Curcumin Effects

Curcumin is a substance that is derived from the spice turmeric native to tropical South Asia. The plants are cultivated for their rhizomes (roots), which are then dried and ground into a fine powder. Curcumin has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and is one of the most studied substances in herbal medicine today.

Effects on Arthritis

• Board-certified rheumatologistNathan Wei has shown that curcumin is effective in treating arthritis because of its ability to inhibit COX-2. COX-2 is a protein that acts as an enzyme and produces prostaglandins (chemical messengers), some of which are responsible for the production of inflammation. Taking curcumin may result in a 95 percent reduction of prostaglandins and therefore dramatically reduce the effects of inflammation.

Effects on Cancer

• Because of curcumin's ability to inhibit COX-2, it has also has a potential in the treatment and prevention of cancer. This is because of the connections that have been found between cancer and inflammation. According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, preliminary research suggests that curcumin may be able to slow the production and spread of tumor cells and may even be able to kill theses cells. However, more research needs to be conducted in this area. Curcumin may also reduce the effects of chemotherapy.

Effects on Digestion

• Curcumin improves overall digestive health through its ability to reduce inflammation of the mucus membranes and also because it is an excellent antioxidant. This means it enables the liver to process and eliminate toxins more readily and prevents toxic substances from building up in cells and tissue. Taken with meals it can help prevent heartburn, feelings of bloatedness and flatulence.

Effects on Alzheimer's Disease

• Recent studies by Mishra et al. have shown that curcumin is useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects enable it to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals and to reduce the loss of proteins that sometimes occurs between brain cells in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This means it may have the ability to help prevent deterioration of memory associated with this disease.

Possible Side Effects of Curcumin

• The suggested dose of curcumin is 900mg twice daily along with meals. Though reported side effects are uncommon, they may include nausea, diarrhea and skin irritation. More serious side effects include delayed blood clotting, easy bruising, blood in the stool and numbness in arms or legs. If you experience any of these symptoms you should stop taking curcumin immediately and seek medical advice.