Minds Weapon

All you need to know about turmeric

Turmeric

Turmeric is a plant used as a type of spice, and it is cultivated in India and other parts of Asia and Central America, and it has been used since ancient times to treat some medical conditions, as it is currently used as a food supplement in some cases,and returns Most of the benefits of turmeric because it contains a compound called curcumin , which is a powerful compound that has anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore it is effective as some anti-inflammatory drugs, and this compound also has anti-oxidant properties, which may improve heart health, and may reduce risk the incidence of cancer , It can be said that curcumin be accounted for 2-8% of turmeric, which gives turmeric its color and flavor discerning,

Turmeric can be used in several ways, as it can be used in various cooking recipes to add flavor to many foods and spices, such as Indian curry spices, and some types of cheese and butter, as it can be drunk as a tea, or added to many recipes, while its nutritional supplements are used in some pathological cases, Such as joint pain and inflammation, kidney problems, heartburn, and Alzheimer 's disease , in addition to Irritable Bowel Syndrome , but there are not enough studies that confirm the effectiveness of these supplements in these cases, It is worth noting that it is advisable when purchasing turmeric to choose organic and branded brands. To ensure its quality.

Turmeric benefits according to degree of effectiveness

Turmeric provides many health benefits to the human body, which vary according to the degree of its effectiveness, and we mention from these benefits the following:

Possibly Effective

Reducing triglyceride and cholesterol levels: Turmeric can reduce triglyceride levels , but its effect on cholesterol levels is still under study.

Relieve depression: as the intake compound curcumin twice daily for 6 weeks was effective as a medicine Filoksian anti -depressant , according to what indicated by one study at Beijing University in China in 2005 on mice.

Reducing fat accumulation in the liver in people who do not drink alcohol: Studies show that consuming turmeric extract reduces signs of liver damage in people with liver disease that is not the result of alcohol consumption, or what is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease , and turmeric also appears to help prevent the accumulation of other amounts of fat in the liver in people with this condition.

Reducing arthritis symptoms: As the curcumin compound in turmeric is believed to target specific inflammatory cells, and inhibits the enzymes that cause inflammation,the Arthritis Foundation therefore recommends the use of turmeric for people with this condition, as indicated A 2016 review that consuming 1,000 milligrams of curcumin for a period of 12 weeks reduced pain and inflammation caused by arthritis , and it should be noted that turmeric can be used in a number of ways to relieve arthritis; It can be drunk as a tea, or added to milk or coffee, and other methods. In addition, the plant compounds found in turmeric can reduce inflammatory markers in the body, which contributes to alleviating symptoms of degenerative arthritis

There is insufficient evidence for its effectiveness.

Reducing the symptoms of irritable colon: A study conducted in 2004 indicated that people who took turmeric extract daily for 8 weeks experienced a decrease in abdominal pain and an improvement in the quality of life, but this study was not sufficient, and more evidence is still needed to confirm it. , also indicated another animal study in 2010 ( Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences) to the possibility of curcumin 's ability to cure all the problems of the digestive system , as it is believed that it relieves contractions is natural in it, but it is uncertain after.

Reducing the risk of diabetes: One of the first studies published in Diabetes Care in 2012, which included people at risk of diabetes, indicated that those who consumed curcumin for 9 months were less likely to develop diabetes compared to those who did not take it, and scientists believe that turmeric may It is beneficial for people with diabetes, because it has anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress properties that are factors in this disease, and a review of more than 200 studies published in the Journal of Evidence-Based and Alternative Medicine indicated that Curcumin compound can improve insulin resistanceAnd levels of cholesterol in people with diabetes, but this review has indicated that it does not affect blood sugar levels, and there is still a need for further studies in humans to know its exact impact.

Moreover, it has been observed that turmeric may be useful for preventing complications from diabetes. In a review that included a group of studies in 2018 in diabetic mice, it was observed that those who were given curcumin were less likely to develop liver problems, and in a study conducted in humans, it was found that consuming 45 milligrams of curcumin for two months reduced total and harmful cholesterol levels. .

In addition, curcumin can contribute to the prevention of complications caused by Diabetic neuropathy, such as eye problems, gastric stenosis (Gastroparesis), which causes slow or interrupted movement of food through the digestive system, and cognitive impairment. : Cognitive deficit).

Relieve ulcerative colitis: ; It has been found that turmeric can keep the symptoms caused by this disease calm, as a review study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center indicated that taking ulcerative colitis patients with curcumin may make them less likely to relapse when used with drugs used to treat this disease, but researchers have indicated That these results are uncertain, and there are still to be conducted on a larger sample to confirm.

Improving cases of people with TB: (Tuberculosis); Using a product that contains turmeric and a plant called bottle (Tinospora cordifolia) can reduce bacteria and improve wound healing, and it may also reduce liver intoxication caused by treatments that patients take, according to a 2008 study at the University of Vir Narmada South Gujarat University in India.

Reducing pain: Curcumin is believed to work in a similar way to ibuprofen in people with atherosclerosis . In a study conducted at Mahidol University in Thailand in 2009 it was found that taking 800 mg capsules might provide these benefits, although studies did not agree on a specific dose Daily.

The possibility of reducing the risk of some types of cancer: in addition to limiting its spread in the event of infection; As the antioxidant properties available in curcumin can reduce infections that play a role in cancer, many laboratory and animal studies have indicated that this compound may reduce the risk of cancer and slow its spread, as it can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and protect Cells recovering from damage caused by radiation therapy, It is also believed that it possesses properties that can prevent mutations in DNA, regulate programmed cell death, and may help kill cancer cells by activating the activity of enzymes called caspases inside cancer cells, which are enzymes that destroy these cells from within them. It has been observed that this effect does not occur in the cells recovered in the body, but only in cells with cancer, but the cause of this is not known yet.

It was also noted that the incidence of some types of cancer in countries where people use turmeric is lower compared to other countries, and therefore some researchers from Washington State University have developed a drug delivery system ( Drug delivery system) using Curcumin, and this system inhibited the growth of cancerous cells in the bone, and promoted the growth of new healthy bone cells, In addition, it was found in a study conducted in Nanjing Medical University in 2011 that turmeric improved Cases of colorectal cancer ,

Possibly ineffective

Reducing stomach ulcers: where studies indicated that eating turmeric three times per day for 8 weeks did not improve cases of stomach ulcers, and the use of powder 4 times per day for 6 weeks was less effective than antacid medications

Possibility of improving Alzheimer's patients' conditions because they contain curcumin compound; Which can cause the disintegration of Amyloid-beta plaques, which are associated with the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease, and may help to get rid of them, but clinical studies have not been able to confirm this, as it is worth noting that turmeric contains another compound called tormerone, and some studies conducted on animals have indicated that this compound may stimulate stem cells to produce new brain cells, such as a study conducted at Cologne University Hospital in Germany in 2014, and in theory it can be said that this is useful in cases of degenerative disorders in the nervous system As Alzheimer's disease, however, these studies are not confirmed and it is not yet known whether the compound Tourmeron affects humans in the same way.

Studies on the benefits of turmeric

A 2013 study conducted at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2013 included a study of obese people who consumed one gram of the curcumin compound for 30 days and witnessed a significant and significant decrease in triglyceride levels, However, their cholesterol and body mass index levels were not affected, and it is worth noting that these results may be due to consuming a small dose of turmeric supplements for a short period without following a diet, but they differ with the results of other studies.

In another study conducted in 2015 at Genova University in Italy, it was found that giving overweight people to 800 milligrams of turmeric supplement that contained curcumin by 95% in conjunction with following a diet that led to their weight loss and an indicator Body mass increased by 2% during the first month of the experiment, and their percentage of weight loss increased to range between 5% to 6% during the second month. However, experts point out that these results are not confirmed, and more studies are still needed to confirm it.

A 2007 study by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas said in 2007 that turmeric, when consumed in low doses, could stimulate the response of antibodies, which may be beneficial in the case of arthritis, allergies, and asthma Part of this effect may be due to its ability to adjust or control the level of activity of T cells, B lymphocytes, phagocytic cells, neutral cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells in the immune system, but more studies are still needed on the possibility of Turmeric insertion in cases of immune disorders.

A 2016 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that turmeric and curcumin extract contributed to protecting the liver from chronic damage, possibly due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress.

A study of mice at Yale University School of Medicine in 2004 indicated that curcumin may be able to correct some of the problems associated with the genes that lead to this disease. [38] There are many studies and researches today that study the role of turmeric in the prevention, control, and treatment of cystic fibrosis.

The recommended dose of turmeric

Usually studies recommend using an amount ranging from 500 to 2000 milligrams of turmeric extract daily, because the extracts contain a much greater concentration of curcumin than regular turmeric, in other words it can be said that regular turmeric contains curcumin by 3%, while turmeric extract contains Curcumin is 95%, and it is worth noting that it is advised to avoid using large doses of turmeric for a long time, there are no studies that confirm that this is safe for health, but the World Health Organization has shown that consuming 1.4 mg of turmeric per 0.3 kg of body weight is safe, and Although there are no specific doses for turmeric, we will mention in what follows some of the recommended doses according to different cases:

Degenerative arthritis cases: It is recommended to take 500 milligrams of turmeric extract twice a day, for two to three months.

Cases of high cholesterol: It is recommended to consume 700 milligrams of turmeric extract twice daily for a period of 3 months.

Itchy skin conditions: It is recommended to take 500 milligrams of turmeric three times daily for a period of two months.

Precautions associated with turmeric use

Despite the multiple benefits of turmeric, its use can cause some side effects, such as heartburn, or cause bad taste in the mouth, constipation or diarrhea , and it has a calming and analgesic effect that may affect a person's activity during the day, in addition to that it may cause Gas, flatulence, indigestion, acid reflux, and nausea, and can lead to vomiting, feces yellowing, and stomach pain , It is also worth noting that there is one case in which a person took 1500 milligrams of turmeric twice daily and suffered from a disorder It is dangerous in the heart rhythm, but it is not known if turmeric is what led to this occurrence, and in addition to that there are some specific cases that are recommended to avoid using turmeric or use it with caution, and we mention from these cases the following:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Eating turmeric with the quantities in the food is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but eating it in medicinal quantities is not safe, as it may stimulate the menstrual cycle and uterus, which endangers pregnancy, and there is no information confirming the safety of using it in large quantities during Lactation .

Gallbladder problems: As turmeric can make gallbladder problems worse, it is therefore advised that people with blockages in the bile duct, or gallstones, avoid using turmeric.

Diabetes: As curcumin can lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes are therefore advised to use caution when using turmeric.

Gastroesophageal reflux As turmeric may cause stomach upset in some people, it may make some gastric problems - such as gastroesophageal reflux - worse.

Hormone-sensitive cases: It is believed that the curcumin compound can affect a similar way to the hormone estrogen, which can worsen the sensitive cases of hormones, such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometriosis , and fibroids Uterine fibroids, although studies have found that turmeric may reduce the effect of estrogen in some cancerous cells sensitive to hormones, and because of conflicting studies, it is advised to use turmeric with caution in these cases to confirm its effect.

Infertility: As turmeric can reduce testosterone levels and sperm motility in men, it can reduce fertility, so people who want to have children are advised to use turmeric with caution.

Iron deficiency: Eating large quantities of turmeric can prevent the body from absorbing iron , so people with a deficiency in this mineral should use turmeric with caution.

Operations: Turmeric can slow blood clotting, and therefore it may cause bleeding further. Therefore, people who will undergo any surgery are advised to avoid using turmeric at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery.