The health benefits of turmeric powder and when to avoid it

Used for over 5000 years in Ayurvedic medicine as a purifying, digestive, anti-inflammatory and to combat arthritis and liver disorders, turmeric is a spice obtained from the root of a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern Asia, Curcuma Longa, and is a relative of ginger.

Already in 600 BC it seems to be mentioned in an Assyrian medical treatise as well as archaeological finds in the East report evidence engraved with cuneiform characters on stone dating back to 3000 BC.

C. Introduced to Europe by the Dutch who imported it from the East Indies, turmeric is also defined “Saffron of the Indies” for its typical yellow / gold color and is widely used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. For some time it has also made its entry into our dishes and not only, given that there are several uses of turmeric also as a cosmetic pack for skin and hair.

But what are the benefits of turmeric for our health?
First of all this spice has a strong anti-inflammatory power in case of arthritis, osteoarthritis and muscle inflammation and is also an excellent detoxifying; on the liver, in particular, it has a purifying action.

Turmeric is also a valuable support for anyone who is trying to lose weight as it it makes you assimilate less sugars and promotes intestinal regularity. It keeps the metabolism active, improving digestion and promoting the elimination of stagnation and toxins that “fix” fat to the body’s cells.

Finally, it’s a great one healing, useful for treating wounds, burns, insect bites, bactericidal e analgesic.

Is all that glitters really gold?
Some doubts about the indiscriminate use of turmeric arose when it became known a few months ago that the Ministry of Health had withdrawn some supplies of turmeric following over 20 cases of acute cholecastic hepatitis, attributable to the consumption of this spice.
Cholestasis is a disease that affects the liver and occurs by reducing or stopping the flow of bile and causing jaundice, generalized itching, pale stools and digestive difficulties.

Initially, it was thought that a batch of turmeric was badly stored or contaminated with a toxic substance, but investigations carried out by medical staff showed that the cause was not in the supplements in itself, as these contained no toxic substances.

According to research, the causes can be traced back to one individual sensitivity towards the components of turmeric, in the presence of alterations in hepato-biliary function ea possible interactions with other drugs.

This, on the other hand, confirms the studies according to which taking turmeric and curcumin can interact with the intake of certain medications and can worsen the condition in those people who already have liver problems.

The curcuma it should therefore be assumed, in these cases above all, under strict medical supervision. While it is true that it does not contain active ingredients such as drugs, it is also true that many plants – including turmeric – can interfere with some drugs or diseases already in place, so attention is never too much.

The expert’s opinion
Antonio Picardi, head of the clinical medicine and hepatology operating unit of the Rome Biomedical Campus, in relation to this news and the general use of turmeric, he stressed that: “If for use in cooking the intestinal absorption of a substance is indifferent, when we hypothesize a pharmacological use it is essential to ensure that the ingested substance is absorbed and can reach the organs on which it exerts its effects. And it is important that the amount that reaches the target organ is sufficiently high.

This explains why if I use a substance as a spice usually small quantities are sufficient, while for pharmacological use much higher quantities are usually indicated. For example, the recommended amount of turmeric for the flavor of foods is about 10 grams per day. On the contrary, curcumin-based supplements can come to contain 95 percent active substance. Furthermore, to ensure intestinal absorption and therefore efficacy, supplements often combine black pepper extracts which increase its absorption by at least twenty times compared to the intake of curcumin alone ».

And, with regard to cases of acute cholecastic hepatitis, it was specified by the Ministry of Health that there are no health hazards if the curcumin supplements are of quality – like those in the gallery above – and are used correctly by people without liver problems. In case of liver or biliary function alterations or gallstones, the use of the product is not recommended. If you are taking medication, or have any doubts about it, it is always advisable seek the advice of the doctor.

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