Health benefits and four common uses of curcumin capsules
Curcumin is extracted from turmeric rhizomes and is yellowish in colour. Although part of the ginger family, curcumin’s colour is more pronounced than ginger’s cream appearance. Ground turmeric has been used for centuries in Ayurveda and ancient Chinese medicine to treat inflammation and pain. It is also a popular Indian spice for curries! In this article, we are going to explore four common uses of curcumin capsules to improve health and wellbeing.
The bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric is low, meaning it is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal lining. However, curcumin capsules are modified to boost the absorption of curcuminoids in the body with immense benefits. Turmeric contains about 3% curcumin, which can be enhanced by the extraction and production of modern capsules.
Research findings show that curcumin has immense benefits in human beings, as highlighted below.
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Brain and mental health
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene boosts the production of proteins, vital in the multiplication and development of neurons in specific brain cells where cognitive faculties emanate from. Research shows that BDNF deterioration causes mental conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and depression that cannot be cured but can be managed with therapy.
Evidence also proves that curcumin bolsters the production of the BDNF gene in animals, and the treatment can be applied in humans to treat mental conditions. However, there is no consensus on the ideal dosage required.
Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS is a condition that affects motor neurons of the spinal cord leading to the deterioration of muscles and chronic fatigue. A study on the effects of curcumin on an Iranian patient showed that curcumin therapy reverses ALS fully. However, there is a need for further studies with a large sample to verify the findings of the Iran research. Nonetheless, the success is promising For ALS patients.
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Prevention of oxidative damage
Oxidative damage occurs when cells are damaged when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Oxidation is a normal and essential process, but this imbalance and resultant oxidative stress can result in excessive free radicals causing damage to fatty acids, proteins, and DNA in the body. Curcumin capsules have antioxidizing properties that protect cells and molecules from the harmful free radicals that cause ageing and diseases like cancer.
The micronutrient also stimulates the production of healthy antioxidants to rejuvenate the cells, prevent damage, and correct abnormalities in cell structures.
Regarding cancer, clinical reviews show that curcumin reduces the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy resulting in improving patients quality of life and that curcumin has “increased patient survival time and decreased tumour markers’ level. This adds to other research findings that demonstrate that the micronutrient prevents the formation of blood vessels in cancer cells and prevents the spread of the tumours to other parts of the body.
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Prevention of chronic inflammation
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties for chronic cases. Severe inflammation distorts cells and causes diseases like cancer, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and degenerative conditions that mainstream medicine has not had a breakthrough.
Hence, curcumin capsules offer a panacea for protecting vital organs from chronic inflammatory damage that some people are highly susceptible to due to environmental factors or genetic abnormalities that become symptomatic at some stages in life.
Conclusively, curcumin capsules enable the body to absorb curcumin, usually not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Do consider, therefore, that curcumin capsules might be the best option to help increase your immunity level. In addition, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidation properties protect cellular damage hence preventing and treating a host of diseases.
You might also consider curcumin as an option rather than relying on pain killers that may cause other side effects and potentially be addictive, but always speak to your doctor before stopping prescribed medications.