Turmeric supplements – things to know
Turmeric is one of the most commonly used spices used in Asian food. It is one of the main spices used in preparing curry. Turmeric has a warm bitter taste and is frequently used to add color and flavor to the curry, mustards, butters and even cheeses.
The root of the turmeric is specifically used for making medicines and supplements. It contains a yellow colored chemical called curcumin, which is used to color foods and cosmetics.
Turmeric contains the chemical curcumin. Curcumin with other chemicals help in decreasing inflammation and reduces the pain.
Inflammation causes and contributes to almost every major disease, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and even depression.
There are a couple of things that you should know before deciding to take turmeric supplements
There are a lot of studies that have indicated that although turmeric supplementation has been proven to reduce inflammation and has helped against reducing pain to safeguarding the pain against stroke and other degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
There are evidences that have linked turmeric towards helping reduce the symptoms of arthritis. But unfortunately, research has come from lab or animal experiments and not from the people.
Curcumin which is present in turmeric is all over the map in terms of dosage. Some experts suggest 200 mg per day of curcumin is more than enough. Others suggest up to 5000 mg taken via multiple doses that are spread through-out the day.
The body struggles to absorb curcumin when swallowed as chemical on its own. Taking turmeric or curcumin supplements with fat-rich foods, yogurt and even olive oil can help in absorbing curcumin in the body easily.
You can consume curcumin in the form of cut roots (of turmeric) . These contribute 1.5 to 3 grams a day
Dried and powdered turmeric provide 1 to 3 grams of curcumin per day.
A standardized powder of curcumin can be consumed at 400 – 600 milligrams for three times in a day.
A 1:1 proportion of 30 – 90 drops of curcumin a day is usually advisable.
Turmeric tincture is a natural turmeric supplement that contains raw turmeric root. Turmeric tincture in 1:2 proportion which is 15-30 drops to be consumed 4 times a day.