Incorporating turmeric and curcumin in our daily diet has greater advantages, as it helps to revive our immune system’s ability to detect and fight against all infectious external hazards. Consumption of curcumin helps to promote normal cell health, which on the other hand improves our body’s natural fighting capacity. Curcumin, the naturally occurring chemical in turmeric, helps to boost our immune system by maintaining the immunomodulating capacity of the body along with acting as an inflammation inhibitor. Curcumin has various positive properties i.e. it is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial, anti-hyperglycemic, cytoprotective agent, and anti-viral.
Difference between Curcumin and Turmeric
Curcumin is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in spice turmeric. Whereas turmeric, is the root of a plant which is scientifically known as Curcuma Longa and that’s probably where curcumin got its name from. Raw turmeric is used in South Asian countries, although in India the powdered spice is more common in use. After the turmeric root is harvested it is cleaned, and then dried for further process. Later, the dried root may be sold as it is or grounded into a fine powder. In India, it is often known as Indian saffron, yellow ginger, yellow root, or kacha haldi.
Turmeric is a great source of curcumin because it contains about 2 to 5% of curcumin. Curcumin belongs to a family of chemicals that are known as curcuminoid, which is a bright yellow colour. Being multi-tasking, curcumin works on multiple functions and processes at the same time, which is why it has been touted to heal everything right from pain and inflammation, tumours and thus promoting brain health.
What is Curcumin
The amazing ingredient Curcumin is found within the turmeric root. The ingredient is rich in antioxidants and proves a reliable dietary intake for promoting a healthy inflammation response in the body. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, cytoprotective agent, and anti-viral. Besides improving the digestive system, it also reduces bloating and manages gas symptoms. Curcumin is a bioactive substance that fights inflammation at the molecular level and may be as effective as any pharmaceutical drug without any side effects. Curcumin has the maximum benefits when consumed in relatively fewer quantities, which is why they are added to supplements.
What is Turmeric
The golden spice turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. Being having its appearance from the ginger family, it is widely cultivated in India and has medicinal properties compounds. These compounds are known as curcuminoids, the most important of which is ‘Curcumin’. However, curcumin products contain an average of 95% curcuminoids with limited solubility. Turmeric, being potent bold colour adds a unique flavour to many dishes. Besides all, turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that has been used as a medicinal aid for centuries primarily in Asian countries.
Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin
- Manages inflammation – Even though inflammation is important to fight bacteria and other foreign invaders, too much inflammation starts to damage healthy cells, organs, and other parts of the body.
- Reduces exercise-induced inflammation – Problems like body fatigue, irritation, muscle soreness, candida overgrowth, infections, and injuries are in fewer chances
- Protection against deadly viruses – Protects against viruses like HIV, influenza type A, and Zika.
- Manages Lipid Profile – Regulates blood pressure, bad cholesterol, insulin resistance, menstruation, high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, and has blood-thinning properties. Using turmeric may stop your liver from being damaged by toxins, which may land you with serious liver problems.
- Abdominal Disorders – Curb’s indigestion, excessive gas problem, liver injury, and heart-related diseases.
- Thyroid Diseases – Shows benefits with thyroid disease by helping to maintain proper metabolism and reducing lymph node swelling.
- Skin Problems – Heals eczema, photoaging, acne, psoriasis, ringworm, leech bites, lichen planus, skin damage due to radiation therapy, and slows down ageing. It has a great healing mechanism, as it is beneficial to heal cuts and wounds and adds as an antiseptic for the skin as well. Its natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties make it an effective disinfectant. While sprinkling organic turmeric or turmeric powder over the affected area helps to heal faster.
- Beneficial for Arthritis – Helpful for rheumatoid arthritis patients; it reduces swelling and also manages to curtail knee pain of osteoarthritis patients. The antioxidants present in turmeric allows destroying free radicals in the human body that damages the cells.
- Prevents in Cancer – Alleviates breast, prostate, gastric, colon, and rectal cancer and reduces the spreading of uncontrolled cancer cells.
- Promoting good Eye health – Manages degenerative eye conditions, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and metabolic syndrome.
Effects of Curcumin when combined with Zinc
Since curcumin cannot be absorbed by the body individually, it needs to be taken in combination with either lecithin, zinc, or piperine. This improves its efficacy, stability, and solubility. Both zinc and curcumin are also antioxidants and decrease inflammation in the human body along with other benefits. Many people are found to be deficient in zinc, so taking a supplement with the benefits of both zinc and curcumin can be helpful in many ways, a few of them are mentioned below.
- Curcumin-zinc complex is more soluble and stable than curcumin alone.
- It expands the efficacy of curcumin leading to more of an anti-inflammatory effect.
- The zinc and curcumin combination is gastroprotective.
- Proven positive in antidepressant effects and also helps in reducing blood glucose.
- Helps to maintain the lipid profile and has shown a decrease in plasma insulin levels for the basal levels.
- Increases activity in liver enzymes.
- Helps to heal anaemia and allows an increase in plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin.
- It is suitable for various protein misfolding diseases.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
