Traditional Therapeutic Uses of Turmeric
Many recent headlines about turmeric highlight its effects on inflammation and cancer. However, in India and other South Asian countries, turmeric has a long history of being used for various traditional remedies. In Nepal, powdered turmeric root is applied to bruises, wounds, swollen joints, and sprains. Indian folk medicine recommends turmeric for respiratory and liver health and to stimulate appetite. The benefits of turmeric are largely due to a powerful class of antioxidants called curcuminoids, collectively known as curcumin, which is unique to turmeric.
Effects of Turmeric on the Gut & Digestive System
When thinking about gut health, probiotic supplements or fermented foods might come to mind. While those are beneficial, there are many ways to promote gut health, and consuming turmeric is one of them. The clinically established benefits of turmeric extend throughout the body, with specific actions that support gut and digestive health.
Turmeric & the Intestines
Curcumin aids digestion by relaxing the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, helping to move digested food through the intestines. It also helps reduce gas and bloating.
Turmeric & the Colon
A healthy, balanced colon is crucial for gut health, digestive comfort, and the growth of beneficial bacteria. Curcumin helps maintain this balance between the microbiota and the immune response in the colon. It encourages the regeneration and healing of colonic crypts—glands on the inner surface of the colon. This can be particularly beneficial in cases of leaky gut or overgrowth of harmful organisms.
Curcumin also suppresses EGR-1, a protein that may allow damaged DNA to be coded. Essentially, curcumin acts as a quality control agent, ensuring that cells replicate proteins correctly. Additionally, curcumin promotes apoptosis, the body’s natural method of recycling old, worn-out cells.
Turmeric & the Stomach
Turmeric offers a multi-faceted approach to protecting the stomach lining. It inhibits enzymes that can compromise stomach health and boosts the secretion of stomach mucus, which is the primary defense against damage from gastric acid and other irritants. Curcumin also disrupts the growth of harmful organisms and helps eradicate them from the body while aiding in the repair of the stomach lining.
Turmeric & the Liver
In the liver, turmeric helps increase cholesterol elimination by boosting bile production. There are several ways to encourage normal cholesterol levels, and consuming foods that help your body use its cholesterol stores is one of them. Combining regular turmeric consumption with fiber-rich meals can more effectively cleanse your system of cholesterol by trapping it and ushering it to the colon for elimination.
Curcumin also protects liver cells from damage caused by toxins such as peroxide, galactosamine, tobacco smoke, and household chemicals.
Turmeric, Digestive Wellness, & Gut Health
Turmeric’s therapeutic value makes it a natural choice for supporting gut and digestive health. There’s ample scientific evidence supporting the link between a healthy gut, a robust microbiome, and overall well-being. This connection inspired us to combine our best gut health supplements into one comprehensive kit—the Gut Health Kit. It’s your ticket to complete gut health in just 30 days. The Gut Health Kit will cleanse, balance, and support your gut, and strengthen your microbiota. Optionally, you can add Global Healing’s Liquid Turmeric Extract to the kit for an extra digestive-health boost.
