Get to Know the Many Benefits of Curcumin

We’ve all heard of those miracle compounds that claim to help all aspects of health, and some of them we may have been skeptical of. But, have you heard of curcumin?

It’s a magical compound that will undoubtedly convince you at least one miracle compound exists!  So, what exactly is curcumin? It is a naturally occurring antioxidant known as a polyphenol and the main compound found in turmeric root, a popular spice. Curcumin has been touted throughout history for its many medicinal properties, and continues to find itself at the center of many studies today.

Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a member of the ginger family of plants. It is commonly found in India and other Southeast Asian countries. The dried roots are ground into a yellow powder, which is where our powerful friend curcumin can be found. 

For ages, the potent compound has been leaned on as a “cure-all”. It has been revered for thousands of years in traditional medicines- most notably in India. As a result, over 80% of the world’s curcumin is produced there. They swear by it, and for good reason! 

Although curcumin can have system-wide effects, it’s all due to its effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory. Elevated levels of inflammation and stress negatively affect all processes in the body.  Let’s take a look at what kind of inflammation it reduces and what effects it can have as a result.

1. Chronic Inflammation

When we think of inflammation, we often think of external and obvious indicators such as swelling, redness and bruising.  While these are often tied to acute inflammation, chronic inflammation symptoms are often much more insidious.

Typically, there is no sharp pain, swelling or redness directly tied to a specific area of the body.  Chronic inflammation plagues millions annually.

While inflammation results from either an infection or an injury, it can also be triggered from other social, psychological, environmental and biological stressors.  In these cases, instead of targeting and healing a specific problem before returning back to normal, the inflammation will persist over time.

Too much of anything is never beneficial. The constant release of inflammatory chemicals will affect various systems throughout the body. In some cases, chronic inflammation can be linked to a number of diseases.* 

Luckily, curcumin has proved its ability to reduce chronic inflammation, as once believed. Over 12 weeks of treatment with curcumin, one study found a significant reduction in inflammatory and stress markers amongst patients suffering from chronic inflammation induced by kidney disease[1].*

2. Arthritic Inflammation

The mounting evidence supporting curcumin’s effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory powerhouse grows by the day. As a result, more targeted studies have been designed to learn more about its potential in specific situations.

Osteoarthritis, for example, is inflammation in our joints. It’s a type of chronic inflammation, but can curcumin still be effective here? 

One systematic review of 8 studies looked at curcumin’s ability to alleviate inflammation associated with patients who have arthritis. The review found that the multiple studies provided ample scientific evidence that indicates curcumin’s effectiveness as an arthritic aid [2].* 

Moreover, one study investigated specific inflammatory responses within tumor cells. It found curcumin to be more effective at inflammation reduction than popular over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [3].*

3. Post-Exercise Muscular Inflammation

Muscle breakdown during exercise results in a natural inflammatory response by the body. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but sustained inflammation certainly is.

And as we know, pain can certainly inhibit performance. Can curcumin effectively reduce temporary muscle pain and damage associated with inflammation?

You guessed it, yes!  Eleven studies that examined curcumin’s effects on muscle were compiled and reviewed. Not surprisingly, the results were in full support of our friend curcumin.  The studies determined curcumin reduced pain intensity, damage, and increased performance among the athletes studied by modulating specific proteins called cytokines that induce inflammation [4].*

4. Cardiovascular Inflammation

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death amongst Americans. As a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, curcumin can have remarkably positive effects on the heart.

As briefly mentioned, cytokines are small proteins that induce inflammatory responses. They are in charge of letting the immune system know there is a problem to be handled, and the immune response is inflammation.

Again, not typically a bad thing – but it can get out of control.  By controlling these cytokines, curcumin can help reduce inflammation inside the heart, around the heart, and even within arteries. As a result, curcumin has been found to effectively help the body’s natural process in reducing plaque size along arterial walls and even stop their expansion [5].*

Long Term Benefits and Effects of Curcumin

The stress and inflammation endured by our bodies over a lifetime is hardly imaginable. If left unaddressed, it can lead to a series of unfortunate events.

Autoimmune disorders can develop and cause your own body to attack healthy organs or tissues. In turn, your risk for diseases like heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and more will increase. 

Consistently maintaining minimal levels of those pesky cytokines is key to keeping inflammation and stress at bay. Curcumin is your new best friend in this department, and luckily- we’ve got the gold standard.

Thanks to the power of our liposomal technology, Liposomal Curcumin from Manna absorbs 10 times better than your standard supermarket supplements. More absorption means you feel more of the awesome anti-inflammatory benefits in your body!

The Power of Curcumin

The powerful natural compound called curcumin is a plant extract known as a polyphenol, which is found in turmeric and is the main driver of all its health benefits. When isolated, it can be used as a potent anti-inflammatory and system-wide stress reducer.

How? It manages specific proteins in the body responsible for our body’s inflammatory response. By keeping these proteins at healthy levels, curcumin can provide a lifetime of reduced stress and inflammation, giving you the best chance at combating lifestyle and age-related problems and feeling your best.