One of the primary health benefits of curcumin is its anti-inflammatory properties to aid in managing inflammatory diseases. Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many health conditions such as arthritis and joint pain.
Curcumin is derived from turmeric, a spice that has been used for thousands of years with powerful health benefits from the curcumin polyphenol found in turmeric.
The health benefits of turmeric primarily come from the polyphenol curcumin. Curcumin is the extract out of turmeric root, which contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric of curcumin for inflammation – Which one is better for inflammation?
Curcumin and turmeric are not the same, so what is the difference between turmeric and curcumin?
Only 3-5 % of the turmeric root is curcumin. It is curcumin that contains anti-inflammatory properties, which is why curcumin powder is way more effective at reducing inflammation than just turmeric root or turmeric powder.
Dosage of curcumin for inflammation?
A general recommended dose for using curcumin is 1000 mg or 1 g. However, obtaining 1000mg of curcumin would be nearly impossible to achieve through turmeric powder or root. Therefore, to experience the health benefits of curcumin, a pure extract of curcumin is best.
The FDA has approved curcumin as generally recognized as safe with good tolerability and safety, even at higher doses between 4000 and 8000 mg/day.
How to take curcumin for inflammation
Curcumin is a fat-soluble nutrient. To improve absorption and bioavailability of curcumin, mix curcumin powder or turmeric powder with healthy fats such as:
- with coconut milk
- in curries with coconut cream
- in homemade salad dressings
- chocolates or mixed with coconut oil when cooking stir-fries
Mixing curcumin with piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000%. Therefore using curcumin powder in a curry or salad dressing with black pepper is a great way to use food as medicine and enhance the bioavailability of curcumin.
Health benefits of curcumin for inflammation and inflammatory diseases
The balancing act of managing inflammation is crucial for maintaining a healthy body. Inflammation is not all but bad. Inflammation plays a role in the healing response and immune system response.
But chronic inflammation that is never calmed down or turned off is detrimental to the body and is at the root of many chronic inflammatory conditions.
Inflammation is associated with the development of many chronic conditions, such as:
- Arthritis
- Alzheimer’s
- metabolic syndrome
- Parkinsons
- multiple sclerosis
- cardiovascular disease cancer
- allergies
- colitis
- psoriasis
- obesity
- depression
- fatigue
- autoimmune conditions
Now that is a long list of conditions, and the implications of chronic inflammation are far-reaching throughout the body. Curcumin can help to reduce inflammation due to curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
A healthy inflammatory response is beneficial for the body as inflammation is a healing response by the body.
- Inflammation helps the body fight pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
- Inflammation also improves blood flow to repair an injury such as a cut or sprained ankle.
But inflammation becomes very problematic when chronic inflammation is always present in the body. Chronic inflammation wreaks havoc and damages body tissues.
Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has matched the effectiveness of some NSAIDs without side effects. Although, take note that the amount of curcumin used in this study was in higher dosages than just 1000 mg or the general recommended dosage.
How does curcumin reduce inflammation?
Curcumin also acts as an antioxidant that helps to protect the body from free radicals and oxidative stress. Too much oxidative stress leads to increased inflammatory conditions. Curcumin helps to counter the effects of inflammation due to its antioxidant protection.
Curcumin works on so many levels due to its antioxidant properties and the ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species that cause tissue damage.
Curcumin helps to boost your body’s internal antioxidant enzymes: glutathione and superoxide dismutase.
Glutathione and superoxide dismutase are crucial enzymes that reduce free radicals in the body.
Excess oxidative stress inhibits many essential functions in the body, such as detoxification and the MTRR gene. The MTRR gene is involved in the recycling of homocysteine and the production of SAMe.
SAMe is a significant methyl donor that supports over 200 other functions in the body. For example, SAMe is a co-factor for the PEMT gene to prevent SIBO and a sluggish gallbladder.
Due to the combination of curcumins antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, taking curcumin for inflammation can help to improve inflammatory conditions such as:
- arthritis
- colitis
- joint pain osteoarthritis
- metabolic syndrome
Best curcumin for inflammation
Liposomal curcumin is the best form of curcumin to reduce inflammation and inflammatory health conditions. Seeking Health’s Liposomal Curcumin provides optimal absorption, bioavailability, and delivery inside the cells.
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