Is This “Wonder Spice” Too Good to Be True?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 12, 2017
Q: It seems like all I ever hear about these days is turmeric. Where was this stuff 10 years ago? Can it really do all of the things that people say it does?
— Albert H.
Dr. Scott: Americans have been slow to catch on to the spice turmeric. But it’s been widely used by traditional healers in India for ages.
But I hear what you are saying. Everywhere I look, I see articles about the miracles of turmeric (and its extract called curcumin).
Has it been over-hyped? A bit.
But this spice truly does come with some remarkable health benefits.
To date, there have been over 100 clinical trials on turmeric and curcumin. Here’s what turmeric does REALLY well:
Anti-inflammatory: Turmeric contains polyphenolic compounds that reduced chronic inflammation in several studies. How much turmeric drops inflammation depends a lot on the quality and concentration of the product used in the study.
Eating food containing turmeric will help, but using a concentrated, highly bioavailable curcumin extract will drop inflammation more. If inflammation is something you are looking to control, consider eating a low-inflammatory diet and taking a good turmeric or curcumin supplement.
Pain Reduction: If you are looking for something to erase all pain, you will need to visit your hospital or get a prescription (that may lead to addiction). But, if you have joint pain, back pain, arthritis… any chronic pain – turmeric works wonders. A recent study pitted curcumin against ibuprofen and curcumin worked better (with none of the harmful side effects).
Stops Chronic Diseases: Turmeric is full of antioxidants and other powerful plant nutrients. Research studies show that regular consumption of turmeric can help to reduce heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Great for Your Brain: The antioxidants and curcuminoids in turmeric can help reduce brain damage. Turmeric can help reduce the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease. It also improves working memory and it even helps with anxiety. You can keep your brain in shape by taking curcumin, Omega-3 fish oils, and the herb, Bacopa.
Your best way to get turmeric – and the curcumin it contains – is by supplementing.
I recommend 400-800 mg/day of a curcumin extract to see the most benefit.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...