New research may bolster the use of turmeric, the yellow spice in curry, to fight inflammation.
The presumed active ingredient, curcumin, has shown remarkable activity in tissue culture studies suggesting it could be beneficial against arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, wounds and many other conditions. The trouble is that it is difficult to achieve comparable results in clinical trials because curcumin is not absorbed well from the digestive tract.
Maximizing Absorption
Now scientists at Ohio State have found a way to overcome that obstacle. They formulated curcumin in a nano-emulsion with castor oil and polyethylene glycol, the compound in the laxative MiraLax.
When mice were given this special curcumin by mouth, the compound got into the blood stream and shut down inflammation. The scientists found that the treated mice had much lower levels of NF-κB, a pro-inflammatory protein, and less activation of macrophages. These immune system cells are important in fighting infection, but they can also contribute to excess inflammation.
The investigators think that the nano-emulsified curcumin could eventually prove useful against Crohn’s disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and cardiovascular disease.
Other investigators are also hopeful that nano-emulsified curcumin will be able to counteract the systemic inflammation caused by sepsis.
[Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, Nov. 2014]
This ancient Ayurvedic therapy may end up being a big hit in the 21st century. If you would like a few recipes to help you cook with turmeric-traditional Indian cooking methods boost absorption, though not as much as nano-emulsification-you may wish to consult our book, Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.
