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Turmeric is widely used as a food coloring and gives Indian curry its distinctive flavor and yellow color.



Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for 4,**0 years to treat a variety of ailments. Studies show that turmeric may help treat a number of illnesses, however, it is important to remember several facts when you hear news reports about turmeric's medicinal properties. First, many studies have taken place in test tubes and animals, and the herb may not work as well in humans. Second, some studies have used an injectable form of curcumin (the active substance in turmeric). Finally, some of the studies show conflicting evidence. Nevertheless, turmeric may have promise for fighting infections and some cancers, reducing inflammation, and treating digestive problems.

 

 

Turmeric is widely used as a food coloring and gives Indian curry its distinctive flavor and yellow color. It is also used in mustard and to color butter and cheese. Turmeric has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds. The curcumin in turmeric has been shown to stimulate the production of bile by the gallbladder. Curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant; antioxidants scavenge particles in the body known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause. In addition, curcumin reduces inflammation by lowering levels of two inflammatory enzymes (called COX*2 and LOX) in the body and stops platelets from clumping together to form blood clots.

 

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and may interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

The amounts of turmeric found in foods are considered safe.

Turmeric and curcumin are considered safe when taken at the recommended doses. However, taking large amounts of turmeric for long periods of time may produce stomach upset and, in extreme cases, ulcers. People who have gallstones or obstruction of the bile passages should talk to their doctor before taking turmeric.

If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before taking turmeric supplements. Turmeric may lower blood sugar levels, and when combined with medications for diabetes could cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Although it is safe to eat foods containing turmeric, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take turmeric supplement