Came across an ad today which explains that Curcumin, found in the herb Turmeric, has proven beneficial effects upon the human body, but that it is poorly absorbed by the system. Researched it, and found that to be generally accepted as fact. The determination of the "physiological path" of it's metabolization by the body was an extensive and difficult process. A few of the notable things I found: "Curcumin (/ˈkərkjuːmən/) is a bright yellow chemical produced by some plants. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). It is sold as an herbal supplement, added to cosmetics, used to flavor food, and as a food coloring.[1] As a food additive, its E number is E100." From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcumin#Pharmacodynamics Curcumin powder. So, Turmeric yielded better facts regarding health. "Turmeric (Curcuma longa) /ˈtɜːrmərɪk/ or /ˈtjuːmərɪk/ or /ˈtuːmərɪk/[2] is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.[3] It is native to southwest India, requiring temperatures between 20 and 30 °C (68 and 86 °F) and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive.[4] Plants are gathered annually for their rhizomes and propagated from some of those rhizomes in the following season. When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for about 30–45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep-orange-yellow powder[5] commonly used as a spice in Bangladeshi cuisine, Indian cuisine, Pakistani cuisine and curries, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments. One active ingredient is curcumin, which has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell. One active ingredient is curcumin, which has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell." "Basic research shows extracts from turmeric may have antifungal and antibacterial properties.[15] Turmeric is under study for its potential to affect human diseases, including kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, irritable bowel disease,[16] Alzheimer's disease,[17] diabetes,[18][19] and other clinical disorders." From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric#Research Here is the ad I spoke of. Thinking of getting some. Caution is needed, as pointed out in the research, Turmeric or Curcumin is expensive stuff, and consequently other additives less costly are mixed in, notably some not approved for human consumption. It stated the color is the best indicator of purity. Frank
I have seen many advertisements for this herb. I think it has become popular as it is used in countries where there is a low incidents of certain diseases. However, there are no studies that I have seen that show that this herb is the reason for the low incidents. It will not hurt anyone who takes it, but I believe we need studies to show it is the reason for low cancer rates and kidney problems. Right now, it is an educated guess.
@Texas Beth I still stick to my guns about belief that, in general, proper nutritional needs met by eating the appropriate foods in appropriate amounts, is the best way to succeed in fulfilling the body's needs for antioxidants, radical-reducers, and the like. Still, I just don't know. Lots of folks get, and succumb to, a variety of cancers one might think their bodys' defenses would have blocked. Frank
There are NOT a lot of studies done on natural foods and plants, simply because they cannot be patented and sold for a high profit. If the plant can be processed and turned into a patentable form (such as a pill,drink or tablet), then it can be patented and sold, and a company might then do some testing to show results. However, most of the natural plants that have healing capabilities may also lose those capabilities when they are processed; so no studies are ever done to show how effective a plant can be. You would think that doctors and science would care about finding out what plants actually have healing possibilities; but unless there is money to be made from selling said plant, no tests are done. So, even though turmeric may have helped thousands of people, we are not likely to be seeing scientific proof of that. We bought our turmeric from Amazon, and it was a much brighter color, and better flavor than the little spice containers you find in the store. (And cheaper) I add it to soups and such, but mostly just in the winter because we don't eat much soup when it is hot outside. Many people have reported good benefits from using turmeric, so even though it is not scientifically proven to have healing properties, I definitely think that it is worth adding to one's diet. Also, just because something is marked with a costly price does not mean that it is necessarily better for you (or more effective) than just buying it from a store. A great example that I noticed is niacin. I take niacin because it opens up the capillaries and helps to clean the toxins out of my blood vessels and helps my heart work better. When it does this, it starts a histamine reaction, and can make you itch if you have a lot of toxins being cleaned out; and it is best to always take niacin after eating a meal so the effect is less noticeable. I was taking up to 500 mg per day, after starting at about 50 mg and working my way up, bit by bit. In any case, one of the side effects (completely unexpected) was a tremendous increase in ----how to say this---- oh, well, just say it, I guess------ in the enjoyment of having sex. So, I naturally looked niacin up to see what it said about that being a side effect, and discovered an ad that offered tablets that were maybe 20 mg, and costing around $50 ! The whole bottle of the 500 mg was probably not over $5; so they were selling it as a sex enhancer and WAY overcharging on the price. That tiny amount that they were selling for that price would not have helped even if someone took the whole bottle at one time ! So, more expensive, and hyper advertising does NOT always make for a better product, @Frank Sanoica .
@Yvonne Smith Niacin can cause "flushing" about the face. I do not take it, but thank you anyway for a "pseudo-Niacin" flush, after reading your post! Frank
That flushing is exactly WHY I take niacin, @Frank Sanoica . The reason that niacin causes the flushing is because it is taking toxins out of the small capillaries, where they have been trapped. When it puts the toxins back in the bloodsteam to flush them out of the body, this creates a histimine/itching reaction, and the flushing itself is because the blood is now rushing back into the tiny capillaries near the skin, and turns your skin red . You might actually feel it anywhere/everywhere on your body from head to feet, depending on where it is working at. That being said, there is a proper way to take your niacin if you are going to take it. Be sure to only get plain niacin, not the one that says "time-release". It should say on the bottle "may cause flushing", and if it does NOT say that, then it is no good for helping your circulation at all. Start with a small dose. Try 50 mg to start. The goal is to get a little bit of flushing, but not so much that it drives you crazy for a half hour ! Once you can take the 50 mg, then take it twice a day. Then move up to 100mg once a day, then 100mg twice a day, and so on, slowly increasing up to 500 mg. It is always best not to take niacin on an empty stomach, so take it after you have had something to eat. I take niacin because I have heart failure, and it helps my heart to work better and also my circulation; but niacin also helps a plethora of other problems which we seniors are sometimes prone to, such as arthritis, high blood pressure, tinnitus, and especially circulation problems. http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/niacin-benefits/
@Yvonne Smith As I always have read, there are two forms of "Niacin", both often offered for sale as Niacin. They are Niacinamide and Nicotinic Acid. Only the Nicotinic Acid was said to have beneficial effect on the body. Frank https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotinic_acids
I've been taking Magnesium, Zinc, Gingko for about 2 weeks. I have the start date marked somewhere, but I have heard that people have had success with these supplements/herbs(is Gingko an herb??). Anyway, decided to keep this on Yvonne's thread as it applies to Tinnitus. Mine had become worse, and has morphed into a steady 24/7 ring. I am mostly dealing with it psychologically. I mean, I keep busy, or I guess you could say, I'm learning to ignore it, or get used to it. However, I still have times when it's a longing for "no more ringing". Doctors, conventional, have written me off as "get used to it" and they may be right. Or some "what I would call" experimental/guinea pig surgeries, that I don't see much about, or whether it's helped. So, with that all said, I've heard it took one person 3 months I think it was, and theirs disappeared. Mine is not from "noise" damage, but I think mine is caused by a couple of different things (just some ideas). Things around us in this high-tech world like Wifi, even radio waves etc. Who knows, no one has a pat answer. I have a pacemaker, and wonder if it is causing it. But the ringing didn't start until 2012 ish, and I got my pacemaker in 1997. Now the new one I got in 2015 is the "best" yet, so "they" say. Again, who knows, or better, who's talking. Bottom line? Do what I can to live with it, and try some things I do not think will hurt me. I will let folks know how this all goes as I plan on continuing to replace magnesium in my body, as well as zinc. The zinc I am not sure I am short on, but I am taking a small amount anyway. One thing I am taking, mostly because it cost so darn much, is Inositol. If anyone knows more about it, please let me know. Here's what it is about, and why I initially bought some which had to do with stress, my heart, cholesterol etc. My cholesterol is almost back to a normal level, and stress is less. Anyway, Inositol is good for a lot of things (so they say) so I am trying it. http://www.goodlifeguide.net/health-tips/the-101-benefits-of-inositol/
This is basically the way I feel, too, @Frank Sanoica . I think a lot of times people hear things about some miracle drug or herb... or spice, and think it's the miracle they were waiting for. My thought is that while it's very possible it may be beneficial, it's often in much larger doses than we'd ever take. Case in point... I was suckered into this very thing a few weeks ago... heard something about cayenne that sounded good, and finally gave in and bought some. Bought the supplement pills *and* the powder form. Made me as well as another family member feel *horrible* with the indigestion and I never EVER have a problem with that. Might as well have flushed that money down the pipes. I won't be falling for those claims again anytime soon. All this to say that yes, I believe that we can get what we need by eating the right foods, too. I have turmeric on the shelf, but not because of some naturalist person telling me it's a miracle cure for something. Those same people will argue to the death that it helped them when any number of things could have helped them. Oh well, not my fight. I'll just keep being a good girl and eating my fruits and veggies. *****Edited to clarify that I am *not* talking about vitamins and minerals. I take supplements for some of those... this was about the "miracle cures" that involve spices and herbs.
I think nutrition is the most important thing for me. Although I did read recently, that something like 75% of Americans are deficient in Magnesium. I also read that it is very hard to get enough in our diets. I never did look up some of the foods that have it in them, or how much I could get by eating those foods.
I know it's not a lot, but I am eating 1-2 tsps of turmeric a day now. I mainly started on it as an anti-inflammatory. I also do a lot of exercise, so not sure which is helping more, probably a combo
@Mari North "a lot of times people hear things about some miracle drug or herb... or spice, and think it's the miracle they were waiting for. " I am afraid miracles happen only outside of the Medical Community........Frank
Yes, I have heard a lot of good things about Turmeric. Some people say it has to be combined with peppercorns though for maximum effect. I made an Indian stew, like a curry with Turmeric a couple of months ago,,Roomie came out and asked me what was reeking? Anytime he thinks he smells something unusual he things he has to come popping out of his room. He is just the soul of sensitivity...reason we get along so well..
I make my own capsules of turmeric I take because it has a high ORAC score which helps clean out free radicals.