Turmeric

 

Turmeric is a spice that is very widely available in Indonesia, even some who make it as traditional herbs. No wonder because of the benefits the plant / herb is not only to masakkan but also for health. Among other benefits of turmeric most commonly known by the general public is for nursing mothers, for pregnant women and so on. While the other benefits of turmeric is to clean your face and remove the black spots on the skin.

benefits of Turmeric

•  Anti-inflammatory (inflammation)

Volatile oil content in turmeric has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity which is significant in a variety of experimental models and research. Even more powerful than essential oils, this is due to yellow or orange pigment of turmeric, called curcumin. Curcumin is considered the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric. In many studies, the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin has been shown to comparable drugs hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as an anti-inflammatory like Motrin. Unlike the drugs, which are associated with significant toxic effects (ulcer formation, decreased number of white blood cells, intestinal bleeding), curcumin does not produce toxicity.  

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (chronic joint inflammation)

Clinical studies have shown that curcumin in turmeric also exerts very powerful antioxidant effects. As an antioxidant, curcumin is able to neutralize free radicals, chemicals that may be in the body and cause damage to healthy cells and cell membranes. This is important in many diseases, one of which is arthritis, where free radicals are the cause painful joint inflammation and damage to the joints.The content of turmeric which can give the effect of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory explain why many people with joint disease was very relieved when taking this herb. In a recent study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (chronic joint inflammation), curcumin compared with phenylbutazone will produce comparable improvement in such a short duration of morning stiffness in the joints and reduces swelling.

•  Prevention of Cancer

This allows the content of the antioxidant curcumin to protect colon cells from free radicals that can damage DNA. This process is very useful especially for the large intestine where cell turnover is quite rapid, occurring approximately every three days. Because of cell replication is often the case, the DNA mutations in colon cells can cause the formation of cancer cells much faster. Curcumin also helps the body to destroy cancer cells, so they can not spread throughout the body that can make more damage to the main parah.Cara curcumin do this is by improving liver function.Other mechanisms conducted by curcumin (forming substances, yellow / orange in turmeric) that could protect against the development of cancer is by inhibiting protein synthesis is considered a role in tumor formation and prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth. Turmeric is more potent than the leaves of lemongrass and possible benefits as well as benefits of soursop leaves in eradicating the cancer.

What a powerful cancer prevented through turmeric? Liver cancer, colon cancer, blood cancer, prostate cancer 

• Antioxidants improve 

The content of curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals because of its use within its chemical structure. Besides curcumin also enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the body itself. In this way, curcumin provide resistance / kill free radicals. 

• Preventing Alzheimer's

Numerous studies show that curcumin, biologically active constituents in turmeric, can prevent Alzheimer's disease by activating a gene that encodes a protein production of antioxidants. A study published in the Journal of Biochemistry Italy (December 2003) discusses the role of curcumin in the induction of pathways oxygenase heme, protective system, when triggered in the brain tissue, causing the production of bilirubin antioxidant becomes stronger, which protects the brain against oxidative (free radical) and injury ,
Oxidation is thought to be major factors in aging and lead to neurodegenerative disorders including dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Another study conducted jointly by the Italian team and the United States and presented at the annual conference of the American Physiological Society in 2004 in Washington, DC, confirmed that curcumin plays an important role induce gene, called hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the astrocytes of the hippocampus region of the brain