CURCUMA :THE ANTIINFLAMMATORY MOST POWERFUL NATURAL KNOWN /L'ANTI-INFLAMMATOIRE NATUREL LE PLUS PUISSANT CONNU

Scientific Name	Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma longa
Familly	Zingiberaceae (Zingiberacéa)
Actives principles	> Huile essentielle/essential oil > Curcumine/ curcumin
Part used	rhizome séché/ dried  rhizome
English Name	Curcuma, Turmeric
Spanish Name	cúrcuma
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VERSION FRANCAISE 

We speak of the rhizome (underground stem) of a pretty hardy plant, close cousin of ginger, cultivated in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The Anglo-Saxons called the "Turmeric". This rhizome, orange, cooked, peeled and then dried before being ground into fine powder. It is a constituent of various mixtures of spices like curry, masala, colombo and ras-el-hanout.

It colors mustard, butter, jams, liqueurs, cheeses, soups, luncheon meats, pasta pancakes, waffles and some sauces. You will identify the name on the labels as E100. (as a food additive in Europe)

In India it is referred to as "Indian saffron" and we consume 1.5 to 2 grams per day in rice dishes, potatoes, lentils, vegetables. It is a constituent of all their curries and chutneys. You should know, that same age, the Indians have 8 times less lung cancer than Westerners, 9 times less colon cancer, five times less breast cancer and 10 times fewer cancers of the kidney and this despite exposure to multiple carcinogens in the environment, on a scale probably worse than in the West

It contains vitamins B6 and C and minerals like iron, manganese, potassium, and flavonoids. (10)

Turmeric is currently the subject of much research worldwide. These studies suggest that its anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of cortisone and aspirin. It contains many active compounds with antioxidant properties, foremost among which is a yellow pigment: curcumin. That curcumin protects our body against inflammation and multiple damage caused by oxidative stress. (3) (12) (13)

source of turmeric

powder as a spice: the use of BIO quality is indispensanle (the common spices contain stabilizers)

UPDATE

Food and Chemical Toxicology

Curcumin ameloriates heat stress via inhibition of oxidative stress and modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in quail

Original Research Article

Pages 4035-4041
K. Sahin, C. Orhan, Z. Tuzcu, M. Tuzcu, N. Sahin

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol in the spice turmeric, exhibits antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study was conducted to elucidate the action mode of curcumin alleviation of oxidative stress in heat-stressed quail. A total of 180 birds (10 d old) were assigned randomly to be reared at either 22 °C (Thermoneutral) or 34 °C (Heat stress) for 8 h/d (0900-1700) until the age of 42 d. Birds in both environments were randomly fed 1 of 3 diets: basal diet and basal diet added with 0, 200 or 400 mg of curcumin per kg of diet. Each of the 2 × 3 factorially arranged experimental groups was replicated in 10 cages, each containing three birds. In response to increasing supplemental curcumin level, there were linear increases in cumulative feed intake, final body weight, and weight gain, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor two level and heme oxygenase one level; linear decreases in feed efficiency, serum, muscle and liver malondialdehyde level, respectively and inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor-κB and heat shock proteins 70 level (P < 0.0001 for all). The results indicated that curcumin alleviates oxidative stress through modulating the hepatic nuclear transcription factors and heat shock proteins 70 in heat-stressed quails.

 as a food supplement : Protandim

Inflammation is a natural reaction of our body defense against a threat or aggression. The problem starts when the inflammation becomes chronic because it produces free radicals in large amounts. They will attack our own cells and cause an "oxidative stress". You should know that this oxidative stress is implicated in most diseases of aging. (3) (12) (13)

Its scope can reveal its usefulness in two directions: treatment and prevention.

As a preventive

  in your diet, that curcumin must be combined with piperine (black pepper) at 1% vegetable oil and a quality to pass the intestinal barrier. Pepper multiplied by 2000 the absorption of curcumin by the body. Others such as bromelain from pineapple or ginger promote assimilation. Indian wisdom has significantly outperformed the science in the discovery of natural synergies between the Indian food since traditionally mix these ingredients in their dishes.

The recommended dose for prevention is 300 to 600 mg of curcumin per day, 1 to 2 tablespoons ground turmeric

Cures regular of turmeric in the diet for his part in preventive or dietary supplement as adjuvant therapies for real diseases, framed by a healthy lifestyle, both physical activity as a balanced diet, can attitudes that be wise, to conserve our most precious asset: your health.

Use of adjuvant therapies (1)

- The pain and inflammatory reactions: muscle pain, tendonitis, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis ... Turmeric is even more effective than hydrocortisone. When turmeric is associated with essential fatty acids (good oils) anti-inflammatory potentiate their actions. (3)

   - Some eye problems: cataracts chemically induced, infections, inflammations and degenerative eye. Turmeric comes in drops for some of these uses. Talk to your therapist (France and Switzerland) (5) (6)

- Digestive disorders and "upset stomach": abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite, feelings of overload, digestive inflammation, bladder dysfunction in which it increases the synthesis of bile and its flow (choleretic and cholagogue ). In this way it prevents the formation of stones. It also protects the liver against many toxins such as: drugs, pollutants, aflatoxins (present in poorly stored peanuts), alcohol .... It also acts on the "irritable bowel syndrome" also promoting good bowel rehabilitation and mitigation of pain.(3)

- Peptic ulcers: studies show that turmeric has protective effects on the gastric mucosa and can destroy or inhibit the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, which is responsible for most gastric and duodenal ulcers.

- Cardiovascular problems: turmeric may lower bad cholesterol and increases the fluidity of blood by slowing platelet aggregation. It protects the cardiovascular system thereby reducing the risk of phlebitis and especially for atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). He might even be protective against heart failure. (2) (3)

- Degenerative diseases of the brain: Curcumin is the most potent inducer of certain proteins that are involved in the defense of neurons, it prevents the loss of cognitive function and therefore presents an innovative therapeutic approach against Alzheimer's disease.

- The wounds and skin diseases: mycosis, skin irritations, wounds, ulcers ... In this case, it should be applied to the skin as infused oil, of plaster, stains ... Turmeric may also prove useful in the treatment of skin cancer and burns caused by radiation and radiotherapy.

- Lower immunity: It would increase the number of white blood cells, antibodies and platelets in the blood.(13) Research are being conducted on the HIV virus (AIDS).

- The bacterial and parasitic infections: you can sprinkle some turmeric on small wounds or scratches after being cleaned. It also combats intestinal parasites and is traditionally used against dysentery.

- Carcinogenesis: Oxidative stress is clearly involved in all stages of the disease. (7) Research in this area is very active as researchers believe that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin could be an important asset in the prevention and treatment of cancer. (8) (9) (10) (14) (15)

(17)  lal B et al. Efficacy of curcumine in the management of chronic anterior uveitis. Phytother res 1999 Jun; 13 (4): 318-22.