Curcumin has become the new darling of the supplement world. Study after study is revealing amazing health properties of curcumin, now including pain relief and a longer life.
First, what is curcumin. It’s a compound found in the spice turmeric that gives food a yellow color and it is a known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Beyond that, and its good taste, curcumin is also an anti-tumor agent. So yeah, its potent stuff.
The medical journal Phytotherapy Research published a study in 2012 by researchers in India and Texas that showed curcumin is more effective than diclofenac. Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) drug prescribed for mild, active rheumatoid arthritis.
In the study, participants took either curcumin or diclofenac for eight week. 44% of those taking curcumin reported a reduction in pain symptoms while 42% of those on diclofenac reported the same. Two percent may not seem like a huge difference, but in comparing a natural plant compound to a pharmaceutical drug, those results are significant.
Beyond the reduction of pain symptoms, the group taking curcumin showed improvements in total overall inflammation, a sign that the rheumatoid arthritis had improved. Best news of all, the curcumin group reported no adverse side effects.
Next up, proof that curcumin can give you longer life. Seriously! One study showed low dose curcumin extended the average life span of roundworms by 39%. In another study on fruit flies, their average life span increased from 64 days to 80. Time to get on that curcumin!
In all seriousness, adding curcumin to your daily routine is a good idea. Luckily it tastes good. Cook with turmeric as often as you can. Add it to your stews and soups, sprinkle on your salads and eggs, and use it to season other savory dishes you enjoy.
Sources:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120416/entlife/704169972/
Biofactors. 2013 Jan 17
