Compiled by STL Sports Page Staff
There is a lot of buzz going around about turmeric. GQ magazine recently did an article called, “Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with tumeric?” EatingWell.com asks “Why is turmeric so good for you?” We thought it was worth mentioning here since it is such a hot topic in the area of health.
Turmeric is a plant which can be taken in supplement form, powder form (it is used in cooking curry dishes), and some eat it directly from the plant. It is the topic of many who are trying to improve their health– whether it be through exercise, diet or supplements.
Many people think healthy eating is hard to do but in reality it is just as easy as not eating health– you just have to plan a little in advance. When you get the the things that work best for you, your body starts working at its best and you begin to feel better.
We’ve been taking turmeric for a while and have seen some favorable results. We shake it on our eggs in the morning, along with pepper. We eat turmeric on eggs along with our other supplements and morning coffee, but don’t listen to us, read on for what others say.
“Researchers are always turning up new information about which foods are best for us, so nutritional guidelines keep changing and evolving,” say the doctors at ArchWell Health. “A customized nutrition plan is one of the tools the ArchWell Health care team can provide to help you improve all aspects of your health.”
If you’re considering significant changes to your diet, such as starting a new weight loss plan or taking supplements, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor first to make sure the change is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
Though it is being talked about a lot recently, tumeric is not new; it has been used for ages. Healthline.com also says, “Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb.”
So what exactly is it? In powder form it is available in the spice section of your favorite grocery store. It is a bright yellow/orange and has a taste but it is generally mild. Some people sprinkle it in their cooking to get the possible healthy benefits. It is said to digest better in the body when taken with pepper, so if you shake some on your food, the thought is to shake some pepper with it.
WebMD.com sees the benefit of turmeric: “Turmeric is a common spice that comes from the root of Curcuma longa. It contains a chemical called curcumin, which might reduce swelling.”
By the way, switching out two hard boiled eggs for your normal breakfast or lunch can be benefial to some when trying to stay on a healthy eating plan.
Johns Hopkins Hospital talks about turmeric on their website: “‘Mary-Eve Brown, an oncology clinical dietitian/nutritionist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, provides information on health benefits of turmeric: What is turmeric good for? Brown explains that the active ingredient in turmeric is a natural compound (polyphenol) called curcumin, which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“‘Curcumin has many biological activities, not all of which are understood,” Brown says. “Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage.’”
Anne Dixon, who has her masters in Kinesiology finds it beneficial. She teaches fitness and yoga classes and thinks it helps her.
“As a Kinesiologist and active senior fitness instructor my daily use of tumeric keeps the knee pain away,” says Dixon. “I just shake it on my eggs, on meat dishes, veggies, sandwiches etc.
“I’m not a pill or capsule person. I have used tumeric and ginger tea which is yummy, too.”
The photo, left shows chicken cooking with turmeric.
According to Healthine.com: “Turmeric — and especially its most active compound, curcumin — has many scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to improve heart health and prevent Alzheimer’s and cancer. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.”
“Many high-quality studies show that turmeric has major benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin,” says Healthline.com
Turmeric could possibly help with:
- Inflammation
- Osteoarthritis
- Hayfever
- Indigestion
- Depression
- Itching.
- Muscle soreness after exercising
The Arthritis Foundation lists it as one of “the most popular supplements and herbs used for arthritis” but cautions that “While some of these supplements may help treat arthritis symptoms, nothing can substitute doctor-prescribed medications, a healthy diet and exercise”
Should you try turmeric? Which form should you take it in? That’s for you to decide.
“Some medical conditions require special dietary adjustments,” says ArchWell Health’s website. “A few examples are Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. If you’ve been diagnosed with such a condition or are experiencing digestive issues, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor. They can offer guidance on how to make healthy changes to your diet.”
The bottom line is we get to choose what we put in our bodies or what we don’t — so it is an individual choice as to whether to include supplements such as turmeric. Adapting new habits for a healthy lifestyle can be a good thing, just do your research and check with your doctor.
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Disclaimer: This article was assembled through medical website sources (WebMD.com, Healthline.com, MedicalNewsToday.com, Arthritis.org, Johns Hopkins, and personal knowledge from experts. It is in no way an endorsement from STLSportsPage.com. It is just here to present information that is otherwise available on the internet. You should always talk to your doctor before trying anything new.
If you don’t have a doctor and you are of a certain age, check out ArchWell Health.