Why All Diabetics Should Know About Turmeric

Many diabetics already know about the benefits of a low-glycemic diet, but why haven’t they heard about turmeric, one of the world’s most extensively researched anti-diabetic plants?

A literature review published in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism titled, “Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect and Insulin Sensitizing Effects of Turmeric and Its Principle Constituent Curcumin,” adds promising new support to the notion that the ancient Indian spice turmeric may provide an ideal drug alternative to treating and perhaps even preventing type 2 diabetes, which has become of the world’s most prevalent diagnoses.

The study reviewed research published between 1998 to 2013 that indicates the active polyphenol in turmeric known as curcumin may provide an ideal intervention for type 2 diabetes, capable of mitigating characteristic pathophysiological hallmarks of the disease such as elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and insulin resistance.

Nineteen of the studies reviewed were cell (in vitro) and animal (in vivo), all which showed beneficial effects.  Five of the studies were human clinical trials using turmeric or curcumin, three of which were performed in those with either diabetes or prediabetes.

Amazingly, the animal and cell research literature review concluded that curcumin could improve the type 2 diabetic state through 10 distinctly different mechanisms, such as:

• Reduction in liver glucose production


• Reduction in liver glycogen production


• Stimulation of increased glucose uptake (by increasing GLUT4, GLUT2 and GLUT3 gene expressions)


• Increasing the activation of AMP kinase


• Promoting PPAR γ ligand- binding activity


• Suppressing hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory state


• Stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic tissues


• Improvement in pancreatic cell function,


• Increasing phosphorylation of AKT


• Increasing insulin receptor β and reduction of insulin resistance

The human clinical research conducted on diabetic and pre-diabetic patients revealed that curcumin had the following beneficial effects:

• Glucose lowering effect


• Improved beta cell function


• Improved fatty acid oxidation and utilization

One of these studies is especially worth highlighting, as it found a turmeric extract was highly effective in preventing the development of diabetes within pre-diabetic subjects. The study published in 2012, in the American Diabetic Association’s own journal, Diabetes Care, and titled, “Curcumin extract for the prevention of type 2 diabetes,” found that the administration of six capsules containing 250 mg of curcumin daily for 9 months was 100% effective at preventing the development of type 2 diabetes in prediabetics; more specifically: “16.4% of the subjects in the placebo group were diagnosed with T2DM, whereas none were diagnosed with T2DM.”

Observed effects like these are extremely promising when viewed within the context of the highly dismal pharmaceutically-based standard of care. For instance, oral anti-diabetic drugs like metformin are notorious for their serious side effects. They often lower blood sugar, generating the surface appearance of physiological normality, e.g. blood sugar within range, but actually increase morbidity and mortality. With the possibility of deadly side effects, we need natural, safe, affordable and easily accessible alternatives like turmeric now more than ever.

Moreover, despite the well known problem of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, recombinant or genetically modified insulin is often used in these patients – a highly illogical and irresponsible approach, and which is endemic to a medical paradigm that does not seek to identity for resolve root causes of disease. A small, but highly concerning recent clinical study found that insulin accelerated the progression of type 2 diabetes, as well as caused type 1 diabetes, or “double diabetes.”

Diabetes is, of course, driven by a dietary pattern that reflects evolutionary mismatch, i.e. the Western diet is a lethal disease vector that has no resemblance to the traditional diet humans consumed for thousands of years, and upon which it still depends for good health. Turmeric, therefore, while an amazing alternative to diabetic drugs, should not be considered a “natural cure”; rather, it is something of a palliative counter-balance to a biologically inappropriate diet, which while far better than pharmaceuticals (learn more by reading: Science Confirms Turmeric As Effective As 14 Drugs), still needs to be part of a broader, more holistic plan that takes into account diet, exercise, toxicant exposure, and mind-body/emotional factors that underpin well-being and contribute significantly to most dis-eases.

For more information on the therapeutic value of turmeric/curcumin diabetes, read our previous articles on the topic:

• Turmeric Extract May Prevent, Even Reverse Diabetes (Type 1 and 2)


• Turmeric May Repair and Regenerate Diabetic Liver Function


• Turmeric’s Heart-Saving Properties Confirmed In New Diabetes Study


• Is The Cure for Diabetes A Humble Root?


• Reverse Insulin Resistance With These 8 Foods

Learn even more by viewing the firsthand research on the anti-type 2 diabetic effects of turmeric by viewing these 23 studies, as well as visiting our Blood Sugar Disorder research page, which covers natural health information on both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

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Turmeric Extract May Prevent, Even Reverse Diabetes (Type 1 And 2)

What if the long sought after “cure” for diabetes was as safe, affordable, and accessible as a spice sitting in your kitchen cupboard?

Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can cure the patient with food.”

-Hippocrates, 420 BC

Slowly but surely the world is waking up to the reality that diabetes is not only a preventable but a reversible condition, and that the drug-based model of symptom suppression and disease management has fatal flaws. For instance, some of the drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes actually increase the risk of death, with a recent study showing GMO insulin given to type 2 diabetics may lead to the development of so-called “double diabetes“: type 2 and type 1 diabetes, together. Clearly, if medicine can’t at least abide by its founding principle to “do no harm,” it must seek the answer somewhere other than from the “chemist’s pot.”

As the pharmaceutically-driven medical paradigm continues to lose adherents by the droves, and the public seeks a system that identifies and resolves the root causes of disease, interest is growing in the use of natural substances and lifestyle modifications to prevent and treat blood sugar disorders. And unlike a few decades ago, where most of the evidence for “natural healing” was anecdotal, there are now thousands of studies on hundreds of natural substances and therapeutic activities that may ameliorate blood sugar disorders and their complications. You can check out a good portion of the relevant research on the topic on GreenMedInfo.com’s blood sugar disorder database.

While plants like cinnamon and gymnema sylvestre have received plenty of attention for diabetes over the years, one special plant extract that is beginning to stand out from the crowd as being exceptionally valuable as an anti-diabetic agent is turmeric. There are, in fact, 21 articles on turmeric’s value in type 2 diabetes on our database alone.

Turmeric’s primary polyphenol curcumin is the main compound in the plant that has been researched for it’s blood sugar regulating properties. One particularly striking study, published in the American Diabetic Association’s own journal, Diabetes Care, found turmeric extract to be 100% effective in preventing pre-diabetics from developing type 2 diabetes — a feat of prevention that no FDA approved drug for type 2 diabetes has yet come even close to accomplishing.

Turmeric Extract May Reverse Pancreatic Damage In Type 1 Diabetes

It turns out that this spice may be a powerful therapeutic intervention for more than just type 2 diabetics. Pre-clinical research now reveals it may have a role in reversing pancreatic damage in insulin-dependent, type 1 diabetics, who are routinely told that their condition can not be cured. Type 1 diabetics are rarely educated to the fact that the root cause of their disorder can be addressed: namely, that the deficiency and/or dysfunction of the beta cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin can be repaired, as well as the autoimmune issues at the heart of the problem.

Back in 2013, an exciting study published in the journal Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome titled, “The effect of a novel curcumin derivative on pancreatic islet regeneration in experimental type-1 diabetes in rats (long term study),” found that diabetic rats who received a novel water-soluble, high concentrate (53.21%) curcumin derivative orally for 40 days showed an improvement of their plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide (a marker for the health and insulin producing capability of the beta cells) levels, that began after about 4 months, and continued to improve until the 10 month mark, when their values were almost completely normalized and evidence of significant pancreatic regeneration could be observed. The researchers concluded the novel curcumin derivative (NCD): “…possesses antidiabetic actions and enhanced pancreatic islets regeneration.”

The daily dose used in this rodent study (80 mg/kg) was the body weight equivalent of 6,400 mg or 6.4 grams of curcumin for an average North American male adult (80 kilograms/176 lbs). Rodent and human physiology is, of course, radically different, but significant crossovers nonetheless do exist. In another article, titled “Why Turmeric May Be the Diseased Liver’s Best Friend,” we reviewed research indicating that turmeric may help to reverse damage in and even regenerate the diabetic liver, as well as safety literature on what is a safe human dose:

A 2001 study in cancer patients reported that quantities of curcumin up to 8 g, administered per day for three months, were not toxic and resulted in significant anti-cancer properties in a number of those treated.[5] Considering that turmeric is only 3-4% curcumin by weight, this implies that a larger quantity of turmeric can be consumed safely, as well.

Given that organ transplantation (pancreatic islet transplants) is exceedingly expensive and prohibitive due to a lack of donor material and the potential for rejection by the host, the notion that a safe, affordable, and non-prescription spice extract like curcumin may have significant therapeutic value and may even regenerate damaged pancreatic tissue, is truly exciting. That said, it should be noted that since curcumin is not patentable, it is unlikely the 800 million dollars or more needed to fund the requisite clinical trials needed to obtain FDA drug approval will materialize. Because the so-called “evidence” needed to justify the use of a new treatment is locked behind an insurmountably high paywall, don’t count on randomized, controlled, trials being performed on this “natural cure” in the near or distant future.

In this study, the authors surmised that the ameliorative effects curcumin treatment on type 1 diabetic rodents observed were the result of beta cell regeneration and they explained the theory behind how this works:

Each tissue or organ is believed to contain a small sub-population of cells that is capable of self-renewal and has the ability to give rise to each mature cell type [47]. Thus, one of the most promising sources of beta cells might be pancreatic stem cells.

The researchers theorized that curcumin likely produces,

“…a favorable systemic and pancreatic environment to foster bone marrow transplantation and islet neogenesis. Accordingly, administration of curcumin; as an established anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory drug; would likely boost and preserve the process of islet regeneration; which was evidently proven true in this study.”

Curcumin’s “immunomodulatory” benefit in type 1 diabetes, also known as autoimmune diabetes, appears to be based on it reducing the activity of the host immune system in attacking self-structures. In fact, another recent study, published in 2014 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology titled, “Curcumin ameliorates autoimmune diabetes. Evidence in accelerated murine models of type 1 diabetes,” found that curcumin down-regulates the T cell response that destroys pancreatic beta cells, resulting in an improvement in autoimmune or type 1 diabetes.

It is important for the reader to know that curcumin is not a magic bullet; nor is it the only natural substance studied to have potential beta cell regenerative properties. Indeed, pancreatic regeneration has been induced experimentally for at least 23 different natural substances. We have a keyword dedicated to indexing relevant research on the topic here: beta cell regeneration. We’ve highlighted 10 of the most compelling ones in our article, “10 Natuaral Substances That Could Help Reverse Diabetes.”

As the research continues to accumulate on the value of natural substances for disease prevention and treatment, it is clear the future of medicine will rely on returning to the wisdom of the ancients, where Hippocrates’ fundamental principle that one can “cure the patient with food” is once again passionately embraced.

 

© February 5, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

The post Turmeric Extract May Prevent, Even Reverse Diabetes (Type 1 And 2) appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Natural Herbal HPV “Cure” Discovered

Despite the widespread belief that HPV infection is a lethal force against which we only have vaccination and watchful waiting to defend ourselves, both ancient herbal medicine and our body’s inherent immune defenses have newly been confirmed to have significant power against it.

A groundbreaking study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, titled, “Clearance of Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection by Topical Application of Curcumin and Curcumin Containing Polyherbal Cream: A Phase II Randomized Controlled Study,” reveals that vaccination and watchful waiting are not the only recourse against HPV infection.

The study is believed to be the first of its kind to find an effective and safe therapeutic intervention for the clearance of established cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Moreover, the study confirmed that HPV infection is self-limiting and clears on its own in 73.3% of the untreated placebo group within 37 days.

The researchers evaluated the effectiveness of two herbal interventions in eliminating HPV infection from the cervix of women who were determined to have HPV infection through Pap smear and HPV DNA tests (PCR), but whose condition had not yet progressed to high grade cervical neoplasias (i.e. cervical pre-cancer).

The first intervention used was a polyherbal vaginal cream containing containing extracts of curcumin, reetha, amla and aloe vera, known by the trade name Basant. The second intervention was a curcumin vaginal capsule. The other two placebo groups received either a vaginal placebo cream or a placebo vaginal capsule.

All 287 subjects were instructed to use one application of the assigned formulation daily for 30 consecutive days except during menstruation. Seven days after the last application they were recalled for repeat HPV test, cytology and colposcopy.

The results were reported as follows:

“HPV clearance rate in Basant arm (87.7%) was significantly higher than the combined placebo arms (73.3%). Curcumin caused higher rate of clearance (81.3%) than placebo though the difference was not statistically significant.”

Vaginal irritation and itching, mostly mild to moderate, was significantly higher after Basant application. No serious adverse events were noted.

While both of the herbal formulations clearly increased the rate of HPV clearance, it is noteworthy that the placebo group also experienced a 73.3% clearance rate, as it confirms that majority of HPV infections will clear from the body as a result of the immune system doing its job correctly. The researchers acknowledged that this is not a novel finding:

“It is already documented that the majority of HPV infections are self-limiting and cell-mediated immunity is responsible for spontaneous clearance.”

Indeed, we addressed this under appreciated fact in a previous article titled, The HPV Vaccine Debate: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:

[I]n 2004, Lancet published a study which found that low-grade squamous intra-epithelial cervical lesions (LSIL) commonly associated with HPV infection spontaneously regress in 61% of females within 12 months and 91% within 36 months.[i] LSIL is considered a mild form of cervical dysplasia (CIN), but is nonetheless often subject to more aggressive measures such as a colposcopy with biopsy,[ii] which sometimes leads to surgical treatment.

Another 2010 study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology found that at the end of 12 months of follow-up, the CIN 2 regression rate was 74% (31/42), progression rate to CIN 3 was 24% (10/42) and in one case CIN 2 persisted (2%).  Finally, a 2011 study in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Diseases found At 12 months, 70% of CIN 1 and 54% of CIN 2 lesions spontaneously regressed (p<.001).^[iii]

The odds therefore are clearly in the favor of HPV-associated abnormal cell changes (so-called ‘precancerous’ lesions) regressing naturally like most self-limiting viral infections. Vaccines are clearly not responsible for the ‘protection’ conferred by our inbuilt immunity; nor is the HPV virus some inevitable force of lethality that only universal HPV vaccination campaigns can effectively countermand.

Given the widespread belief that HPV infection is a lethal force against which we have only vaccination and watchful waiting to defend ourselves, this latest encourages us to recognize both the power of the human body and natural plant allies to help us maintain our health, despite the constant threat of infection.

In actuality, the results of the intervention are not surprising, given the established body of research indicating curcumin’s value as an anti-cancer agent. Not only has this powerful turmeric polyphenol been extensively researched for its anti-cancer properties in over 100 difference cancer cell types, the GreeMedInfo database contains 11 studies specifically on curcumin’s anti-cervical cancer properties, which can be viewed here.

For additional information on HPV related concerns, view the following sections on our database:

Human Papillomavirus HPV

Vaccination: HPV Gardasil

Cervical Cancer

 

© January 15, 2018 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

 

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Light-Turmeric Extract Combo Treats Psoriasis Effectively

Oral turmeric extract (curcumin) in combination with light therapy produces remarkable healing results in patients with severe-to-moderate psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin condition characterized by itchy, dry, scaly plaques.  Conventional treatment, which involves drugs and sometimes surgery, is often ineffective, leading many to search for alternative treatments. Many of these, however, have not been studied clinically and while working in some circumstances, may not be taken as seriously as so-called evidence-based natural interventions.

Thankfully, there are a number of natural interventions that have undergone conventional research protocols, over thirty of which can be viewed on our psoriasis research page.  You will notice that curcumin, the primary polyphenol in turmeric, features high on the list, with four studies concerning its potential therapeutic value.  Now, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial published in the European Journal of Dermatology has found that oral curcumin extract in combination with visible light therapy (phototherapy) is highly effective at improving the condition of adults with plaque psoriasis.

Titled, “Effects of Curcuma extract and visible light on adults with plaque psoriasis,” European researchers conducted a trial with patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis. They received curcumin extract orally for 17 days, about 15 days of which occurred in combination with either real visible light phototherapy (VLRT) or simulated visible light phototherapy (VLST) in only the experimental area, while the rest of the body surface was treated with ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation.

The study results were reported as follows:

Twenty-one patients were included in the study. In the intention-to-treat analysis, no patients included in the VLRT group showed “moderate” or “severe” plaques after the treatment, in contrast to the patients included in the VSLT group (p<0.01). Parallelisms in the evolution of PGA (Psoriasis Global Assessment), BSA (body surface area), and PASI (psoriasis area and severity index) scores were observed in the two groups following the treatment. At the end of the study period, 76% of all patients showed a response in the BSA exposed to UVA. Lesions on the experimental area showed a response in 81% of the patients in the VLRT group and 30% of the patients in the VLST group. There were no study-related adverse events that necessitated participant withdrawal.”

In other words, all three groups showed significant improvement, with the most pronounced effect involving a combination of real visible light phototherapy and oral curcumin who no longer showed “moderate” or “severe” plagues after treatment.

The study concluded:

The results suggested that moderate to severe plaque psoriasis should show a therapeutic response to orally administered Curcuma if activated with visible light phototherapy, a new therapeutic method that would be safer for patients than existing treatments.”

Because the full study was not available to us, we are not able to report how much curcumin they used. Despite this limitation, previous trials give us an idea of what constitutes a therapeutic dose. For instance, a phase II trial with psoriatic patients used 4.5 grams of curcumin, the results of which are described below:

A phase II, open-label, Simon’s two-stage clinical trial sought to determine the safety and efficacy of oral curcumin in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis (52). [1] Twelve patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled in the study and were given 4.5-g curcumin capsules every day for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week observation period. Curcumin was well-tolerated, and all participants completed the study. The response rate was low, however, possibly caused by a placebo effect or the natural history of psoriasis. However, two patients who responded to the treatment showed 83% to 88% improvement at 12 weeks of treatment. Small sample size and the lack of a control (placebo) group were the limitations of the study (52). Therefore, large placebo-controlled studies are required before recommending oral curcumin for psoriasis.[2]“

Additionally, since certain subtypes of psoriasis have been linked to wheat and gluten intolerance ad/or sensitivity, it is important to consider a broad-based strategy in preventing and/or treating psoriasis versus simply looking for “natural” magic bullets.

References

[1] Kurd SK, Smith N, VanVoorhees A, Troxel AB, Badmaev V, Seykora JT, Gelfand JM. Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Apr;58(4):625-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.12.035. Epub 2008 Feb 4. Erratum in: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Jun;58(6):1050. PubMed PMID: 18249471; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4131208.

[2] Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB. Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. AAPS J. 2013 Jan;15(1):195-218. doi: 10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8. Epub 2012 Nov 10. Review. PubMed PMID: 23143785; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3535097.

© September 15, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

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How Turmeric Supports Weight Loss

A healthy weight loss program only produces sustaining results when exercise is combined with the right dietary approach. There are other components that play a role, such as sleep and sunlight exposure, but certain foods could really give your weight loss efforts a substantial boost. Turmeric is one of those foods. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, could in fact halt the infiltration of fat tissue throughout the body by inhibiting angiogenesis.

Is Turmeric the Magic Component for Weight Loss?

Managing weight is a constant issue for many people, and researchers have been searching to find the solution. A study performed at Tufts University took a look at whether turmeric could produce favorable changes in body mass index. ^[1] A 12-week study in mice compared the effects of turmeric on a high-fat diet, administering a very small amount of curcumin daily of about 1.5 to 1.75 milligrams.

In comparison to the non-supplemented group of mice, those that were receiving turmeric gained less weight and body fat throughout the duration of the study. The mice taking curcumin during the 12 week period also had less blood vessel growth present in fat tissue, and blood sugar, cholesterol, liver fat, and triglycerides were remarkably lower. It does suggest that turmeric extract may be a beneficial supplement when attempting to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

How Does Turmeric Work for Weight Loss?

The exact mechanisms behind turmeric’s weight loss capabilities is still unclear; however, there are a few theories. For one, turmeric is one of the most powerful spices for reducing systemic redness, swelling, and irritation in the body, and this irritation is one of the leading factors behind obesity and every other debilitating disease. Turmeric also rates high on the ORAC antioxidant scale. ^[2] Antioxidants are not only helpful for protecting DNA and cells from oxidative damage, they’re also extremely useful for reducing fat accumulation.

Do you use turmeric regularly? Please let us know if it’s been helping you!

References:

1. USDA/Agricultural Research Service. Compound In Turmeric Spice May Stall Spread Of Fat Tissue. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 May 2009.


2. Sahdeo Prasad and Bharat B. Aggarwal. Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.

Is The Cure For Diabetes A Humble Root?

Billions are spent annually and still there is no conventional cure for diabetes. Or is there a cheap, safe and freely available solution already growing beneath our feet?  

Diabetes is a very big business, representing tens of billion of dollars in pharmaceutical drug sales annually. Tragically, while the number of diabetes diagnoses continue to expand globally the drugs themselves, including recombinant (GMO produced) insulin, appear to actually increase mortality. Upton Sinclair nailed the problem on its head when he stated:

It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”

In other words, the resistance within the conventional medical system against finding both the causes and the cures for the diabetes epidemic is institutional, economically-motivated, and fundamentally unethical.

This happens to be why GreenMedInfo.com continues to enjoy expanding popularity around the world. There is no shortage of research on natural solutions to both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but with the mainstream media’s primary funding coming from Big Pharma, the storylines either completely ignore or are pitted against the natural solutions we regularly report on. Back in 2014, for instance, we reported on a truly groundbreaking finding published in the American Diabetes Association’s very own journal, Diabetes Care, which found a turmeric extract (curcumin) was 100% effective in preventing the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes (type 2).

Obviously, turmeric possesses a wide range of side benefits, making this finding all the more promising for those under conventional care. Clearly, if these spectacular results had been obtained through an FDA approved drug instead of a plant that grows freely, it would have made global headlines as one of the greatest achievements of modern pharmaceutical medicine history.

Fortunately, it appears that academic interest in turmeric and diabetes is picking up.

A new report, focused on the work of an Indian scientist, Professor Manohar Gang, working out o the University of Newcastle’s Nutraceuticals Research Group, suggests that turmeric’s anti-diabetic properties are related to its well known anti-inflammatory properties. Professor Gang is presently designing a clinical trial that will look at this connection in depth:

The root cause of type 2 diabetes is systemic inflammation, which impacts insulin secretion and function” Professor Garg explains. “We want to nip the inflammation in the bud.”

Professor Gang is leading a randomized, controlled trial that will test the effects of both turmeric and omega-3 fatty acids:

“The anti-inflammatory mechanisms surrounding curcumin and omega-3 fats are different, so we want to test if they complement each other and have treatment synergies beyond their individual effects,” Professor Garg added. “Our thinking is that the combination is safe, free of any side- effects and may prove to be as effective as drugs used for management of diabetes”.

Greenmedinfo.com already houses a wide range of studies on both turmeric and omega-3 fatty acid’s anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, along with extensive research on over 1700 other natural substances.

You can view the anti-type 1 Diabetes research on turmeric here, and the anti-type 2 Diabetes research on turmeric here. Or, take a look at the 120 studies on our database on turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties.  You can also explore the role of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation reduction and blood sugar balancing on our omega-3 database page here.

But don’t be mesmerized by magic bullets.

It should be noted that while turmeric and/or omega-3 fatty acids may provide a greatly superior alternative to conventional drug therapy for blood sugar disorders like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there is a tendency to mistakenly over-identify with the allopathic model of disease by simply reproducing the same assumptions and addressing symptoms palliatively with would-be “nutraceutical magic bullets.” It is not our intention to replicate or reinforce these misunderstandings. A truly sustainable and root-cause-resolution oriented approach to managing and even resolving diabetes would look at factors such as heavy metal and petrochemical accumulations, hormone imbalance, nutritional incompatibilities, deficiencies and excesses, lack of adequate exercise, mind-body stress reduction techniques and mindfulness, etc. It is only through addressing the whole person that you can arrive at a true resolution of the underlying conditions that have lead one to a conventional diagnosis. For further research to support you in your task, visit our Health Guide: Blood Sugar Disorders, which collates both the first-hand biomedical research on natural/functional medical interventions, as well as articles aimed to translate in lay person terminology the import of these studies.

Also, learn more about turmeric’s amazing health benefits in our video below: 

© August 19, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

Curcumin Benefits: Understanding This Powerful Antioxidant

Curcumin is the primary active ingredient in turmeric. Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice well known as a prominent ingredient in Indian cuisine and yellow mustard, but it also offers potent therapeutic benefits. Curcumin is the pigment responsible for both turmeric’s brilliant golden color and many of its health benefits. Curcumin soothes irritated tissue, is a potent antioxidant, supports wound healing, resists harmful organisms, and helps maintain health in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and immune systems.^[1]

The Potent Antioxidant Activity of Curcumin

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the body’s production of harmful free radicals and its ability to counteract their adverse effects. Antioxidants help restore this balance by inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules, allowing your body’s natural healing mechanisms to repair the damage.

Turmeric contains many antioxidant compounds, of which curcumin is the most potent. In fact, studies have found that the antioxidant activities of this compound are ten times more effective than those of resveratrol, the much-hyped antioxidant in red wine.

In vitro testing has found that this compound scavenges free radicals and protects DNA from oxidative damage. Interestingly, not only does curcumin have its own antioxidant properties, it also appears to enhance the strength of other antioxidants.^[1]

Promotes Cardiovascular Health

The antioxidant properties of turmeric have a direct effect on the cardiovascular system. Curcumin reduces the toxic effects of aggressive medical therapies, especially the way they affect the heart.^[2] Animal testing has found that the phytochemical promotes normal heart size and function.^[2]

Helps Maintain Liver Health

For centuries, traditional Hindu medicine has used turmeric to support liver health. While much of this research has concentrated on its potential action against rogue cells, relatively few studies have been done on its liver-protecting effects. The research that already exists reveals promising results.

Studies have found that curcumin helps protect the liver from the effects of various toxins and promotes normal liver function.^[3] Animal tests indicate that it may also have potential for addressing fatty liver disease.^[4] More research is necessary to fully examine these promising liver-protecting effects in humans.

Resists Harmful Organisms

Research has found that curcumin displays resistance against many types of harmful organisms. Its resistance to fungus may be the most impressive.^{[1, 5]} In vitro, turmeric extracts have even been observed to inhibit the growth of harmful organisms that specifically target the digestive system.^[1]

Other Health Benefits

As if its antioxidant, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective properties, and resistance to harmful organisms aren’t enough, turmeric shows strong potential in many other applications. It’s a legitimate superfood, and researchers are studying it for dozens of possible health benefits. Here are just a few.

Soothes Irritation

Curcumin has soothing abilities and is one of the most effective ways to naturally address the symptoms of red, swollen tissue. Multiple studies have determined that daily ingestion of turmeric reduces tenderness, joint swelling, and stiffness.^[1]

Cancer

Scientists have dedicated much research to turmeric’s relationship with cancer. Animal and in vitro studies that have evaluated curcumin and several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. Those inquiries are exploratory and more research is needed.^[6]

Wound Healing

Both animal and human studies found that curcumin encourages wound repair and normal skin cell production. The effect seems to be effective regardless of whether the curcumin was taken orally or applied directly to the wound.^[1]

Gastrointestinal Health

Curcumin consumption promotes normal gallbladder function and bile flow. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study found that turmeric supported normal digestion. Other studies have found that turmeric supports the health of stomach cells.^[1]

Bioavailability of Curcumin

While curcumin may seem like a miracle nutrient, it does have one possible weakness-bioavailability. Studies indicate that a relatively small percent is actually absorbed by the body after consumption. Because of this, much recent research has been devoted to improving its bioavailability.

Nanocurcumin is a specialized form of curcumin in which tiny particles of the compound are suspended in a special emulsion. In theory, these nanoparticles should be easier to absorb due to a greater total surface area, improved physical stability, and reduced energy requirements for processing.^[7] Further research is necessary, but early results are very promising. Researchers have already found nanocurcumin to be more effective at suppressing harmful bacterial activity than standard curcumin formulations.^[8]

While nanoparticles hold serious potential, there may be a simpler way of increasing the bioavailability of curcumin. Piperine is an alkaloid found in black pepper. It slows certain metabolic process, increasing the bioavailability of other compounds taken with it. Researchers found that the addition of piperine can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2000%!^[9]

Tips for Growing Turmeric

Growing turmeric is easy, but it takes about a year to harvest. Unless you’re in a tropical climate, you’ll need to grow it indoors. Turmeric doesn’t propagate by seeds. Instead, Look for fresh turmeric root at a local nursery (non-organic grocery store varieties may be treated with growth-inhibiting chemicals) and plant a cutting.

A large root will likely have several nodes attached to it, cut them apart-each one will start a new plant. Give each its own container, or plant them 12-16 inches apart in your garden; bury each under 2 inches of loose soil.

Turmeric prefers well-drained soil and full sun. You should see sprouts 3-6 weeks after planting. Your turmeric root should be ready for harvest after 8-10 months. You’ll need to start a new plant each year. You can save some of the rhizomes for next year’s crop.

Supplementing With Curcumin

Eating fresh turmeric is the best way for your body to reap the full health benefits of the spice. If adding fresh turmeric to your menu every day proves impractical or monotonous, then your next best option is a high-quality supplement from a reputable brand.

Many low-cost, low-quality turmeric supplements have been recalled for lead contamination!^[10] Before you buy, do your research and pay attention to product reviews. Only buy turmeric from trusted companies that are 100% transparent about sourcing.

While you can find supplements that only offer curcumin, I recommend a whole turmeric supplement that will provide all the essential cofactors and enzymes that help your body process the phytochemical.

Global Healing Center offers a liquid turmeric extract and we’re exceptionally proud of it. We use only the highest quality organic turmeric suspended in a gentle and safe vegetable glycerin base; this supplement contains no alcohol, fillers, or unwanted additives. The feedback we’ve received is incredible.

I’d like to hear from people who’ve supplemented with turmeric, what benefits did you notice? Leave a comment below and share your experience with us.

References (10)

1. Braun, Lesley, and Marc Cohen. “Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide: Volume 2.” Australia, Churchill Livingstone, 21 Nov. 2014. Print.


2. Wongcharoen, W., and A. Phrommintikul. “The Protective Role of Curcumin in Cardiovascular Diseases.” International Journal of Cardiology., vol. 133, no. 2, 24 Feb. 2009, pp. 145–51. Accessed 4 Jan. 2017.


3. Rivera-Espinoza, Yadira, and Pablo Muriel. “Pharmacological Actions of Curcumin in Liver Diseases or Damage.” Liver International, vol. 29, no. 10, Nov. 2009, pp. 1457–1466.


4. Kuo, J.J., et al. “Positive Effect of Curcumin on Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Obese Mice with Liver Steatosis.” International Journal of Molecular Medicine., vol. 30, no. 3, 4 July 2012, pp. 673–9. Accessed 4 Jan. 2017.


5. Wang, Y., et al. “Study on the Antibiotic Activity of Microcapsule Curcumin Against Foodborne Pathogens.” International Journal of Food Microbiology., vol. 136, no. 1, 25 Sept. 2009, pp. 71–4. Accessed 4 Jan. 2017.


6. “Turmeric.” Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide, University of Maryland Medical Center, 26 June 2014. Accessed 4 Jan. 2017.


7. Jaiswal, Manjit, Rupesh Dudhe, and P. K. Sharma. “Nanoemulsion: An Advanced Mode of Drug Delivery System.” 3 Biotech 5.2 (2015): 123–127.PMC. Web. 6 Feb. 2017.


8. Bhawana, and et al. “Curcumin Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Study.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry., vol. 59, no. 5, 17 Feb. 2011, pp. 2056–61. Accessed 6 Feb. 2017.


9. Shoba, G., et al. “Influence of Piperine on the Pharmacokinetics of Curcumin in Animals and Human Volunteers.” Planta Medica., vol. 64, no. 4, 10 June 1998, pp. 353–6. Accessed 4 Jan. 2017.


10. “Six Brands of Turmeric Added to Recall for Excessive Lead.” Food Safety News, Marler Clark, 8 Aug. 2016. Accessed 4 Jan. 2017.

Turmeric: A Wellness Promoting Tonic At Low Doses, Research Reveals

Over the years, there has been plenty of research performed on the value of natural substances in treating human diseases, but very little has been conducted on the effects of commonly used supplements and/or food components such as spices in already healthy people to improve their well-being.

All the more reason why a study published in 2012 in the Nutrition Journal titled, “Diverse effects of a low dose supplement of lapidated curcumin in healthy middle aged people,’ holds great interest among those on the fence about using dietary supplements to improve the quality and perhaps length of their lives, but for which clinical proof is lacking.

The study was conducted in healthy middle aged people (40–60 years old) with a low dose of curcumin (80 mg/day) in a fat soluble (lipidated) form. Curcumin is the primary polyphenol found in turmeric (3% concentration by dry weight), which gives the root its bright saffron color. Two groups of 19 subjects were given either curcumin or placebo for 4 weeks. Blood and saliva samples were taken before and after the 4 weeks and analyzed for the following blood and saliva measures relevant to health promotion:

• Blood plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations (mg/dl).


• Blood plasma concentrations of nitric oxide and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM).


• Blood plasma concentrations of myeloperoxidase (ng/ml) and C-reactive protein (mg/L x10).


• Saliva activities of amylase (U/L) and antioxidant status (uM of copper reducing equivalents).


• Blood plasma activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (U/L) and beta amyloid protein (pmoles/L).

The positive results were reported as follows:

• Curcumin lowered triglycerides, but not cholesterol (note: lowering cholesterol may harm human health).


• Curcumin increased plasma contents of nitric oxide, a molecule that can work against high blood pressure, as well as lowering plasma concentrations of sICAM, a molecule linked to atherosclerosis.


• Curcumin raised plasma myeloperoxidase concentrations, without raising C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin values – a sign of normal and inflammation-related neutrophil function.


• Curcumin reduced salivary amylase activities, which are an indicator of sympathetic nervous system stress.


• Curcumin raised salivary radical scavenging capacities, an indicator of reduced oxidative stress.·


• Curcumin reduced plasma contents of beta amyloid protein, a marker for brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease.


• Curcumin reduced ALT liver enzyme activities, a marker for liver injury.

The study authors noted that, “in apparently healthy individuals, a relatively low dose of a specific curcumin preparation can exert a variety of health promoting effects.” They pointed out that in previous human intervention studies using curcumin much larger doses were used in people who were already suffering from health problems. What was unique about their findings was that, “the wide variety of potentially health promoting effects seen in the present study suggests that curcumin can produce benefits in people without immediate disease states.” [emphasis added]

What is so encouraging about this study is that unlike much of the research that now exists using natural substances and/or dietary interventions to improve the condition of subjects with already serious diseases, we now have solid evidence that curcumin has wellness-promoting properties. This is a different concept than ‘disease-fighting,’ which participates in a war-like mentality and implies that the body must be subjected to aggressive, heroic and sometimes dangerous treatments to beat it back into a state of symptom reduction or symptom remission.

The point, of course, is to prevent disease from taking hold in the first place by supporting the body’s many complex systems naturally. Curcumin, and the whole turmeric root from which it derives, has a remarkable ability to modulate numerous pathways in the body simultaneously, almost as if by some intelligent hand.  This new study only further confirms why this plant has been appreciated as a sacred healing ally for thousands of years, and why it may play a vital role in the modern world both in protecting us from many life-threatening illnesses and acting as a body wide tonic, even when consumed in moderation, or in culinary doses.

©  April 18, 2017 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.

Curry Dilates Arteries With One Serving

Did you know that a single culinary serving of spices in the form of curry can dilate your arteries, preventing the cardiovascular harms associated with eating common foods?

While spices are thought of mainly as culinary agents for the aesthetical enhancement of the flavor of food, they are also powerful medicinal agents, and in certain respects may actually mitigate the harms of things we like to eat that may not be as good for us as their pleasurable tastes and textures would have us believe.

A study published in Nutrition Journal titled, “A single consumption of curry improved postprandial endothelial function in healthy male subjects: a randomized, controlled crossover trial,” brought home exactly this point. Moreover, it reveals that certain culinary formulas, sometimes handed down through countless generations, may have indispensable value for our health. Interestingly, we find this concept echoed in the word recipe itself, whose first recorded use in Mid 16-century French literally means “medical prescription.”

A curry is essentially a blend of various spices used as a sauce in dishes, and in the case of this study’s tested formula, a traditional Japanese combination was used containing the following 8 herbs:  Clove, coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, onion, red pepper, turmeric. [Note: click the hyperlinks of the preceding 8 herbs to view the extensive database of healing properties we have amassed on each one]  Interesting, Japanese curry was actually introduced to Japan by the British during the Meiji period (1868–1912) when India was still under colonial rule, making it a “Western” influence there, even though it ultimately originated in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

In the study, researchers tested 14 healthy male subjects with an average age of 45 years, who were given either a single serving of curry meal or spice-free control meal (180 g of curry or control and 200 g of cooked rice; approximately 500 kcal in total). Researchers then tested what happened to the blood vessels of subjects before and consuming either meal.

A variety of Indian curries. Image Source: Wikicommons.

Based on post-meal measurements of the ability of blood to pass through the blood vessels (postprandial flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and other parameters, clearly the consumption of curry increased the blood flow through the blood vessels (increased FMD), whereas the consumption of the curry-free control meal resulted in a decrease in blood flow (decreased FMD). More specifically, the results were reported as follows:

The consumption of the control meal decreased FMD from 5.8 ± 2.4% to 5.1 ± 2.3% (P = 0.039). On the other hand, the consumption of the curry meal increased FMD from 5.2 ± 2.5% to 6.6 ± 2.0% (P = 0.001), and the postprandial FMD after the curry meal was higher than that after the control meal (P = 0.002). Presence of spices in the curry did not alter significantly the systemic and forearm hemodynamics, or any biochemical parameters including oxidative stress markers measured.”

The researchers concluded that curry prevented the negative effects of the meal upon post-meal “endothelial function,” that is, it prevented the inner lining (endothelium) of the blood vessels from contracting and inhibiting the normal flow of blood throughout the cardiovascular system. They surmised that the antioxidant activity of the spices likely are responsible for the observed positive outcomes, possibly through blunting the post-meal increases in blood sugar and/or oxidative stress. They summarized their findings:

Curry consumption ameliorates postprandial endothelial dysfunction and may be beneficial for preventing cardiovascular events. Lifestyle-related diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus have become serious health problems in the modern world. Curry may be helpful in the fight against those lifestyle-related diseases.”

The reason why this finding is highly relevant to concerns about cardiovascular function is because atherosclerosis — the so-called “hardening of the arteries” — takes decades to develop within the system, often completely without symptoms, and one of the characteristic predisposing features of this pathological process is endothelial dysfunction, often starting with the inability of the blood vessels to fully relax when confronted with any number of stressors – dietary incompatibilities (e.g. wheat) and deficiencies (e.g. magnesium), environmental (e.g. smoking), infectious (e.g. periodontal pathogens), and psychological (e.g. stress) — and resultant damage incurred by them. You can see a more extensive list of nutritional approaches to keeping your arteries healthy here.

Imagine what would happen if we could address endothelial dysfunction decades before it progresses into atherosclerosis?  Since heart disease is the #1 killer, worldwide, adding certain medicinal spices to the diet could perhaps help to neutralize the cardiotoxic and highly lethal disease vector which is the standard Western diet. We’ve reported, previously, on how something so simple as adding fresh avocado to a traditional American hamburger completely ameliorates the artery-contracting properties of this typical meal. It is amazing when you consider all of the edible things now studied which are capable of ameliorating endothelial dysfunction. You can peruse the Endothelial Dysfunction page on GreenMedInfo.com’s healing substances database and find over 90 substances that may help with this goal.

Take a look at the 1700 studies on turmeric’s health benefits on our database.

Consider, also, that some of the spices in curry, such as turmeric, and which features almost universally in all the different cultural variations, have themselves been studied individually to have powerful cardiovascular benefits. Turmeric extract, for instance, was found to confer health benefits to the cardiovascular system as powerful as exercise. Garlic has been found to clear the arteries of plaque and to have blood-pressure lowering properties in hypertensive patients about as potent as pharmaceutical drugs.  You can learn more by looking at the over 1,000 studies we have indexed on the therapeutic potential of dozens of culinary herbs and spices here.

The beauty, however, is that culinary combinations of herbs often require lower doses than are typically used in the context of traditional herbal medicine. In fact, recent research on the spice rosemary known by poets and herbalists for centuries to be “for remembrance,” shows that lower culinary doses are much more effective than larger ‘pharmacologic’ doses for boosting cognition. Less can be more, and with the possibility of synergistic combinations, even lower amounts are needed to obtain a beneficial effect, especially when the purpose is to prevent disease, rather than just treat it after the fact with an aggressive ’emergency care’ model typical of allopathic approaches. Also, for those who do not like “spicy food,” consider drinking spices like turmeric by preparing beverage called “Turmeric Milk.” Check out this DIY recipe here.

Also, consider that the quality of the spices you consume may make all the difference to your health. It is a underreported fact that many of the spices available on the shelf in the U.S. today are irradiated with massive doses of gamma radiation, in a process euphemistically called “cold-pasteurization.” Read my article on the topic, “The Invisible Nuclear Threat Within Non-Organic Food,” to learn more. Suffice it to say, unless it is certified organic, or wild-harvested, it may actually be harmful to your health.

Finally, another useful culinary hack you can employ to reduce white rice’s potential toxicity is to cook it with coconut. It will significantly reduce both the caloric content and blood-sugar elevating properties of the dish if you do so. Learn more by reading: Coconut Oil May Reduce White Rice Calories 50-60%.

© October 22, 2016 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here http://www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.