Naked Food Spotlight: Turmeric
Let’s start by saying that we shouldn’t consume only superfoods. Although these are nutrient powerhouses packed with large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, all plant-foods have a great amount of nutritional benefits. It is wise to include any and all super foods in the diet; however, consuming a wide variety of all kinds of whole plant foods will provide the body with the adequate nutritional balance.
Turmeric has remarkable healing and anti-inflammatory properties and it boosts levels of natural cellular anti-oxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Its ability to inhibit oxidative stress, AGE formation, & inflammatory prostaglandins across multiple organ systems and multiple biochemical pathways makes it an incredibly powerful anti-aging and performance enhancing aid. Through the above-mentioned mechanisms turmeric has been shown to:
- Reverse diabetes
- Improve blood vessel elasticity
- Promote anti-inflammatory behavior at the cellular level
- Stabilize blood pressure
- Improve cardiovascular function
Additionally, by inhibiting pro-inflammatory prostaglandins it is a powerful pain inhibitor and cancer cell inhibitor. Cellular inflammation and oxidative stress are the fundamental cause of degenerative disease.
Blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistant cell membranes are critical factors that promote inflammatory conditions in the body.
Turmeric root is extraordinarily rich in curcuminoid polyphenol anti-oxidants that give it a classic yellow-orange color. The principal crucuminoid is curcumin, which is responsible for much of the health benefits attributed to turmeric.
Curcumin has been shown to stabilize blood sugar and reverse cellular insulin resistance by increasing the number of insulin receptors and improving the receptor binding capacity to insulin. It also acts on the liver to decrease the activity of enzymes that release sugar into the blood while increasing activity of enzymes that store sugar.
It also improves blood flow and reduces brain inflammation, thus making you cognitively sharper while protecting against Dementia, Alzheimer`s, Parkinson`s and every other neurodegenerative disorder. It has been shown to speed up wound healing from cuts & burns while reducing inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema.
August 28, 2016
What is the best way to consume turmeric for healing properties?
Capsules/tablets, in the food, fresh or powder, cooked or raw?
August 28, 2016
Hi Alex, the best way to consume it is in its whole fresh state. That means you can peel and add fresh chopped turmeric into your cooked meals, or raw into smoothies and herbal infusions. A great way to include turmeric during the day is by making an herbal infusion with raw fresh peeled turmeric, ginger, clove, and Ceylon cinnamon. You can boil these ingredients in three cups of filtered water. To enjoy it cold, keep all ingredients and water in a glass jar or container and refrigerate. If you’d like to sweeten it, blend a couple of medjol dates with 1/4 cup filtered water in a blender and add a tablespoon or two to your infusion. You can also use turmeric in powder from an organic source. Stay away from capsules and tablets.
Dr. Michael Greger recommends a serving of turmeric of about 1/2 teaspoon per day.
Keep in mind that sugar, processed, or animal foods should be avoided in order to allow your body to heal.
July 14, 2013
I just learned a lot about turmeric anti aging effects, it is good to know that there are great herbs to combat this problem besides antioxidant supplements and diet.