What are the real benefits of Turmeric?

Risk factors for joint pain may vary according to each individual. These can be due to age, the practice of intensive physical activity, when the cartilages are very stressed, severe weight gain, inflammation of the tendons or ligaments, osteoarthritis or related arthritis. at menopause. In this way, the supplementation with turmeric or curcumin is recommended because it would reduce inflammation due to arthritis thanks to its virtues anti-inflammatories. In addition, turmeric significantly relieves joint pain, given its analgesic properties. 

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 2 to 6 g of turmeric powder, or about 1 teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 180 mg of curcumin. It is recommended to gradually increase the dose of turmeric and combine it with ginger, a fatty substance such as honey, or to black pepper in order to increase its assimilation.

• As a dietary supplement, it is recommended not to exceed 180 mg of curcumin.

How to use it in cosmetic care?

It is possible to make a poultice directly on the inflamed area using:

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon of honey

Mix the 2 ingredients until you obtain a more or less thick paste to spread on the affected area. Then place gauze or a strip of cotton on the poultice and leave to act for about 15 minutes before cleaning. The active ingredients will penetrate the skin and act against inflammation.

Turmeric seems to be the ideal spice to limit certain gastrointestinal disorders. Indeed, according to the WHO, the use of turmeric is recognized as “clinically justified” in the case of hyperacidity. As for Commission E of the German Ministry of Health, the latter recognizes its use in the treatment of digestive disorders. What you need to know is that curcumin, the active molecule of turmeric, helps to stimulate the production of bile. In this way, bile will have the role of digesting fats and therefore limiting certain gastrointestinal disorders.

In the case of irritable bowel syndrome (SII), the turmeric would be recommended to relieve low-grade inflammation in patients with IBS. In addition, turmeric is also said to act as an analgesic to relieve abdominal pain and discomfort, common symptoms of IBS. 

Finally, the turmeric can be used to reduce bloating due to a very copious or very fatty meal, but also to limit nausea or hyperacidity.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 2 to 6 g of turmeric powder, or about 1 teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 180 mg of curcumin. It is recommended to gradually increase the dose of turmeric and combine it with ginger, a fatty substance or pepper in order to increase its assimilation.

• As a dietary supplement, it is recommended not to exceed 180 mg of curcumin.

• Avoid consuming acidic foods when you have symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), such as: tomatoes, oranges, sodas, alcohol… Opt instead for alkaline foods, such as carrots, green beans , eggplants, fresh apples and bananas, etc.

The accumulation of dental plaque on the teeth and under the gums leads to the development of bacteria which subsequently cause inflammation, which is then called gingivitis. To reduce inflammation of the latter, it is possible to add turmeric to your diet or as a treatment. The latter contains curcumin whose anti-inflammatory benefits have been scientifically proven to prevent plaque or reduce gingivitis.

How to use it as a mouthwash? Prepare your homemade mouthwash to limit plaque and take care of your teeth. For this, we use:

• 1 cup of water

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder

• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil

First, boil 1 cup of water in a saucepan adding 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to it. Let your infusion sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then pass your infusion through a filter because turmeric does not dissolve in water. Then add two drops of peppermint essential oil and your solution will be ready to use. Shake well and then use only 10 ml of your preparation. Gargle to emulsify the peppermint essential oil as it is not soluble in water, then spit it out. The mixture is to be used 1 week per month.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 2 to 6 g of turmeric powder, or about 1 teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 180 mg of curcumin. It is recommended to gradually increase the dose of turmeric and combine it with ginger, a fatty substance or pepper in order to increase its assimilation.

• As a dietary supplement, it is recommended not to exceed 180 mg of curcumin.

Turmeric, in combination with fenugreek and ginger seem to provide benefits for lactating women. Indeed, these three plants have a galactogenic effect, and have significantly increased milk production of breastfeeding women who participated in clinical research. However, the mechanisms have not yet been defined, but the good news is that the composition of milk does not undergo any change. 

Furthermore, the turmeric can be used by pregnant women in the case of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), but also, to relieve or even limit morning sickness from 1^er trimester of pregnancy. Indeed, according to the WHO, the use of turmeric is recognized as “clinically justified” in the case of hyperacidity.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• The use of turmeric must only be food. It is strongly contraindicated to start a turmeric treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• Consume 2 to 5 g of turmeric powder, or about 1 teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 180 mg of curcumin. It is recommended to gradually increase the dose of turmeric and combine it with ginger, a fatty substance or pepper in order to increase its assimilation.

• It is possible to include fennel seeds in your preparations to encourage milk flow.

• Ginger infusions are said to be just as effective in treating pregnancy-related nausea. The WHO recommends infusing 250 mg of dried ginger rhizome, 4 times a day.

Turmeric is a true ally for skin. Indeed, this yellow gold is suitable for all skin types, namely: those affected by eczema, psoriasis, but particularly those with acne. THE turmeric has the particularity of inhibiting the activity of the bacteria responsible for the appearance of acne, to know :  Propionibacterium acnes. Furthermore, curcumin, the active molecule of turmeric, could act on parasites and fungi, in particular Candida albicans which is responsible for certain oral or vaginal infections. By combining it with honey, the turmeric and the latter can accelerate the healing process and promote skin regeneration by acting, topically or by ingestion, on burns, acne scars, scrapes or cuts. In addition, honey, thanks to its phenol content, and curcumin, a strong antioxidant, will together be able to neutralize the free radicals responsible for oxidative stress. The latter is implicated in the premature aging of cells and certain age-related diseases.

Usage tips :

• As a food supplement, itconsume 2 to 6 g of turmeric powder, or approximately 1 teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 180 mg of curcumin. It is recommended to gradually increase the dose of turmeric and combine it with ginger, a fatty substance or pepper in order to increase its assimilation.

• Prepare your golden milk to benefit from the benefits of turmeric and honey: 1 tsp turmeric ; 1 c.à.c honey ; 1 pinch of ginger, 1 pinch of pepper ; 1 pinch of cinnamon ; 1 cup of milk or vegetable drink ; 1 tsp of coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat until simmering. The preparation should be drunk hot or lukewarm, depending on your preferences.

• It is also possible to make a poultice to reduce inflammation of the skin including: 1 tsp of turmeric powder and 1 tsp of honey; mmix the 2 ingredients until you obtain a more or less thick paste spread over the affected area; pdare then apply gauze or a strip of cotton to the poultice and leave to act for about 15 minutes before cleaning. The active ingredients will penetrate the skin and act against inflammation.

The use of turmeric to fight cancer is beginning to prove itself in the field of scientific research. Indeed, it has been proven that turmeric could inhibit certain reactions responsible for the appearance of cancer cells, notably the proteasome. In this context, and thanks to its strong antioxidant properties, curcumin can induce the death of certain tumor cells. Further research is still needed to know the anti-cancer potential of turmeric as well as the recommended dose to obtain the desired effect. It is recommended to seek the advice of your doctor before starting a turmeric treatment.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist:

• Consume 2 to 6 g of turmeric powder, or about 1 teaspoon of powder, which corresponds to 180 mg of curcumin. It is recommended to gradually increase the dose of turmeric and combine it with ginger, a fatty substance or pepper in order to increase its assimilation.

• Do not hesitate to consume seasonal spices, fruits and vegetables which can provide the antioxidants you need, with the aim of helping to neutralize excess free radicals, responsible for the development of certain cancers.

Turmeric has been used as a natural alternative to DEET as a mosquito repellent. DEET is a repellent active ingredient developed by the American army, which is potentially toxic to humans and the environment. Thus, Turmeric could offer a less dangerous alternative to synthetic insect repellents.

Turmeric can potentially be dangerous if certain precautions for use are not followed. First of all, turmeric is strongly not recommended in case of allergies to the active ingredients of this spice. It is also contraindicated in children under 18 years of age., excluding food use.

Turmeric is strongly contraindicated in people with gallstones as this spice contains oxalates. There is therefore an increased risk of developing oxalate stones.

The curcumin contained in turmeric has the power to thin the blood, which could, in theory, benefit people with heart problems. However, in this type of case, the use of turmeric is strongly discouraged, and for several reasons. First, the recommended doses to observe an anticoagulant effect of turmeric, through its prevention of the formation of blood clots, are not clear. In this way, it would be difficult to dose the amount of curcumin that could bring about the desired effect. Furthermore, it is important to remember that a superfood or a spice could in no way replace medicinal treatment.

Taking turmeric or curcumin is contraindicated for individuals with stomach or duodenal ulcers because there is an increased risk of increasing or even worsening irritation.

Turmeric is a treasure trove of benefits. However, no extensive scientific research has been conducted on pregnant or lactating women as it is unethical to conduct studies on these populations.

However, pregnant or breastfeeding women can continue to consume turmeric at the usual doses, whether fresh or powdered. Indeed, according to the European Medicines Agency, in classic food use, turmeric is authorized during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, it is contraindicated to start a turmeric treatment, or take food supplements based on curcumin optimized during pregnancy or the breastfeeding period, but also in cases of gestational diabetes. There is in fact very little data on the side effects or risks for the fetus or baby.

Mmedicines anti coagulants / antiplatelets : Curcumin has been described as having an antiplatelet effect with a strong intensity of interaction with anticoagulant drugs, it can destabilize the level of coagulation, thus potentially causing hemorrhage in individuals taking these drugs.

Mmedicines anti-inflammatories : Given its anti-inflammatory properties on the body, it is not recommended to consume curcumin with anti-inflammatory medications. The latter would have the effect of increasing the effect of the active ingredients and causing undesirable effects, even overdose.

Manti-diabetic medications : It is contraindicated to consume turmeric when a person is under anti-diabetic treatment because curcumin could increase its actions and thus cause a risk of hypoglycemia.

Drugs choleretics and hepatotropes : Curcumin has choleretic properties, that is to say it stimulates the secretion of bile by the liver, and therefore may have a strong interaction with choleretic and hepatotropic drugs.

Anticancer drugs: The combination of curcumin with certain chemotherapies is strongly contraindicated. Turmeric being a strong antioxidant could slow the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments.

Plants with anticoagulant properties: Turmeric could interact with certain plants with anticoagulant properties. It is important to be vigilant, particularly in the case of cardiovascular pathologies, which are: ginseng, ginkgo, ginger, garlic, tonka beans, kava, etc.

Do not hesitate to seek advice from your doctor.

The Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression (DGCCRF) has reported adulteration with certain species of Turmeric. Substitutes have the power to dilute curcumin. In this way, it is very difficult to obtain the expected effects of the latter. In more dangerous cases, it has been observed that turmeric powder is likely to be mixed with less expensive products, such as talc and the cassava flour.

It is important to obtain turmeric from organic farming, without preservatives or flavor enhancers, which has not undergone any genetic modification, but also to ensure its origin.