Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is a perennial herb and part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) that originated in India and is cultivated in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. It is used as a spice derived from the plant’s root in Asian cuisines. Curcuminoids are the active component of turmeric and are known as curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BMC). But curcumin is the most significant curcuminoid.
Historical uses:
Historically turmeric has been used as a digestive aid and choleretic (increases bile secretion from the liver) almost universally. In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used in respiratory problems, wound healing, liver, and dermatological conditions. In Ayurveda,it also has a long history of anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects. Turmeric also has traditional uses in China, Japan, and Korea for various disorders.
Fun fact:
Turmeric has been used as a colouring agent (food, cosmetics, and textiles), insect repellent, and in religious ceremonies in India. Other names include Indian saffron and the golden spice.
Parts used:
Rhizome (creeping root stalk)
Major chemical constituents:
4-7% essential oils (phellandrene, sabinene, cineol, borneol, zingiberene and sesquiterpenes),
3-5% curcuminoids (curcumin accounts for 77%, DMC is 17% and BMC 3-6%), minerals and vitamins.
Therapeutic actions:
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, stomachic, cholagogue, choleretic, hepatoprotective, and immune modulation.
Key benefits based on traditional and clinical use:
- Antioxidant - reduces free radicals in the body.
- Anti-inflammatory - relieves inflammation
- Decreases symptoms of mild arthritis / mild osteoarthritis
- Relieves mild joint pain and swelling
- Digestive aid for flatulence, dyspepsia
- May help with depression
- May help non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Evidence for clinical use:
1. Antioxidant action
Curcumin was tested using various methods to confirm antioxidant status. Curcumin was shown to inhibit fat oxidation of a specific fat emulsion by 97.3%. Curcumin was tested against other substances for reference. A studyin patients with beta-thalassemia disease found that giving curcumin improved oxidative stress (free radical stress) levels from baseline. After three months of withdrawal, the oxidative markers returned to levels seen before the curcumin dosing.
2. Anti-inflammatory
Curcumin has broad anti-inflammatory properties and works by regulating inflammatory signalling pathways and reducing many inflammatory mediators. Curcumin can bind to certain receptors (Toll-like receptors) and regulates nuclear factor kappa-B and other signalling pathways. Also, in laboratory studies, curcumin decreased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators such as certain Interleukin, Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and other inflammatory mediators.
3. Osteoarthritis
In a two-armed study, researchers utilized a form of curcumin with enhanced bioavailability of curcuminoids formulated with phospholipids, as in Meriva®. The researchers recruited 100 patients with osteoarthritis (x-ray diagnosed) in either or both knees. The patients were allowed to use other pain killers in each group. But one group took the Meriva® form of curcumin along with their medications and the other group didn’t (control group). The results showed patients in the Meriva® (curcumin) group had reduced scores for pain significantly, and the scores for physical function had improved, with great improvement on a treadmill distance test from the beginning to the end of the study (8 months). The Meriva® (curcumin) group also reported a reduction in use of extra pain medication while the control group didn’t.
4. Dyspepsia
A randomized, double-blind study looked at the efficacy of curcumin in dyspepsia. The trial conducted in six Thai hospitals and included 116 adults and each patient received two capsules of drug or placebo, four times daily for seven days. The patients had been diagnosed with acid dyspepsia, flatulent dyspepsia, and/or atonic dyspepsia. 87% of the treatment group responded favourably compared to 53% receiving placebo. So, the results showed it improved dyspepsia significantly.
5. Depression
Research is mixed but generally shows that 1g of curcumin taken with antidepressants can improve symptoms after 6 weeks but wasn’t clear if the benefit stayed after 8 weeks. A meta-analysis showed 1 gram of curcumin taken with antidepressants for six weeks improves depression symptoms compared to placebo in patients with major depressive disorder. But another study on patients with milder depressive symptoms and no anti-depressive medication failed to show any benefit.
6. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
NAFLD is the build-up of fat in the liver of people who drink none or very small amounts of alcohol. Taking curcumin orally has been shown to reduce the markers of liver damage and may help to prevent the build-up of more fat.
Absorption:
Curcumin has notoriously poor absorption and bioavailability as it is a fat-soluble substance, which is why the Meriva® form of curcumin is formulated by complexing curcumin with phospholipids. The result is a 29-fold higher level of absorption of curcuminoids compared to a regular standardised curcuminoid mixture.
Cautions:
Do not take while on warfarin therapy without medical advice. Caution if you have gallstones or bile obstruction, consult your practitioner. Check with a health practitioner if you are on other medications or if you have other underlying medical conditions.
Always consult your healthcare professional to determine if supplementation is suitable for you.
