Healthy lifestyle: why all the buzz around turmeric?

Compiled by STL Sports Page staff

There is a lot of buzz around turmeric. GQ magazine recently published an article titled “Why Is Everyone Suddenly Obsessed With Turmeric?” » EatingWell.com asks “Why is turmeric so good for you?” » We thought it was worth mentioning here as it is a very hot topic in healthcare.

Turmeric is an herb that can be consumed in supplement form, in powder form (it is used in cooking curry dishes), and some consume it directly from the plant. This is the topic of many people trying to improve their health, whether through exercise, diet, or supplements.

Many people think it’s hard to eat healthy, but in reality, it’s as simple as not eating healthy: you just need to plan a little in advance. When you get the things that work best for you, your body starts functioning optimally and you start feeling better.

We have been taking turmeric for some time and have seen favorable results. We shake it over our eggs in the morning, accompanied by pepper. We eat turmeric on eggs with our other supplements and our morning coffee, but don’t listen to us, read on to find out what others are saying.

Even though we talk about it a lot lately, turmeric is not new; it has been used for ages. Healthline.com also says: “Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and a medicinal plant.

So, what exactly is it? In powder form, it is available in the spice section of your favorite grocery store. It is a bright yellow/orange and has a taste but is generally mild. Some people sprinkle it in their cooking to reap the possible health benefits. It is said to digest better in the body when taken with pepper, so if you shake some on your food, the idea is to shake some pepper with it.

WebMD.com Sees the Benefits of Turmeric: “Turmeric is a common spice that comes from the root of Curcuma longa. It contains a chemical called curcumin, which may reduce swelling.

By the way, replacing two hard-boiled eggs with your normal breakfast or lunch can be beneficial for some who are trying to follow a healthy diet.

Johns Hopkins Hospital talks about turmeric on its website: “Mary-Eve Brown, oncology clinical dietitian/nutritionist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, provides information on the health benefits of turmeric: What is turmeric good for? Brown explains that the active ingredient in turmeric is a natural compound (polyphenol) called curcumin, which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

“Curcumin has many biological activities, not all of which are understood,” says Brown. “Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that can protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sun) and protecting cells from damage.'”

Anne Dixon, who has her master’s degree in kinesiology, finds it beneficial. She teaches fitness and yoga classes and thinks it helps her.

“As an active senior kinesiologist and fitness instructor, my daily use of turmeric keeps knee pain at bay,” says Dixon. “I just shake it on my eggs, on meat dishes, vegetables, sandwiches, etc.

“I am not a fan of pills or capsules. I used turmeric and ginger tea, which is also delicious.

The photo on the left shows chicken cooked with turmeric.

According to Healthine.com: “Turmeric – and particularly its most active compound, curcumin – has many scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to improve heart health and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and the cancer. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.

“Many high-quality studies show that turmeric has major benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin,” explains Healthline.com.

Turmeric could possibly help with:

• Inflammation
• Osteoarthritis
• Hay fever
• Indigestion
• Depression
• Itching.
• Muscle pain after exercise

The Arthritis Foundation lists it among “the most popular supplements and herbs used to treat arthritis,” but warns that “although some of these supplements can help treat the symptoms of arthritis, nothing can replace the medications prescribed by a doctor, healthy diet and exercise.”

Should you try turmeric? In what form should you take it? It’s up to you to decide.

“Certain medical conditions require special dietary adjustments,” explains ArchWell Health’the website. “Some examples are type 2 diabetes, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. If you have been diagnosed with such a condition or suffer from digestive problems, it is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor. They can advise you on how to make healthy changes to your diet.

Ultimately, we can choose what we put into our bodies or what we don’t. It is therefore an individual choice whether or not to include supplements such as turmeric. Adapting new habits for a healthy lifestyle can be a good thing, just do your research and consult your doctor.

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Disclaimer: This article was written using sources from medical websites (WebMD.com, Healthline.com, MedicalNewsToday.com, Arthritis.org, Johns Hopkins and personal knowledge of experts. It is in no way intended to be an endorsement from STLSportsPage.com. This is just here to present information that is otherwise available on the Internet. You should always talk to your doctor before trying anything new.

If you do not have a doctor and you are of a certain age, consult ArchWell Health.