Learn how to take the right dosage of turmeric for your body
Tuesday, March 08, 2016 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer
(NaturalNews) You've probably already heard about some of the amazing
health benefits of turmeric,
and seen the proliferation of turmeric-containing products at health
food stores and websites. But to get the health benefits of this
remarkable root, you need to be sure you are taking the right dose, in
the right way.
Turmeric, a root that is ground up into the spice
that gives curry powder its characteristic yellow color, has a long
history of use as an herbal medicine. It can help prevent heart attack
and stroke by lowering blood pressure, thinning the blood and preventing
clotting, and lowering levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol while boosting
levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. It also lowers blood sugar and
functions as an anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial. It can
be used to treat jaundice and as a poultice for skin conditions and
wounds.
Recently, scientists have begun examining the properties
of a group of chemicals known as curcuminoids (or simply "curcumin"),
which are believed to be responsible for many of
turmeric's health properties.
Studies have shown that curcumin benefits not only your heart but also
your immune system. It also boosts cognitive capacity and can prevent or
perhaps even reverse cancer.
Take it right to get the benefits!
According to the health
website Healthy Holistic Living, a good daily health maintenance dose
for adults is up to 1.5 grams, which is about the same as a slightly
rounded teaspoon. This can also be split up and taken in two to three
smaller doses throughout the day.
For treating specific
health
conditions, the "therapeutic" adult dose is 2–3 grams. Therapeutic
doses should not be used in children under two. Children over two and
adults over 65 should start with a dose on the lower end.
The
effectiveness of turmeric can be boosted as much as 2,000 percent by mixing it with a little black pepper (perhaps
1/
8 teaspoon).
Critically,
curcumin is fat-soluble, so turmeric should always be consumed along
with some form of fat to aid in absorption. It can simply be mixed with
two teaspoons of oil and eaten or mixed into food such as yogurt. It can
also be mixed into a fat-containing beverage such as milk. If taken on
an empty stomach, it can cause some nausea.
Curcumin capsules are also available, but it is unlikely that the full benefits of
turmeric can be obtained from consuming any one chemical in isolation, however potent that chemical might be in the laboratory.
Remember
that spices sold in the grocery store are typically irradiated, and
were grown with toxic chemicals. For medicinal use, be sure to find a
reliable source of organic, non-irradiated turmeric.
Be aware of risks
It is important to follow certain safety
practices if taking turmeric or any natural medicine at a therapeutic
dose. First of all, remember that therapeutic doses are intended for
short-term use only. Consult a health practitioner such as an herbalist,
Ayurvedic practitioner or traditional Chinese medicine provider for
guidance.
At the therapeutic dose, turmeric should not be mixed
with certain other medications or herbs. Because it has many of the same
effects, therapeutic-dose turmeric should not be taken along with blood
pressure, diabetes, cholesterol or blood thinning pharmaceutical drugs
or herbs, including aspirin. It should not be mixed with moderate or
high doses of garlic or
Gingko biloba, which are also blood thinners. Therapeutic turmeric doses should be halted at least one week prior to any surgery.
Turmeric
can increase bile production, so therapeutic doses should be avoided by
people with gall bladder problems. People with hypoglycemia should also
avoid it. Because therapeutic-dose turmeric can stimulate uterine
contractions, it should be avoided in pregnancy except under the
guidance of a trained health practitioner.
Sources for this article include: Healthy-Holistic-Living.com
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