Curcumin - info
Regular use of curcumin reduces inflammation and blood sugar levels. Researchers studied 117 people diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome to test the effects of curcumin on inflammation. Some participants took 1 gram of crushed curcumin daily, while the other part received placebo pills. The result of the study - participants taking curcumin had lower levels of three inflammatory markers in their blood. Those were C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c (a measure that determines long-term blood sugar levels).
It is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which builds it into a salutary neuroprotective agent for the full range of neurological disorders. It acts similarly to vitamin D by modulating quite a few genes.
Previous experiments have also proven that curcumin works by penetrating cell membranes, improving their physical properties, and fixing them. In terms of anti-inflammatory properties, it is able to reduce both the activity and synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other pro-inflammatory enzymes.
An experiment conducted in 2006 also proved that turmeric extract rich in curcuminoids (curcumin is a substance of this group) can reduce inflammation by effectively inhibiting the formation of proteins that are responsible for pain and swelling.
How to take curcumin?
Turmeric can be one of the highly beneficial herbs in the world. In India, it is commonly referred to as the 'spice of life’. Curcumin found in turmeric has a predisposition to modulate activity and genetic expression, including damaging cancer cells and supporting healthy cells. It also enables anti-angiogenesis, meaning that it prevents the growth of blood vessels that cancer cells need to grow. Curcumin seems to provide support in almost every type of cancer.
Additionally, as more and more studies are showing, curcumin can be useful in
- Accelerating wound healing
- Protecting against liver damage
- Stimulating bile secretion
- Defending against cataracts
- Maintaining normal cholesterol levels
- Counteracting oxidation of low-density lipoproteins
An experiment featured in Natural Products Report in 2011 showed that curcumin can be an excellent tool to confront the symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome.
It has versatile applications in the fight against ailments including:
- lung and liver disease
- neurological ailments
- autoimmune disorders
- cardiovascular disease
- inflammations
- metabolic dysfunctions
