What is turmeric rhizome extract?
Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family, is grown commercially in Southeast Asia and India. Its rhizome (underground stem) has been used for culinary and cosmetic purposes, among others. Curcumin, a major component of turmeric, gives the spice its yellow color. This root is often referred as the Indian saffron and is originated in Southeast Asia. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric and has been found to have preventive health advantages. Turmeric helps with muscles soreness, exercise induced inflammation, and also enhances performance and recovery in active inpiduals.When choosing supplements for exercise, curcumin has the edge in research over turmeric – but only if it’s absorbed in the gut. It’s therefore important to choose evidence-based and well-researched formulas shown to absorb well.This explains how piperine can help to make curcumin more bioavailable. With just 1/20 teaspoon or more of black pepper, the bioavailability of turmeric is greatly improved, and turmeric’s benefits are further enhanced.Only about 3% of the weight of turmeric powder is curcumin and curcuminoid compounds — which are believed to be important to turmeric’s effects. In turmeric extracts, the concentration of these is often increased to as high as 95%.
What are the benefits of turmeric extract?
One 2020 study found Curcuma to be associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Research has started to show connections between some of these properties and actual health benefits in people. It is sometimes called the ‘golden spice’. Turmeric is a major source of the polyphenol curcumin which known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which has led to some studies suggesting that it may reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease.The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric comes from the compound curcumin. However, the turmeric in your spice rack only has around 5% curcumin. So while cooking with that at every meal may make your food taste great, it’s unlikely to provide additional health benefits or help improve your arthritis on its own.Long used in Ayurvedic medicine to control inflammation and pain and for upper respiratory infections, turmeric contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant affects. The best-known and most-studied is curcumin.Experts say to stick with curcumin supplements, preferably the high-quality extracts used in clinical trials, which contain up to 95% curcumin. Look for brands using black pepper (piperine), phospholipids (Meriva, BCM-95) antioxidants (CurcuWIN) or nanoparticles (Theracurmin) for better bioavailability.
Is it safe to take turmeric extract daily?
While the spice itself is generally regarded as safe, turmeric supplements can cause liver damage if taken at high dosages. The World Health Organization recommends a daily turmeric dose of no greater than approximately 200 mg daily for a 150-pound individual or 270 mg daily for a 200-pound individual. Turmeric is a whole spice that provides a broad spectrum of natural compounds that work together for general wellness and culinary uses. Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, can be taken as a concentrated supplement to address health concerns such as joint pain and heart health.The turmeric you find in the spice aisle in the grocery store is the plant’s rhizomes, dried and ground into a powder, but you can substitute fresh turmeric into most any recipe.People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver or bile duct problems, are undergoing chemotherapy, or who have recently had surgery should not take turmeric or curcumin. Those with other conditions or who are taking other medications should consult a doctor before trying this supplement.Talk with your provider before starting any natural supplements that may interact with medications or have unfavorable side effects. For example, turmeric in large doses can act like a blood thinner, causing bleeding or dangerously enhancing the effects of blood-thinning medications.While the spice itself is generally regarded as safe, turmeric supplements can cause liver damage if taken at high dosages. The World Health Organization recommends a daily turmeric dose of no greater than approximately 200 mg daily for a 150-pound individual or 270 mg daily for a 200-pound individual.
What is the difference between turmeric and turmeric extract?
Turmeric root that is dried and ground down into a powder is what you’ll find in your spice rack while turmeric extract is more of an elixir that is made by shredding turmeric root and letting it sit in edible solvents. This is used in herbal blends such as wellness teas. With that in mind, incorporating the spice regularly into your meals can safely boost your intake. Combining the spice with black pepper may help increase your body’s ability to absorb turmeric’s beneficial compounds.Research suggests curcumin may help protect your body against chronic inflammation, support your immune system, and aid in heart and liver health. Taking turmeric regularly, especially through diet, can boost absorption and make it an easy, flavorful way to support wellness.Can Help Relax Blood Vessels. Some evidence also shows that turmeric can improve the dilation (or widening) of blood vessels, which helps blood move more easily through your body and contributes to decreased blood pressure. However, its ability to reduce blood vessel stiffness may be limited.Fatty foods, such as eggs and vegetable oils (such as coconut oil or olive oil), are the best to combine with turmeric. This is because they contain a compound called lecithin. Lecithin helps the body absorb turmeric. Another ingredient that helps the body absorb turmeric is black pepper.
What happens to your body when you start taking turmeric?
Most research shows that taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth reduces depression symptoms in people already using an antidepressant. High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking turmeric by mouth seems to lower levels of blood fats called triglycerides. Overall, turmeric’s ability to absorb iron in the gut may benefit people with iron overload conditions, such as hemoglobinopathies or hemolytic anemias (such as sickle cell disease). People with anemia should limit eating turmeric.While some visceral fat is necessary for protecting your organs, too much can increase your risk of chronic disease. Turmeric is packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that, when combined with other lifestyle factors, may help you lose stubborn belly fat.
Is turmeric rhizome the same as turmeric root?
A relative of ginger, turmeric comes from the rhizome (root) of a native Asian plant and has been used in cooking for hundreds of years. Part of the ginger family, turmeric is a rhizome (grows roots horizontally) and grows underground. To transform the root into the powdered-form you find in the spice aisle at your local supermarket, the freshly harvested rhizomes are boiled and then sun-dried for around a week, before being ground into a fine powder.Turmeric is a product of Curcuma longa, a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the ginger family Zingiberaceae, which is native to tropical South Asia. As many as 133 species of Curcuma have been identified worldwide (Table 13.