Benefits Of Curcumin

turmericBenefits Of Curcumin

The golden yellow color of turmericÂ’ (Curcuma Longa) is due to the presence of a biologically active component known as curcumin. According to Chinese herbal medicine, and many Asian streams of medicines including the Ayurveda, turmeric is an excellent natural treatment for healing various kinds of wounds. Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties turmeric and its main constituent curcumin are used for curing many diseases. The numerous benefits of curcumin include:

1.Helps to treat cancer.
On application of curcumin on cultured cells, it was found that this compound is capable of reducing and stopping the propagation of various types of cancers in animals. Curcumin has been successful in treating cancers of mouth, liver, stomach, and colon. In human studies the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract are able to successfully absorb and utilize oral curcumin quite readily as compared to the other organs. Thus curcumin as an anticancer cure might prove to be effective in treating the cancers of gastrointestinal tract.

2.Beneficial for the stomach.
Since earlier times, turmeric has been used for the treatment of stomach problems such as indigestion due to intake of fatty meal. Preliminary evidences show that turmeric offers some relief from stomach problems, though more research needs to be one in this field.

3.Helps to prevent gallstones.
In India there are less people suffering with gallstones. This is sometimes credited to the regular intake of turmeric in the Indian diet. Animal studies suggest that curcumin, the most vital chemical found in turmeric, helps to reduce the occurrence of gallstones. Although very limited research has been done on humans it suggests that curcumin helps to stimulate the squeezing or contraction of the gallbladder. It also aids in stimulating the flow of bile juice into the digestive system.

4.High cholesterol.
Various studies on animals suggest that turmeric might help to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein and also the total cholesterol in human blood. Preliminary research in humans suggests a similar kind of effect in people suffering from problems of high cholesterol.

5.Helps to treat arthritis.
Turmeric has been traditionally used for treating inflammatory conditions like rheumatic arthritis. Laboratory studies show that anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin present in turmeric is beneficial in people suffering from osteoarthritis.

6.Aids in treating scabies
Due to the presence of curcumin turmeric has traditionally been used for the treatment of scabies and chronic skin ulcers.

As curcumin induces contractions in the gallbladder, people suffering from problems related to gallbladder and bile duct should avoid the additional usage of this supplement. Curcumin is a mild stimulant of uterus and is therefore not suggested for pregnant women.

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