What is Curcumin?

What is Curcumin? It  is a valuable substance found in turmeric. It is the source of the popular spice’s yellow bright color and offers a host of health benefits. From preventing diabetes to treating cuts and burns, curcumin has risen to the top of the world’s healthiest food list. This substance has so many health advantages that some manufacturers have begun making curcumin supplements for mass distribution.

Health Benefits of Curcumin

In recent years, the benefits of curcumin on health have become the subject of medical research. It has so many positive effects on the body that supplements are now sold in stores. Curcumin has very high antioxidant content and has been used to treat patients suffering from liver, heart and skin diseases. The antioxidants are also anti-inflammatory, which makes curcumin a must-have for diabetics.

Some studies claim that curcumin is good for brain health. It is one of the few substances that help in neuron creation in the brain. Neuron creation is important because it improves mental activity and prevents degenerative conditions associated with aging. Another unique benefit of curcumin is its role as a natural anti-depressant. Studies conducted show that curcumin can be as beneficial to depressed patients as Prozac.

What is Curcumin Used for?

Turmeric is the main food source of curcumin. When sourced from turmeric, curcumin can be used for cooking and seasoning a lot of foods. Turmeric is often added to rice to give it a yellow color and a little flavor. It is also popularly used in soups and sauces.

Because you need a significant amount of curcumin to see its results, try incorporating more of it in your diet. In addition to rice, soups and sauces, try adding turmeric to beverages like tea and smoothies. Sprinkle it on veggie salads and even on scrambled eggs in the morning.

How Much Curcumin Do You Need a Day?

Turmeric, and therefore curcumin, is extracted from the raw plant. To get an adequate dose of this nutrient, dry and crush raw turmeric root in a mortar and pestle. When taken this way, the recommended dosage is 1-3 grams a day. If you prefer taking curcumin in supplement form, your dosage should be between 400 and 600 grams. Curcumin is also available in liquid drops. If you prefer drops, 30-90 drops are best.

Effects of Too Much Curcumin

Like any dietary supplement, curcumin should be taken in moderation and within the recommended dosage. You should also speak to your doctor about the specific amount you need to prevent overdosing. Ingesting too much curcumin can actually irritate your stomach. There have also been reports of people experiencing nausea, diarrhea, stomach ulcers and sometimes dehydration.

Another word of caution is to take curcumin with ground black pepper or peppercorns. The average person’s body finds processing curcumin challenging. Therefore, ingesting a few peppercorns with your supplements can help curcumin to get absorbed in the system.

Curcumin is yet another substance that is widely available but only few people know about. Getting a dose of this healthy nutrient is as easy as seasoning food with turmeric. Speak to your doctor about supplements before starting a regimen.