For a long time, turmeric has been used as a spice in curry. Recently it gets attention, and it is the most potent herb on the planet. Turmeric gained its title thanks to its ability to combat and possibly help reverse a certain disease.
In fact, turmeric is among the most researched plants nowadays. The components of turmeric especially curcumin and its medicinal properties have been subject to more than 5 600 published biomedical studies.
Moreover, 5-year-long research on this plant found over 600 potential therapeutic and preventive applications and around 175 beneficial physiological effects.
The most interesting study is the one that says that the benefits of turmeric are equal to those of pharmaceutical medications. Below is a list of 10 conditions in which instead of the usual pharmaceutical medications you can use organic turmeric as a better option.
10 Health Conditions Where Organic Turmeric is a Better Option
1. Cholesterol Regulators
In 2017 heart disease is a big problem since more people have pre-diabetes, i.e., excessive blood sugar.
Due to this, many of those with pre-diabetes and diabetes suffer from oxidative stress which causes damage to the blood vessels. Then cholesterol patches up this damage, and that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol.
Usually, the treatment for cholesterol build-up is Statin. Statin lowers cholesterol levels. However, it harms the kidneys and livers and leads to other side effects.
Statin never addresses the root of the problem, which is the oxidative stress which is induced by inflammation and high blood glucose levels. According to studies, curcumin in turmeric is as good as diabetes drugs when it comes to lowering inflammation and oxidative stress.
2. Steroids
Turmeric can be good for many conditions which are usually treated with corticosteroids like chronic pain, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and psoriasis.
In a 1999 study came the discovery that curcumin can treat eye chronic inflammation. Usually, the treatment for this condition is steroids. However, nowadays it is common for doctors to recommend curcumin instead.
The crucial difference between using steroids and turmeric is the side effects. There is a huge list of side effects of using steroids. Some of them are growth problems in kids, asthma, hypertension, i.e., high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes.
3. Arthritis Management
In one study around 45 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis took part to compare the benefits of curcumin in turmeric and the drug for arthritis Diclofenac Sodium.
The 45 participants were separated into 3 groups. The first one took Diclofenac Sodium, the second curcumin treatment and the third took a combination of both things.
The second group that only took the curcumin treatment showed the best results in improvement. Meaning that curcumin is the safer and better option. Diclofenac Sodium can lead to heart disease and leaky gut.
4. Anti-depressants
Only a few studies about the efficiency of turmeric for depression are done on humans. Many studies that prove its efficiency are actually done on laboratory animals.
The Journal of Phytotherapy Research published a study about this. In this study, there were 60 patients with MDD, i.e., major depressive disorder.
The participants were separated into 3 groups. One group took curcumin, the other Prozac, and the last took a combination of both things. This study showed that when it comes to treating depression, curcumin is as good as Prozac.
5. Gastrointestinal Treatments
People who experience stomach and digestive complaints often get a prescription for corticosteroids. The bad news is that people can become intolerant to these medical interventions because the flora of their stomach is damaged and the corticosteroids might tear up the mucosal lining.
According to studies the ability of turmeric to manage Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis and IBS made patients stop taking corticosteroids since their conditions were better after taking curcumin.
This is good news for people who have these diseases. Although corticosteroids lower the pain symptoms, over time, they damage the intestinal lining and make the condition worse.
Turmeric can help treat these conditions because it serves as anti-inflammatory supporting good bacteria and the growth and healing of the gut.
6. Painkillers
An article in the European Journal of Pharmacology came to the discovery that curcumin switches the opioid system in rats with diabetes. This process is usually manipulated by medications.
Another study looked at the many pain conditions which might be treated with the help of turmeric. One of these conditions was serious burns. Typically the treatment for serious burns is harmful opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.
According to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, you can use curcumin to treat burns thanks to its anti-inflammatory benefits.
7. Diabetes Management
Probably turmeric is the best natural treatment regarding insulin resistance and lowering blood glucose.
In 2009, Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications published a study that investigated how turmeric can help manage diabetes.
This study came to the discovery that the curcumin in turmeric is 400 times more potent than Metformin (the common diabetes drug) in triggering AMPK to help manage diabetes type 2 and improve insulin resistance.
Also, curcumin helps reverse many problems linked to hyperglycemia and decreased insulin sensitivity like loss of sight. Diabetes leads to loss of sight due to damaged blood vessels, but curcumin can delay this.
8. Antiplatelets/Anticoagulants
Usually to prevent or slow blood clotting and treat conditions such as vascular thrombosis what doctors prescribe is Ibuprofen, Asprin, Naproxen, and Warfarin.
These drugs come with harmful side effects such as headaches, excessive bleeding, hemorrhages, and more.
In the mid-80s, studies came to the discovery that curcumin in turmeric is better when it comes to treating vascular thrombosis. The good thing is that with turmeric there are no side effects unless you take it in extremely excessive amounts.
9. Anti-inflammatories
When it comes to turmeric one of its biggest strengths is its ability to prevent and reverse diseases thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The journal Oncogene published a study that made a comparison of a few anti-inflammatory compounds. This study came to the discovery that turmeric is more efficient in comparison to Aspirin and Ibuprofen.
Conclusion
Turmeric is something that should always be on your shopping list. Always go for the organic source of turmeric because it is the best. Remember before making any changes to your lifestyle choices, consult a doctor.
Source Apple News | Medical News Today
