Curcumin is an active constituent of the herb turmeric. Turmeric comes mainly from India and is used in seasoning curries. Curcumin has been used for centuries and has valuable medicinal value. Chinese, Greek and Roman cultures knew of the benefits. Modern health care is just beginning to understand the medicinal properties of curcumin, which includes anti-inflammatory, cancer fighting and gastrointestinal benefits.
Anti-Inflammatory
Curcumin has excellent benefits as an anti-inflammatory. According to the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS), curcumin helps to reduce inflammation by lowering histamine levels. This in turn helps to increase the production of natural levels of cortisone from the adrenal glands. According to "Cell Molecular Life Sciences" from 2008, in vivo studies have demonstrated that curcumin inhibits inflammation. In fact, UMHS reports that curcumin has been found useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, a great deal of the research that has been done has not included humans but has been done on animals. More research needs to be done to determine the full benefits of using curcumin on humans.
Cancer Fighting
Curcumin may also be beneficial as a cancer-fighting agent. According to "Cell Molecular Life Sciences," curcumin helps to prevent cancer development and progression by targeting various areas in the pathway to malignancy. Curcumin may also be beneficial in fighting tumors. According to the journal "Carcinogenesis," research in 1993 showed that dietary supplements of curcumin significantly suppressed tumors in the colon and the incidence of tumors multiplying. However, most of the research has been done on animals and more research needs to be done on human subjects to know what the full benefits are for fighting cancer and suppressing tumors.
Gastrointestinal
Curcumin may also be helpful in treating stomach ailments. According to the "Journal of Medical Association Thai," research done in 1989 found that in a double-blind study, curcumin was helpful in treating the problem of indigestion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, curcumin also helps to support the liver and increase bile production in the gall bladder. This help to improve our digestive systems and prevent heartburn and diarrhea.
References
- "Cell Molecular Life Sciences"; Curcumin: From Ancient Medicine to Current Clinical Trials; H. Hatcher, et al.; 2008
- "Carcinogenesis"; Inhibition by Dietary Curcumin of Asoxymethane-Induced Ornithine Decarboxylase Tyrosine Protein Kinase, Arachidonic Acid Metabolism and Aberrant Crypt Foci Formation in the Rat Colon; C. Rao, et al.; 1993
- "Journal of Medical Association Thai"; Randomized Double-Blind Study of Curcuma Domestica Val for Dyspepsia; V. Thamlikitkul, et al.; 1989
- The University of Michigan Health System: Turmeric
- The University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
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