Curcumin….it’s clear it’s pretty incredible. From skin and respiratory problems to neurological disorders and cancer, it’s seems to help with nearly everything.
But curcumin (identified only 100 years ago) is only one of the many compounds found in turmeric.
There’s hundreds!
So far, studies have identified 20 that are antibiotic, 14 that are known cancer preventatives, 12 anti-tumor, 12 anti-inflammatory, and at least 10 anti-oxidants. (1)
We’ve only scratched the surface!
Just recently, a study published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy gave additional support for the concept that curcumin alone is not enough to explain the healing power of turmeric as a whole plant.
The study found that a little known, fat-soluble component within turmeric – ar-tumerone – could help regeneration in the brain by increasing the number of neural stem cells, which are capable of continuous self-renewal required for brain repair. (2)
Curcumin alone already helps with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by reducing beta-amyloid plaque and calming inflammation, but it looks like there’s a lot more than meets the eye with turmeric.
Turmeric as a WHOLE plant has been used safely in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, both internally and externally, for around 6000 years. (3)
Quite the track record.
Traditionally, it’s been used to treat a number of problems like liver disease, skin problems, respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, and muscle and joint pain. (4)
The spice itself has been shown to be 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E as an immune system booster; provides an excellent amount of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C; and provides 26% of your DRV of manganese and 16% iron. (5, 6)
It’s no wonder turmeric was considered a “holy powder” in India or that ancient Polynesians reportedly took turmeric with them when crossing the Pacific. (5)
Now, we know curcumin is poorly absorbed in the body. That’s why I suggest using a highly bio-available form like the one found in PuraTHRIVE.
But turmeric along with many of its compounds, in general, is found to be difficult to absorb.
Yet the ancients knew best (they always do) when it came to making the most out of turmeric. A lot if its components, like curcumin and ar-tumerone, become bioavailable when consumed with fat.
Boiling also greatly enhances absorption, as does the piperine in black pepper (by up to 2,000%). (1)
Curry anyone?
My stomach’s already rumbling… 🙂
Curry actually gets its yellow color from turmeric.
It’s cooked with oils (fat), a variety of spices (including black pepper), and is often made with coconut milk – which not only offers a fat component but offers a number of its own benefits like medium-chain-triglycerides, which have also been shown to improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s and support brain and heart health. Double win!
Now get this, the elderly in India — curry capital — actually have some of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s in the world! (1)
They’ve been using the whole spice for thousands of years with great success, yet curcumin on its own has only been around for a very short amount of time.
Which is NOT to say curcumin isn’t effective because the science clearly shows it is.
BUT, it’s not just the curcumin – there’s so much more going on!
We need to tap into the full extent of turmeric’s potential.
Which is why a product like PuraTHRIVE, that provides a full spectrum extract of the entire plant, is so superior.
It’s about the synergy of compounds in the plant that make it so potent. You extract curcumin – which DOES have incredible healing effects on its own – but you potentially miss out on a number of other benefits.
Studies show that “a crude extract of turmeric is more effective than the purified compound curcumin in curing human ailments” because it offers the full spectrum of curcuminoids.
Another study emphasizes the role of synergistic effects of all the constituents in turmeric extract on the antioxidant activity of curcumin. (5)
Other compounds in turmeric enhance curcumin’s effect – even though it comprises only 3% of turmeric by weight.
Dr. Andrew Weil believes whole turmeric is better than the isolated compound curcumin, though he has also stated that curcumin appears to have a more rapid and dramatic effect and may be the better choice as a therapeutic, rather than preventative, preparation. (6, 1)
Sayer Ji also argues that curcumin isolates are only capable of conferring “a part of turmeric’s therapeutic power,” though admits curcumin CAN have a place in treatment.
Here’s a great example:
If you have colonic inflammation and are trying to use turmeric to reduce inflammation or regress precancerous growths, “then using the whole plant is best versus a highly bioavailable form of curcumin which will likely be absorbed by the small intestine and mostly pass through the liver never getting adequate quantities to the large intestine.
In this case taking a teaspoon of relatively difficult to absorb turmeric may result in painting the diseased surfaces of that person’s intestinal or colonic lumen with exactly the form needed to reverse disease.”
But if you want to experience a systemic effect, say, for arthritis or brain cancer, then “getting turmeric compounds such as curcumin through the glucuronidation barrier in the liver could be ideal.” (2)
The entire plant IS better for a number of reasons, BUT, science has ALSO shown how amazing curcumin alone could be, and sometimes high doses of the compound can give fast, therapeutic effects.
So why not get the best of both worlds?
PuraTHRIVE not only offers a highly bioavailable product using liposomal technology, but contains BOTH the full spectrum extract of turmeric PLUS added curcumin. You just can’t go wrong here!
===> Your Full Spectrum Turmeric WITH Curcumin!
To your health, and to turmeric’s ever-growing list of benefits!
Sources:
1. http://www.wakingtimes.com/2015/01/10/health-benefits-side-effects-turmeric-vs-curcumin/
2. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/how-whole-turmeric-heals-damaged-brain-1
3. http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/600-reasons-turmeric-may-be-worlds-most-important-herb
4. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/05/04/curcumin-turmeric-benefits.aspx
5. http://www.thealternativedaily.com/turmeric-spice/
6. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/06/20/turmeric-spice-of-life.aspx
Speak Your Mind