What Are The Benefits Of Turmeric Pills?

Turmeric is a perennial plant related to ginger native to southeast Asia. It is commonly ground into a bright yellow powder and used in Indian cuisine to make yellow curry. Turmeric contains a molecule called curcumin that has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

History

Turmeric is the hot, bitter and vibrant yellow spice common in southeast Asian dishes. Like many spices used commonly in cooking, it is purported to have wide-ranging medicinal benefits and has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Curcumin is the main component in turmeric root, responsible for its benefits. Curcumin is a bright yellow fat-soluble polyphenol.

Benefits

Turmeric relieves dyspepsia or nausea. Although not yet established in double-blind clinical trials, curcumin acts as both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. It is a selective inhibitor of the COX-2 enzyme involved in the inflammatory response. Curcumin appears to lack the gastrointestinal effects of other anti-inflammatory medications, due to nonspecific inhibition of COX-1.

Human clinical trials are underway investigating using curcumin in a wide range of human diseases including certain types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin may aid in recovering from exercise and increase the rate of fat loss.

Bioavailability

The recommended dosage of turmeric extract is 500 mg two to four times daily. Since curcumin is fat-soluble, rather than water-soluble, it is not easily absorbed in the intestines. Curcumin is unstable in the intestine and is rapidly broken down.
The addition of piperine, an extract of black pepper, to turmeric supplements slows the destruction of curcumin in the intestines increasing the amount absorbed into your bloodstream. Since curcumin is fat-soluble, taking turmeric pills with meals containing fat or supplements such as fish oil may increase absorption by your body.

Complementing Turmeric

Turmeric supplements increase recovery and fat loss through suppressing inflammation. It cannot be as potent if a chronic state of low-grade inflammation exists in your body. A diet high in protein and grains without fruits or vegetables allows metabolic acids to build up in your blood stream, leading to chronic acidosis and inflammation (Reference 4). Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids and high intake of omega-6 fatty acids favors inflammation in your body. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and supplement with omega-3 fatty acids to maximize turmeric's benefits.

Caution

Although turmeric is generally regarded as safe, supplementation with turmeric extracts may cause unwanted interactions with medications you are taking. Talk to you doctor before adding any supplement to your regimen. Do not supplement with turmeric if you are pregnant or nursing. Turmeric may act as an anticoagulant so those going into surgery or with bleeding disorders should not take turmeric. Turmeric may interfere with the absorption of iron or other mineral supplements in the intestines. Curcumin may increase the risk of gall stones in susceptible individuals.