Turmeric

Turmeric is a widely used tropical herb in the ginger family. Its stalk is used both in food and medicine, yielding the familiar yellow ingredient that colors and adds flavor to curry. In the traditional Indian system of herbal medicine known as Ayurveda, turmeric is believed to strengthen the overall energy of the body, relieve gas, dispel worms, improve digestion, regulate menstruation, dissolve gallstones, and relieve arthritis, among other uses. Modern interest in turmeric began in 1971 when Indian researchers found evidence suggesting that turmeric may possess anti-inflammatory properties. Much of this observed activity appeared to be due to the presence of a constituent called curcumin. Curcumin was later found to possess antioxidant properties. Many of the studies mentioned in this article used curcumin rather than turmeric.

Turmerics antioxidant abilities make it a good food preservative, provided that the food is already yellow in color, and it is widely used for this purpose. In Europe, turmeric is sometimes used to treat dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is a catchall term that includes a variety of digestive problems such as stomach discomfort, gas, bloating, belching, appetite loss, and nausea. Although many serious medical conditions can cause digestive distress, the term dyspepsia is most often used when no identifiable medical cause can be detected. In this way, dyspepsia is like a stomach version of the symptoms in the intestines and colon called irritable bowel syndrome. In Europe, dyspepsia is commonly attributed to inadequate bile flow from the gallbladder. However, there is little real proof that gallbladder dysfunction is truly the cause of dyspepsia; people who have had their gallbladders removed aren't particularly prone to digestive distress. Nevertheless, many herbal remedies that stimulate gallbladder function are used in Europe on that basis for dyspepsia, and some may be effective. (See the full Dyspepsia article for more options) Evidence suggests that turmeric is an herb that stimulates the gallbladder. More importantly, one double-blind, placebo-controlled study indicates that turmeric may indeed reduce dyspepsia symptoms. Other proposed uses of turmeric or curcumin have little supporting evidence. Based on test tube and animal studies, and human trials too preliminary to provide any meaningful evidence curcumin and turmeric are frequently described as anti-inflammatory drugs and recommended for the treatment of such conditions as arthritis and menstrual pain. Some advocates go so far as to state that curcumin is superior to standard medications in the ibuprofen family, because, at standard doses, it does not appear to harm the stomach. However, until turmeric is actually proven to meaningfully reduce pain and inflammation, such a comparison is rather premature. Not only that, high doses of curcumin might in fact increase the risk of ulcers. Contrary to some reports, turmeric does not appear to be effective for treating ulcers. Animal and test tube studies suggest (but definitely do not prove) that turmeric might help prevent cancer. Some researchers have reported evidence that curcumin or turmeric might help protect the liver from damage. However, other researchers have failed to find any liver protective effects, and there are even some indications turmeric extracts can damage the liver when taken in high doses or for an extended period. On the basis of even weaker evidence, curcumin or turmeric have also been recommended for preventing cataracts, and treating high cholesterol, multiple sclerosis, fungal infections, Alzheimers disease, and chronic anterior uveitis (an inflammation of the iris of the eye).

Dyspepsia A double-blind study performed in Thailand compared the effects of 500 mg curcumin 4 times daily against placebo, as well as against a locally popular over-the-counter treatment. A total of 116 people were enrolled in the study. After 7 days, 87% percent of the curcumin group experienced full or partial symptom relief from dyspepsia as compared to 53% of the placebo group, and this difference was statistically significant.

For medicinal purposes, turmeric is frequently taken in a form standardized to curcumin content, at a dose that provides 400 to 600 mg of curcumin 3 times daily.

Turmeric is on the FDAs GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list, and curcumin, too, is believed to be fairly nontoxic. Reported side effects are uncommon and are generally limited to mild stomach distress. However, there is some evidence to suggest that turmeric extracts can be toxic to the liver when taken in high doses or for a prolonged period of time. For this reason, turmeric products should probably be avoided by individuals with liver disease and those who take medications that are hard on the liver. In addition, due to curcumins stimulating effects on the gallbladder, individuals with gallbladder disease should use curcumin only on the advice of a physician. However, safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and those with severe kidney disease have also not been established.