Curcumin – the bioactive compound found in turmeric – has been the subject of thousands of studies in recent years due to its potent health benefits.

While some studies date back a couple decades, research is ongoing. Here are five recent studies on curcumin, followed by what is known collectively about that topic.

These are just a few of many studies conducted on curcumin in the past three years.

Inflammation – Disease Driver Extraordinaire?

A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2021 found that curcumin can reduce inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.[1]

Inflammation can be a protective part of your body’s immune system. When the body fights an injury or infection, the inflammatory response helps heal the damaged tissues or fight off the invading pathogens. This inflammation is typically short-lived.

However, chronic inflammation is a persistent and long-term immune response that occurs when you’re exposed to various stressors such as an unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, smoking, pollution, and chronic infections. And yes, even metabolic syndrome.

Chronic inflammation is dangerous because it:

1. Damages tissues. Can damage healthy tissues, leading to joint pain, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.

2. Raises your risk of chronic disease. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

3. Impairs immune function. Chronic inflammation impairs the immune system’s ability to function properly, leaving you vulnerable to infections and other problems.

4. Accelerates aging. Chronic inflammation has been shown to accelerate the aging process, leading to age-related health problems including cognitive decline and frailty.

5. Impairs wound healing, leading to slow healing and increased risk of infection.

To reduce inflammation, avoid trans-fats (see last week’s article, “More Deadly than Sugar, But You Likely Eat It Every Day”), avoid sugar, eat grass-fed beef, fruits and vegetables, exercise, and take curcumin as an inflammation control agent.

Neuro Protection

A study published in the journal Nutrients in 2021 found that curcumin can improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.[2]

Curcumin may help protect the brain via its inflammation controlling and antioxidant benefits.

Perhaps a less well-known benefit, curcumin increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a protein that plays a key role in promoting the growth and survival of neurons.

Low BDNF levels have been linked to depression and other cognitive disorders.

Blood flow is also important to the brain. Curcumin helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to brain cells and thereby supports healthy brain function.

Antioxidant Benefits

A study published in the journal Antioxidants in 2020 found that curcumin has potent antioxidant activity and can protect against oxidative stress.[3]

Antioxidants are compounds found in certain foods that can help guard the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that damage cells and tissues by stealing electrons from other molecules, making them become unstable. Accumulation of free radicals in the body can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, leading to a range of health problems including inflammation, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

Oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body.

Oxidative stress can damage proteins, lipids, and DNA, leading to cellular dysfunction and death. It has been linked to chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage.

In addition, antioxidants help reduce inflammation and cellular damage, promote healthy aging, and boost the immune system.

Anticancer Activity

Curcumin has been widely studied for its anticancer effects. A review article published in the journal Cancers in 2020 concluded that curcumin has anticancer properties and can inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.[4]

Curcumin has been studied extensively for its potential anticancer activity. It affects inflammation levels which is a significant factor in many diseases including cancer.

As an antioxidant, it protects cells from free radical damage, including DNA mutations that can lead to cancer.

Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells in various types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.

What’s more, it helps induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Apoptosis is a natural process that helps rid the body of damaged or abnormal cells.

Another way curcumin restrains cancer is by inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels needed for the growth and spread of cancer, called angiogenesis.

Curcumin may also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy by making cancer cells more sensitive to these treatments.

Gut Health Benefits

A study published in the journal Nutrients in 2020 found that curcumin can improve gut health by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria.[5]

Chronic inflammation in the gut has been linked to many digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thus, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects can aid with these health problems.

As an antioxidant curcumin can help protect the gut from free radical damage.

In addition, curcumin has been shown to modulate the composition of gut microbiota, which are influential in digestion, immune function, and overall health.

Curcumin also helps regulate gut motility, the movement of food through the digestive system.

Finally, curcumin has been shown to protect against intestinal permeability, commonly known as “leaky gut syndrome.” Leaky gut is a condition in which the gut lining becomes damaged, allowing toxins and bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for the studies that have been done on curcumin.

The Big Caveat

The big caveat with curcumin is its infamous absorption problem.

Fortunately, we resolved that problem with our patented Liquid Protein Scaffolding™ technology that delivers results to your cells, fast!

If you have to take a dozen or more capsules a day to feel your curcumin, now might be the time to make the switch to LPS™ curcumin, for results you can feel.

Want More Energy and Less Disease? Pay Heed to This Part of Your Cells

This is just one of the key things learned by the loving dad of a childhood cancer patient while exploring what he could do to facilitate his son’s journey to wellness outside of the hospital setting, outside the oncology group. 

It’s vitally important – especially given the metabolic model of cancer. 

Plus, you’ll learn the three foods you should avoid if you want to enjoy health and wellness… the “healthy food” you should shun… several inexpensive, at-home adjunctive therapies you can start today… and the rest of Logan Duvall’s story and what’s happening with his son today. 

Make this 30-minute investment in your health today. You’ll be glad you did.  

Watch the video on YouTube now . Prefer audio only? Listen on Spotify now . 

Sources:   

[1] Wongcharoen, W., Phrommintikul, A., & Theerawekin, N. (2021). Curcuminoids and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 27(6), 507-521.

[2] Liu, R., Chen, C., & Liu, J. (2021). Curcumin improves cognitive function of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 13(3), 902. 

[3] Asbaghi, O., Fouladvand, F., & Aliakbari, F. (2020). A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacological Properties of Curcumin. Antioxidants, 9(8), 720. 

[4] Bai, M., & Yang, L. (2020) LncRNA SNHG16 contributes to cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in osteosarcoma by sponging miR-98 to regulate the expression of HMGA2. Cancers, 12(2), 407.

[5] Jang, S.E., Jeong, J.J., Hyam, S.R., Han, M.J., & Kim, D.H. (2020). Curcuminoids purified from turmeric attenuate inflammatory signaling in macrophages and modulate gut microbial profile. Nutrients, 12(4), 962.