The worlds most important herbal extract.

But please see your medical consultant before you start using this.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a member of the Curcuma botanical group, which is part of the ginger family of herbs, the Zingiberaceae. The root and rhizome (underground stem) of the Curcuma longa L. plant is crushed and powdered into ground Turmeric. Ground Turmeric is used worldwide as a seasoning as the main ingredient in curry, and is the source of Curcumin.

What is Curcumin?  Curcumin is the main biologically active phytochemical compound of Turmeric. It is extracted, concentrated, standardized and researched for its renowned range of disease-preventing medicinal properties.

What are researched and studied pharmacological properties and actions of Curcumin? "Six hundred and eighty-eight studies, more than 400 of them published within the last four years, confirm Curcumin's remarkable anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Within the last year,interest in Curcumin's potential as a   neuroprotective agent have been rising."  Antiinflammatory AntiCancer (Anticarcinogenic) Prostate Cancer Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer Colon cancer, Rectal cancer Skin cancer, Melanoma Antiphlogistic Anti-Diabetes  Antihypertensive,High-Blood Pressure Antihepatotoxic Action  Antimutagenic Action Anti-Excessive Fluid (Antiedemic)   Antihyperlipemic, Hypolipidemic Antithrombotic Activity Anti  Psoriasis Protects Against Kidney Injury Anticoagulant - Prevents blood clotting Prevention of Memory Loss   Chemoprotective Agent Neutralizing of Free Radicals Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Ulcerative Colitis ProtectionDiabetic Retinopathy Antiangiogenic Increases HDL (Good) Cholesterol levels Choleretic Hepatoprotective action Antimicrobial Anti-tumor, Suppresses Tumor Growth Antiviral, AntiparasiticDepurative, Promotes excretion and removal of waste material Anti Cystic Fibrosis  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Anti-HIV, Inhibits Interleukin-1  Cardiovascular protection and heart disease prevention Anti-amyloidogenic prevention of Alzheimer's disease Antihypercholesterolemic, Helps prevent oxidation of blood cholesterol Helps protect against or lessen the degree of kidney lesions Antioxidant, protects against free radical damage Angiogenesis, the  generation of new blood vessels. Prevention of degenerative bone loss (Osteoporosis) Prevention of joint stiffness (Arthritis) Cholagogue, Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels Carminative, Increases digestive fluids and reduce gas  "Medical researchers are becoming increasingly convinced that the most primitive part of the immune system (inflammation), may play a crucial role in some of the most devastating afflictions of modern humans, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and possibly Alzheimer's."

The suggested serving size is one (1) to four (4) capsules daily with meals, potentially offsetting the inflammatory response process that occurs during ingestion and digestion. There is  absolutely no filler or claimed "enhancing" material to fill the capsule up and lower the Curcumin percentage."The use of the chemical piperine from pepper, trade-named Bioperine, was a poor attempt at increasing  bioavailability at the expense of the epithelial lining of the stomach,  small intestine and bowels...

Are there any side effects or interactions? Turmeric has been used in large quantities as a condiment for thousands of  years with no adverse reactions. Studies have shown that  "Curcumin is not toxic to humans up to 8,000 mg/day." and "Curcumin, even in large quantities, does not produce any known side effects in humans." The FDA classifies Turmeric as GRAS (General Recognition And Safety). Pregnant women and individuals with gallstones or bleeding disorders should speak with a health care provider before using herbs or dietary supplements in amounts greater than usually found in foods.

Why does Curcumin and Turmeric provide health benefits?   Certain plants manufacture chemicals that repel their insect enemies. Over time, plants with higher levels of chemicals that deter attackers become more successful because of their protection. In nature's never-ending interactions between predators and prey, insects eventually learn to digest most plant toxins, so plants are constantly evolving new chemicals to deter their hungry six-legged enemies. Monitoring these war games  between plants and insects represents an important field of ecological research. Scientists have discovered that many chemicals manufactured in lants and roots not only prevent insect attack but also cure ailments and provide health benefits. Many cultures create their own botanical pharmacies as the lore of medicinal plants and remedies is handed down through generations of healers. Ethnobotany is the study of local uses of plants.  With the advent of sophisticated laboratory testing, biologists are finding that the many indigenous plants and roots from around the world provide excellent medicinal value.

Why hasn't the pharmaceutical industry patented Curcumin?

The global pharmaceutical corporations are very interested in owning patents for Curcumin and Turmeric because of the much heralded scientific evidence and the long history of its healing properties. However, that same evidence and history of Turmeric and Curcumin being used medicinally for centuries was the reason the United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected and revoked the patenting rights (Patent No. 5401504) of Turmeric on the grounds that the claims were not new: "USPTO unequivocally rejected all six claims made on August 13, 2001 ruling that Turmeric's medicinal properties were not patentable." As Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston explains: "in the case of Curcumin, a natural compound, no company can reap the benefits if  Turmeric shows itself to be an effective anti-cancer drug..." This is unfortunate for pharmaceutical manufacturers who pass promotional and advertising fees to their customers, but good news if you're an educated consumer who doesn't want to pay $20.00 per prescribed pill. Other companies such as "Protandim", "Curamin" and "Juvenon" sell a "patented formula" which contains an undisclosed amount of Turmeric and can cost more than $2.00 per pill. How does Curcumin work against cancer? Independent research studies on the anti-cancer properties of turmeric suggests that Curcumin has the potential for treatment of five top cancers in the U.S. -- colon, breast, prostate, lung and skin. Numerous mechanisms have been described for the anticancer activity of Curcumin. Inhibition of proliferation of tumor cells, induction of apoptosis (a mode of cell death), inhibition of transformation of cells from normal to tumor, inhibition of invasion and metastasis and suppression of inflammation have been linked with the anticancer activity of Curcumin. Down-regulation of COX2, 5-LOX, adhesion molecules, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factor receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transcription factors by Curcumin have been linked to its antitumor activity. How does Curcumin work against arthritis?  Arthritis is also a proinflammatory disease. All current drugs approved for arthritis have anti-inflammatory activity. Anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) therapy has been approved for this disease. Curcumin has been      shown to both suppress the TNF production, block the action of TNF, and have activity against arthritis. How does Curcumin work against Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowl disease)?      Crohn’s disease is also a pro-inflammatory disease. All current drugs approved for this disease have anti-inflammatory activity. Anti-TNF therapy has been approved for this disease. Curcumin has been shown to both suppress the TNF production and the TNF action. Curcumin taken orally has been shown to have activity against Crohn’s disease. How does Curcumin accelerate wound-healing? There is numerous experimental data that suggest that Curcumin can   accelerate wound healing. This has led Johnson & Johnson to supply a Curcumin-containing Band-Aid.

How does Curcumin work against psoriasis? Psoriasis is another proinflammatory disease. Considerable evidence, both in animals and humans, indicates that Curcumin is quite effective against psoriasis.

How does Curcumin work against Alzheimer's disease? Researchers found that Curcumin -- a chemical found in curry and turmeric -- may help the immune system clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques found in Alzheimer's disease. Because Alzheimer's disease is caused in part by amyloid-induced inflammation, Curcumin has been shown to  be effective against Alzheimer's. Clinical trials are in progress at UCLA with Curcumin for Alzheimer's.

Curcumin protects the brain cells in every animal model of traumatic brain injury, whether it's stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, or mad cow disease," says Gregory Cole, associate director of the Alzheimer's Disease Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. "What's unique about Curcumin," Cole notes, "is that it binds directly to beta-amyloid deposits in the brain and reduces their size." Beta-amyloid is a  protein fragment that builds up between brain cells of people with Alzheimer's disease .

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