Why Take Turmeric Pills? Review of Positive and Negative Effects

Turmeric pills are used to reduce inflammation in the body and to alleviate pain from arthritis.

Turmeric supplements come in the form of pill tablets, capsules, bulk powder, tinctures and decoctions. Turmeric is also sometimes added to creams and oils to be applied to the skin.

Turmeric is a spice made from the underground stems and roots of the plant Curcuma longa. It is a member of the ginger family and has been used throughout Asia as a food spice and preservative.

Turmeric is also part of the traditional medicine practices of the region, such as Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional uses include the treatment of skin ailments, liver disorders and digestive conditions.

Contemporary research has identified a polyphenol called curcumin (diferuloylmethane) as the active ingredient in turmeric. It is also the chemical constituent that gives the spice its distinctive golden/yellow color. Turmeric pills contains, on average, between 2 and 5% curcumin.

Curcumin is also available in supplement form. A quality curcumin product will include a much higher standardized concentration of curcuminoids, the chemical group to which curcumin belongs. When curcumin is metabolized, two other curcuminoids are generated: bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin.

Turmeric

Herbal Supplement

Joints

Heart Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Contains anti-inflammatory curcuminoids
• Promotes brain & cardiovascular health
• Supports the immune system & anti-oxidant enzymes

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Turmeric Pills

Curcumin and turmeric exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial/viral effects. Curcuminoids are being studied for their possible medicinal uses.

Turmeric pills are taken orally for a number of conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Digestive disorders, such as dyspepsia (heartburn)
• Liver and gallbladder conditions
• Respiratory infections and the common cold
• Cancer

This is only a sample of the popular uses for turmeric and curcumin pills. There is variable scientific evidence to support the uses for which it is consumed.

For example, some clinical trials indicate turmeric may help reduce knee pain in individuals with osteoarthritis and this supplement is considered effective for this application.

However, there is less conclusive research into the effects of turmeric for curcumin. while the majority of research on turmeric and cancer has not involved human subjects. It is not clear what effect (if an) turmeric or curcumin will have on human cancer. This remains a subject of active investigation.

Turmeric is also considered an adaptogen, a natural substance taken to help the body better adapt to environmental stress. Other adaptogens include ashwagandha, ginkgo, ginseng, ginger and notable fungi like Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushrooms).

Turmeric Pills for Depression

Turmeric has been used for centuries to lift the mood and ease depression. In contemporary research, curcumin has been observed to reduce symptoms of depression in animal models.

Researchers hypothesize that curcumin may have an effect on depression by regulating the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Curcumin is also hypothesized to reduce neuroinflammation and protect against oxidative stress (stress caused by free radical damage).

Although these animal models have demonstrated promise for the use of curcumin for depression, clinical trials (trials involving humans) have not indicated curcumin helps those suffering from depression.

No significant improvement was observed in clinical trials that either tested the anti-depressive effects of curcumin on its own or in combination with antidepressants. [1]

Turmeric Pills for Weight Loss

Turmeric is sometimes advertised as a weight loss supplement, but there is no clinical evidence to support this claim. It may support weight management as part of a healthy lifestyle and it has been shown to prevent weight gain in a limited number of studies.

Advocates claim that turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties help mitigate the inflammation associated with obesity and boost metabolism. Although turmeric has been observed to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, there are no studies available to illustrate its effect on obese or overweight individuals.

This supplement may help to control blood sugar levels and inhibit some of the hormonal pathways by which fat is stored in the body. However, turmeric tablets should not be thought of as diet pills that will work independently of exercise and diet.

Turmeric Pills for Skin Conditions

Turmeric pills are sometimes used for skin conditions, such as boils and acne. These skin disorders are characterized by infection within the epidermis (skin).

Turmeric and curcumin exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties.

People often take turmeric orally in the hopes of reducing inflammation and treating infection. Pills are taken orally for cystic acne, furuncles, carbuncles, pilonidal cysts and hidradenitis suppurativa (a skin condition characterized by lumps under the skin).

Bulk organic turmeric powder sometimes used to make a paste to apply directly to the affected skin area (particularly in the case of boils). 450 mg pills have also been taken orally for boils.

Traditionally, water is added to turmeric powder to produce a poultice or paste that is applied directly to the skin. In traditional medicine practice this is used to treat psoriasis. One teaspoon of powder and a little water has been applied to the skin three times a day for psoriasis.

The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-bacteria properties of turmeric are used to support skin health through both topical application and internal consumption.

How Safe are Turmeric Pills?

Turmeric supplements are generally well tolerated. Natural Medicine’s therapeutic database rates turmeric as “Likely Safe” when taken orally and appropriately. Both turmeric and curcumin have been safely used in clinical studies. The most common side effects of turmeric pills include stomach upset, constipation, diarrhea and/or nausea.

This supplement may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking turmeric products.

Conclusions

Turmeric and curcumin exhibit a number of properties that may provide therapeutic effect, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

The German Commission E, the organization charged with approving the prescription of herbals in Germany, has approved the use of turmeric for digestive upset. Further research is underway to understand the full effect of turmeric pills on the human body.

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