This week, we are looking at another spice agent, which has huge health benefits: Turmeric. So what is turmeric? It is a deep, golden-orange spice known for adding color, flavor and nutrition to foods. This spice is native from Asia that comes from the root of the rhizome plant, it is also a relative of ginger.  This spice has been used in cooking for hundreds of years and also is used for traditional medicinal purposes in countries such as China and India. Most notably an ingredient in curry,

Now, I opened with the huge health benefits of taking a supplement or adding it to you dishes from research some of the health benefits are, but not limited to, helping combat:

• Inflammation
• Degenerative eye conditions
• Metabolic syndrome
• Arthritis
• Hyperlipidemia (cholesterol in the blood)
• Anxiety/Depression
• Muscle soreness after exercise
• Kidney health
• Viral Infections
• PMS
• Alzheimer’s disease

Overall, turmeric is safe for most people and enjoyed in tea or food, if you are allergic to the spice, eating it may cause a rash, hives or abdominal pain. In addition, if you take it in supplement form, be careful especially if your family has a history of kidney stones, the high potency can increase the likelihood of kidney stones.

The other downside of turmeric supplements is the negative drug interactions, so be careful ingesting it if you take

• Pain relievers – aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Chemotherapy – camptothecin, mechlorethamine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide
• Blood thinners
• Immunosuppressive drugs

However, like the Cayenne supplement post, Turmeric may not be for you, you just may want to add it to your meals, however as always think before you start something new and if you have any questions or concerns, you can always message me at Get In Touch.