For more than 2000 years, turmeric has been used by ancient civilizations for medicinal purposes. As part of the ancient Indian medical system, Ayurveda, turmeric was used for dressing wounds and treating bites, burns, and other skin issues. Today, people embrace turmeric for its well-researched anti-inflammatory benefits.
Turmeric and Inflammation
Despite popular belief, the process of inflammation is necessary. When the body detects a foreign invader (pollen, chemicals, etc.), it activates our immune system to fight disease and repair tissue. This process supports our bodily systems and functions, but too much immune activity can cause uncomfortable inflammation and, if left for too long, can cause lasting health issues.
And while holistic lifestyle changes are the best defense against long-term inflammation, turmeric can be a helpful tool to add to your arsenal and incorporate into your daily health regimen. That’s because turmeric does three things to help our bodies have a natural and productive inflammatory response:
- Turmeric helps fight infection and bacteria while strengthening our immune cells
- Turmeric helps prevent inflammation that can cause damage that arises out of our immune system attacking our healthy tissue
- Turmeric helps balance our body’s inflammatory response by redirecting immune cells and preventing damage from inflammation
Here’s the catch: the body has a hard time absorbing turmeric, so experts recommend supplementation. But taking any average turmeric pills won’t do the trick either. It’s not as simple as putting traditional turmeric into a pill format, as that doesn’t solve the absorption problem. Instead, you should look for turmeric supplements that have a targeted turmeric complex and have clinical research attached to ensure you are getting the health benefits you seek!
There’s no question that turmeric has tremendous potential to help promote a healthy inflammatory response and should be part of your daily superfood regimen.