Fun Facts About Tumeric and Curcumin

Tumeric the "anti" Hero

​By Dr Khong Lamvichit on 27 April 2017

This my friends is when I speak these very words "if you only knew"; however you might already know as I squint my eyelids eagerly awaiting your response, but how much do you REALLY know about the miracles of Tumeric and Curcumin?  Let's get the scoop on the 4-1-1. 

​Tumeric is a spice stemming from the curcuma longa plant and part of the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to tropical South Asia (6).  All across Asia, this "miracle plant" was used for a plethora of health conditions and ailments.  For generations, natives uses this as an anti-inflammatory topical and internally for pain management, gastrointestinal conditions, lowering cholesterol, and a steroid in some cases to treat a variety of health issues (6).  Don't forget, common headaches and "heartburn" were also added to the mix (6).

Tumeric is known as a potent spice normally added to curries and mustard due to its distinct flavor and color.  You might already add this to your morning smoothies you brave soul; however curcumin has been used in western and eastern medicine for ages and is hailed for its health boosting properties.  Let's get you started on the potential powers that be.

"anti" POWERs of Tumeric:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-oxidants
• Anti-arthritic 
• Anti-microbial
• Anti-cancer

"protective" POWER BONUS:

• hepatoprotective
• radioprotective
• digestive activities

The "anti" POWERs of Tumeric:

• Anti-inflammatory

In Pakistan, it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, and as a remedy for gastrointestinal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders (6).  As my former professor Dr. David Seaman would say "Deflame!", just thinking about those crazy eyes staring into my soul keeps anyone awake at night.

• Anti-fungal

​Tests using the agar disc diffusion method for detecting antifungal activity showed that a crude ethanolic extract of turmeric killed all 29 tested clinical strains of dermatophytes. This extract exhibited an inhibition zone range of 6.1–26.0 mm (11).

• Anti-oxidant

Studies indicate that sufficient levels of turmeric may be consumed from curries in vivo to ensure adequate antioxidant protection (7). As an antioxidant, turmeric extracts can scavenge free radicals, increase antioxidant enzymes, and inhibit lipid peroxidation. Turmeric (100 μg/mL) inhibits lipid peroxidation in renal cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury when incubated with cells for 3 hours (9).

• Anti-arthritic 

One study from the Journal Pharm Pharmacology conducted an investigative study suggesting tumeric combined with low doses of Prednisolone may find therapeutic use in arthritis in mice (4). ​Turmeric extract, when given intraperitoneally, was found to be more active than hydrocortisone (16).

• Anti-microbial

Turmeric has strong antimicrobial properties. The growth of histamine-producing bacteria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis) was inhibited by garlic and turmeric extracts at a 5% concentration (10). 

• Anti-cancer

The anticancer activities of turmeric include inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. Ar-turmerone, which is isolated from turmeric, induced apoptosis in human leukemia Molt 4B and HL-60 cells by fragmenting DNA to oligonucleosome-sized fragments, a known step in the process of apoptosis (8).  Turmeric has been reported to exhibit activity against the development of skin cancer (12), breast cancer (13), oral cancer (14), and stomach cancer (15).

​The "protective" POWERs:

• HepatoProtective (Liver stuff)

Diets containing turmeric extract suppressed increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels caused by D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats (19).

• RadioProtective (Radiation stuff)

Turmeric is currently used in the formulation of several sunscreens for bride and grooms in parts of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Several multinational companies haved used tumeric as a base for facial creams.

• Digestive Activities (Gut stuff)

Turmeric mixed with other spices such as coriander, red chili, black pepper, and cumin brought about a pronounced stimulation of bile flow and bile acid secretion (17) (18).

These activities of turmeric include antiinflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, antiarthritic, antibacterial, antitumor, hepatoprotective, radioprotective, and for digestive activities. Phytochemical analysis of turmeric has revealed a large number of compounds, including curcumin, volatile oil, and curcuminoids, which have been found to have potent pharmacological properties (6).  Now go forth and get yourself a heaping bowl of this miraculous spice.
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My e-store is currently under construction, but here are  links to Amazon products to make Life Good:  
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References:
1. Aggarwal, B. B. (2008). Potential Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin, the Anti-inflammatory Agent, Against Neurodegenerative, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Metabolic, Autoimmune and Neoplastic Diseases. Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 40(1). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2637808/.
2. Sahebkar A.  Are curcuminoids effective C-reactive protein-lowering agents in clinical practice? Evidence from a meta-analysis. Phytotherapy Research 2014; 28(5): 633-642.
​3. Banafshe, H. R., Hamidi, G. A., Noureddini, M., Mirhashemi, S. M., Mokhtari, R., & Shoferpour, M. (2014). Effect of curcumin on diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain: Possible involvement of opioid system. European Journal of Pharmacology,723, 202-206. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.11.033
4. Kuncha, M., Naidu, V. G., Sahu, B. D., Gadepalli, S. G., & Sistla, R. (2013). Curcumin potentiates the anti-arthritic effect of prednisolone in Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology,66(1), 133-144. doi:10.1111/jphp.12156
5. Banji, D., Pinnapureddy, J., Banji, O. J., Saidulu, A., & Hayath, M. S. (2011). Synergistic activity of curcumin with methotrexate in ameliorating Freund's Complete Adjuvant induced arthritis with reduced hepatotoxicity in experimental animals. European Journal of Pharmacology,668(1-2), 293-298. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.06.006
6. Benzie, I. F., & Wachtel-Galor, S. (2011). Herbal medicine: biomolecular and clinical aspects(2nd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press.
7. Tilak J. C, Banerjee M, Mohan H, Devasagayam T. P. Antioxidant availability of turmeric in relation to its medicinal and culinary uses. Phytother Res. 2004;18:798–804.
8. Aratanechemuge Y, Komiya T, Moteki H, Katsuzaki H, Imai K, Hibasami H. Selective induction of apoptosis by ar-turmerone isolated from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in two human leukemia cell lines, but not in human stomach cancer cell line. Int J Mol Med. 2002;9:481–4
9. Cohly H. H, Taylor A, Angel M. F, Salahudeen A. K. Effect of turmeric, turmerin and curcumin on H2O2-induced renal epithelial (LLC-PK1) cell injury. Free Radic Biol Med. 1998;24:49–54.
10. Paramasivam S, Thangaradjou T, Kannan L. Effect of natural preservatives on the growth of histamine-producing bacteria. J Environ Biol. 2007;28:271–4.
11. Wuthi-udomlert M, Grisanapan W, Luanratana O, Caichompoo W. Antifungal activity of Curcuma longa grown in Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2000;31:178–82.
12. Villaseñor I. M, Simon M. K, Villanueva A. M. Comparative potencies of nutraceuticals in chemically induced skin tumor prevention. Nutr Cancer. 2002;44:66–70.
13. Deshpande S. S, Ingle A. D, Maru G. B. Chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin-free aqueous turmeric extract in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis. Cancer Lett. 1998a;123:35–40.
14. Azuine M. A, Bhide S. V. Protective single/combined treatment with betel leaf and turmeric against methyl (acetoxymethyl) nitrosamine-induced hamster oral carcinogenesis. Int J Cancer. 1992a;51:412–5.
15. Azuine M. A, Bhide S. V. Chemopreventive effect of turmeric against stomach and skin tumors induced by chemical carcinogens in Swiss mice. Nutr Cancer. 1992b;17:77–83.
​16. Ghatak N, Basu N. Sodium curcuminate as an effective anti-inflammatoryagent. Indian J Exp Biol. 1972;10:235–6.
17. Platel K, Rao A, Saraswathi G, Srinivasan K. Digestive stimulant action of three Indian spice mixes in experimental rats. Nahrung. 2002;46:394–8.
18. Mukerji B, Zaidi S. H, Singh G. B. Spice and gastric function: Part I-effect of Curcuma longa in the gastric secretion in rabbits. Lucknow, India: Central Drug Research Institute. J Sci Indstr Res. 1961;20C:25–8.
19. Miyakoshi M, Yamaguchi Y, Takagaki R. et al. Hepatoprotective effect of sesquiterpenes in turmeric. Biofactors. 2004;21:167–70. 

Dr Khong Lamvichit

For a number of years, Dr. Khong Lamvichit has been establishing himself as a leading movement doctor in physical therapy, writer, presenter, sports injury doctor and Chiropractic sports physician in Chicago, IL. Currently owner and president of Midwest Sport and Spine Inc.  at River North in Chicago, IL. 

In addition to extensive fitness experience, having trained under reputable sports doctors in his field, Dr. Khong has been a long time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, and Muay Thai practitioner, most recently training independently in gymnastics, yoga, capoeira, and the Ido Portal method. 
​
​​​Dr. Khong also works professionally as a presenter and consultant for crossfit and powerlifting gyms throughout the Chicago Land area.  Dr. Khong is originally from St. Petersburg, Florida and is a graduate of the Florida Gulf Coast University and National University of Health Sciences.  Dr. Khong Lamvichit is a nationally board certified Chiropractic physician in Chicago, Illinois.