Login or Register

Benefits of Tumeric Root

Jan 30, 2011 | By Mary Earhart
Benefits of Tumeric Root
Photo Credit curry image by guy from Fotolia.com

Tumeric root, native to tropical parts of Asia, is dried and ground into a yellow-orange powder for use as a seasoning. Curry spices contain tumeric. Curcumin is the active ingredient in tumeric. While tumeric is a good source of calcium, iron, potassium and zinc and should be part of a healthy diet. It has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent or cure any conditions and should not be used as a substitute for regular medical care.

Cancer Fighter

Many plants contain antioxidants, substances that can lower the risk of developing cancer. Antioxidants protect the cells in your body from damage caused by free radicals. Curcumin is an antioxidant. The American Cancer Society reports that in laboratory studies, curcumin inhibits the growth of malignant cells and may slow the spread of several types of cancer in animals. Curcumin has been shown to interfere with cancer's development and growth. Cancer cells die when exposed to curcumin in the laboratory. Animal studies suggest that curcumin may be able to shrink tumors and to prevent the development of several forms of cancer.

Brain Function

A bowl of curry may help you remember where you put your car keys. In a review of curcumin's actions that improve memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease, the substance's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as its affinity for fats that make up brain cells were found to decrease plaque formation, prolong the life of nerve cells and facilitate the breakdown and elimination of toxic metals. The analysis was published in the January 2008 "Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology."

Lower Cholesterol

Tumeric may decrease your risk of heart disease. Scientists in Seoul, Korea, randomized male rats into two groups. All the rats were fed a high-fat diet; one group also was given supplemental curcumin for 8 weeks. Compared to controls, rats treated with curcumin had 27 percent lower triglyceride levels, 33.8 percent lower total cholesterol and 56 percent lower LDL cholesterol levels. Known as bad cholesterol, LDL transports the fatty substance into blood vessels. Rats in the curcumin group also exhibited less evidence of atherosclerosis, a condition of hardening and narrowing of the arteries. The study was published in the June 2010 issue of "Nutrition Research and Practice."

Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief

Try reducing morning stiffness by eating a spicy dinner. Tumeric may be more effective against rheumatoid arthritis than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin. Researchers in Saudi Arabia induced the painful disease in rats in order to compare the effectiveness of three remedies: tumeric, ginger and indomethacin. In this study, rats who were given 200 mg of tumeric per 2.2 pounds of body weight experienced less stiffness and swollen joints than rats who were treated with equal doses of ginger or anti-inflammatory medication. Early treatment was correlated with better outcomes. Tumeric was shown to influence the production of cytokines, molecules secreted by the immune system, which regulate inflammation. The findings, published in the December 2010 issue of "Inflammation," suggest that tumeric may inhibit the onset and progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

References

Article reviewed by Kaydee Lowrey Last updated on: Jan 30, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments