It’s really important to think twice about spice!
Let’s explore turmeric.
Advantages:
Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, appears to aid in blocking cancer cell growth and proliferation. It may play a role in preventing or treating colon and pancreatic cancers.
Turmeric, and its main antioxidant curcumin, may be effective in treating many modern-day diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
Less than a teaspoon per day may help prevent some DNA damage caused by smoking.
Uncooked turmeric is helpful in decreasing gassiness.
Should anyone avoid turmeric?
Folks with a history of gallstones or those currently with a gallstone, may experience some discomfort as turmeric actually induces the gallbladder to squeeze.
Folks with a history of kidney stones should limit intake to no more than 1 teaspoon turmeric daily.
In pregnancy turmeric is safe, though not in amounts greater than those found in everyday, common recipes. If pregnant, stay away from turmeric and curcumin supplements.
Suggested Serving Size:
Dr. Greger recommends about ¼ teaspoon fresh or powdered turmeric daily, with an added sprinkle of black pepper to increase the effectiveness of the benefits of curcumin. A serving size of up to 1 teaspoon of turmeric is considered to be low FODMAP.
Two recipes using turmeric are currently featured below!!
Plants or pills? Nutriments or supplements?
I always tell my clients to go for the food source rather than a supplement. Why?
Foods are highly regulated for safety by the FDA while supplements are often given a GRAS (generally recognized as safe under normal conditions of its intended use) rating. The big difference here is that the FDA must sign off on the safety of foodstuffs and food additives, but supplement companies may use GRAS substances, such as fillers, without FDA pre-market approval.
Toxic heavy metals: who need them? Not me, not you! Curcumin supplements have been found to contain heavy metals such as “arsenic, cadmium and lead”.
Some turmeric supplements add too much black pepper boosting curcumin blood levels high enough to actually cause DNA damage rather than repair.
Consuming the whole food is considered to be better than consuming just one component of it. For example, the curcumin in turmeric may be only one of the many substances in the whole food that actively benefits us. A study done by MD Anderson, right here in Texas, found that turmeric was more effective than curcumin alone in aiding with protections against cancers.
We are much more likely to experience an adverse side effect or suffer a detrimental prescription drug interaction when consuming a supplement. Stick with real deal!
Plants, not pills! See recipes featured below.
Sources:
How Not To Die by Dr. Michael Greger
Monash University FODMAP Diet App