Alrighty!  Yesterday we started looking into Turmeric and discovered some amazing benefits Turmeric provides.  Today, we’ll look at a few more exciting reasons to getting more Turmeric into our lives.

Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin Supplementation – I don’t know about you, but this news makes me very happy!  In western cultures, arthritis is quite prevalent.  Keeping in mind that most forms of arthritis involve inflammation of the joints, the Curcumin in Turmeric should help provide relief. In fact, studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of Curcumin in arthritis sufferers.  For example, one study by the US National Library of Medicine’s National Institutes of Health showed Curcumin was more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug.  Natural is best, don’t you agree?  Suffering from arthritis myself, I’m definitely going to be getting some supplements!

Curcumin may be helpful in treating and preventing Alzheimer’s – If you’ve ever had a loved one with Alzheimer’s you know just how debilitating it can be! Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a leading cause of dementia. Inflammation and oxidative damage contribute to Alzheimer’s, both of which we discovered yesterday can be helped by Curcumin.  Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, there is hope! Curcumin has been discovered to have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. One main feature of Alzheimer’s is buildup of protein tangles called Amyloid plaques. Studies have shown that curcumin can help clear these plaques.  Yes, more studies need to be conducted, but by taking Curcumin, you may be able to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.

The Cancer and Curcumin Connection – In my previous blog, I  touched on some wonderful discoveries made concerning Curcumin’s effect on cancer.  Today I found some interesting facts I thought I’d share.  Did you know that when Turmeric is combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer?  :-O  Turmeric also may prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide. It has prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice. Now, I know we aren’t mice, but that’s helpful info (especially for Minnie Mouse!!) 😉  Another study is saying that Turmeric and the Curcumin contained within it may prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer. For those currently going through Chemo, Turmeric boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects. (Yay!)  My last fact concerning this wonder food is it has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

For those folks who think there has to be a negative in there somewhere, you’d be right, but only if you have gallstones or a bile obstruction.  Those folks should NOT take Turmeric.  Other than that, we’re all good!

To me, it sounds like a good supplement to take all around!  What do you think?   I may just report on a couple more benefits next time.  Turmeric seems to be a super spice!