, regarding the long-term effects of high-dose consumption. High doses should only be taken for short periods of time under the supervision of a doctor.
When taking turmeric daily, particularly to support healthy inflammation response, most people experience positive effects from a dosage of 400-600 mg, taken up to 3 times daily. It can take at least 4-6 weeks to begin to see effects from taking a turmeric supplement.
Consult your doctor to determine the best dosage levels for your specific circumstances.
Nomad Nutrients Turmeric with BioPerine
The Turmeric with BioPerine supplement from Nomad Nutrients is one of the best turmeric supplements available. It combines 350 mg of organic turmeric powder with 150 mg of turmeric extract that is standardized to contain 95% curcuminoid compounds. The total 500 mg dosage is perfect to take daily to support your overall health.
BioPerine is added to make sure that this quality turmeric is absorbed as efficiently as possible by your body, giving you the maximum health effects that turmeric has to offer.
Nomad Nutrients is a family-owned business and all our supplements are made in the USA.