Curcuma Longa, also called "turmeric", belongs to the family of zingiberaceae. The powder obtained by grinding the roots of this plant, cultivated in India, China and other tropical countries such as Costa Rica, was widely used as an orange-yellow dye, notably to dye the costumes of Buddhist monks. This plant is also at the origin of the yellow industrial food coloring (E100 = curcumin) used in bakery or in drinks in order to yellow orange juice for example. The spice "Curcuma" is also extracted from the dried root of Curcuma Longa and gives the curry its typical yellow color and slightly bitter taste. Turmeric is used generously in oriental dishes.
Already ancient health treatises engraved on stone tablets dating back to about 3000 B.C., mention this plant for its many protective virtues. In India and China, it has been used for centuries for various ailments and health problems.
In general, turmeric can stimulate or calm certain organs, functions and secretions. It also has aphrodisiac properties.
Curcumin, the fundamental substance of turmeric
Scientific research has demonstrated the protective and antioxidant properties of certain components of turmeric, which, for example, help to fight against external microorganisms and aggressors.
Currently, we hear a lot about turmeric, curcumin, curcuminoids and their derivatives. This term is anyway related to this plant.
Standardized extract of Curcuminoids (often referred to as Curcumin) is extracted directly from Turmeric powder through a sophisticated process.
It is important to know that in the context of health care, the consumption of turmeric must reach a very high proportion of curcuminoids to obtain convincing and interesting effects, especially since curcumin is difficult to assimilate by the body. In fact, only 5 to 60% of curcumin is absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. Various processes can optimize this assimilation, such as combining curcumin with a fat (fish or vegetable oils, soy lecithin...), but also coupling it with Piperine, an extract of black pepper (peper nigrum) that multiplies the absorption of curcumin by 20.
For several years, some very serious scientific journals have been full of praise for this substance, calling it, among other things, the perfect anti-aging substance.
- Curcumin masks and alleviates certain organ discomforts as effectively as some chemical drugs but without the side effects, since curcumin respects the stomach lining while restoring flexibility and mobility to joints, ligaments, and tendons knotted up by inactivity or internal rigidity.
- Curcumin is a powerful anti-oxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals and thus limiting the damage they might cause to DNA and tissues.
- Recent studies show that curcumin may prevent the development of certain anarchic or unhealthy cells.In addition, curcumin inhibits the harmful effect of certain toxic substances (including those found in tobacco).
- Curcumin reduces the risk as well as the progression of cognitive, intellectual and memory impairment.
- Curcumin's antioxidant properties allocate it the ability to prevent lipid oxidation and, thus, cholesterol formation. By acting and stimulating several physiological functions, turmeric significantly reduces cholesterol levels and has a beneficial fluidifying action.
- Curcumin protects the membranes of the eye preventively, but also when the condition has already set in.
- Curcumin naturally fights the growth of harmful microorganisms and fungi. It also inhibits the production of aflatoxins, which are produced by fungi that thrive in poorly preserved food.
Ideally you need a combination of 400 mg of curcuminoids and 10 mg of black pepper extract.
The active ingredients of curcumin, Curcuminoids associated with Piperine (black pepper) greatly increase its assimilation. In order to achieve real and perceptible activity and effectiveness, it is essential to reach a quantity of about 1200 mg of this combination of substances.
Precautions for use :.
- Avoid combining curcumin with anticoagulants. If taking anticoagulants, do not exceed 400 mg of curcumin every other day.
- Do not consume curcumin if you have ulcers or gallstones.