The Advantages Of Turmeric Powder

Turmeric root is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Turmeric root is often dried and ground into a yellow powder, then added to curry spices and consumed in numerous Asian dishes. The biologically active component within turmeric powder is curcumin, which has a variety of reputed health benefits and advantages.

Prevents Stomach Ulcers

According to a study published in 2002 in "Anticancer Research," curcumin inhibits the Helicobacter pylori bacteria from proliferating in the stomach, which is a primary cause of stomach irritation and ulceration. H. pylori is usually contracted through eating contaminated food and is not only the cause of about 80 percent of stomach ulcers, but the bacteria can also provoke stomach and colon cancers. Curcumin's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties act to eliminate H. pylori infections from the gastrointestinal system.

Gastrointestinal Advantages

In addition to preventing stomach ulceration and inflammation, curcumin provides additional gastrointestinal benefits such as reducing heartburn and indigestion, moderating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and preventing recurrence of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Anti-Cancer Advantages

Curcumin has also demonstrated anti-cancer effects in skin, breast, lung and prostate cancers, the incidences of which are all 10 times lower in India when compared to the United States. A study published in "Anticancer Research" in 2003 found that curcumin destroys malignant prostate cells, most likely by blocking the activation of genes that trigger cancer. The researchers believe curcumin can suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis, while being completely safe with no known toxicity. Curcumin also has its own antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties and enhances the body's immune system. In fact, turmeric extract has been tested as a more potent antioxidant than garlic, devil's claw and salmon oil.

Arthritis Advantages

Due to curcumin's strong anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric powder can be used topically and internally to reduce joint and soft tissue inflammations. Arthritis research demonstrates that curcumin acts as a scavenger of nitric oxide and superoxides, and functions to inhibit the pro-inflammatory substance COX-2. Clinically, curcumin has proven to work as well as cortisone or phenylbutazone for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and postoperative inflammation, reports the "International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy and Toxicology." Curcumin also has the advantage of being nontoxic and not producing any adverse side effects.

Inhibits Plaque Formation

In India, where turmeric powder is consumed daily, only 1 percent of those ages 65 and older develop Alzheimer's disease. A physical characteristic of Alzheimer's is the growth of amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which cause oxidative stress, inflammation and disrupt cognitive function. A study published in 2004 in the "Journal of Biological Chemistry" found that feeding mice curcumin reduced their induced Alzheimer's plaques by 50 percent. The researchers discovered that curcumin was able to cross into the brain and bind to amyloid protein and prevent plaque formation. Curcumin also reduced brain inflammation and displayed a protective property for myelin, which is the protective sheath that surrounds neurons.