Curcumin (Turmeric)
Turmeric powder as a spice is a common food used in Indian cooking. Used as a spice, turmeric is obtained from the underground stems of the plant, namely rhizomes.
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It has been used as a spice and medicinal herb for thousands of years in India. Recently, science has begun to support this knowledge that Indians have long been aware of; This plant contains compounds with medicinal properties.
Curcumin, the main bioactive ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties. Consumption with piperine can create effective results in order to increase its bioavailability. Therefore, when turmeric is used with black pepper, the body provides better absorption.
Curcumin is the name given to the yellow pigment of turmeric, most commonly found in curries, also found in abundance in flowering plants of the ginger family. The component curcumin, a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties, can ease pain, depression, and problems with inflammation. At the same time, this component is effective in increasing the body's production of three different antioxidants. These antioxidants; glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase.
Most of the studies on this herb generally examine the topic of turmeric extract benefits. Curcumin dosages generally used in the content of the extract are high in grams. It is very difficult to reach this dosage level using turmeric spice only in food.
Therefore, in order to experience all the effects of the herb quickly, it is necessary to take a supplement containing a significant amount of curcumin. This is because curcumin has a low absorption in the bloodstream. Curcumin is fat-soluble, so taking it with a fatty meal might be a better idea.
According to the National Institutes of Health, turmeric can slow blood clotting. It is dangerous to use with blood thinners. For use with these drugs, it should be used in consultation with the doctor. Due to its blood-thinning side effects, turmeric should be discontinued at least two weeks before any surgical procedure.