Benefits and Science of Turmeric

Turmeric, originating from India, is a finger-shaped rhizome, or underground stem, related to the ginger family. You may recognize it as the stunning, golden spice with a zingy flavor, the herb has been revered by chefs, scientists, and medical professionals alike. Turmeric has been used for millennia in traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, due to its numerous health benefits, and has been confirmed by modern science as an effective, safe, and therapeutic herbal ingredient.

The herb is also famous for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, making it a favorite ingredient for many health-promoting remedies. Of all turmerics nutrients, three of its bioactive compounds called curcuminoids are powerful antioxidants that help support a healthy response to inflammation – which helps to make discomfort more manageable.

Turmeric Health Benefits

When and why did turmeric become one of the most celebrated and beneficial herbs for health and wellness in our world today? This is everything you need to know about turmeric and its powerful healing properties.

Turmeric vs. curcumin

As mentioned, turmeric (or Curcuma longa) is the underground stem of the flowering plant found in Asia and Central America, and within that root are naturally occurring compounds called curcuminoids. There are three main curcuminoids in turmeric, generally referred to as “curcumin.”

With that said, many healthcare professionals also believe that utilizing the whole turmeric root, inclusive of all the root’s curcuminoids, can offer powerful healing capabilities.

Andrew Weil, M.D., one of the pioneers of holistic and herbal medicine, said, “My preference is for whole turmeric extracts,” because he believes the components of the whole turmeric root may offer unique, synergistic benefits.

Maximizing the benefits of turmeric

You’ve probably been seeing turmeric frequently – being added to juices, smoothies, recipes, and more than ever, to supplements; and for a good reason. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory with a wealth of other science-backed health benefits.

But now that science, medical doctors, and the general population are catching on to what Ayurvedic practitioners have known for thousands of years, it’s important to understand one critical thing about maximizing the health benefits of turmeric: the bioavailability of turmeric’s most powerful compound, curcumin, is extremely low when taken alone.

Bioavailability: the degree to which and speed with which a substance enters circulation and is able to take effect

What exactly does this mean? On its own, curcumin is poorly absorbed in our bodies, which can result in minimal impact on our blood levels. So, without intentionally increasing absorption, curcumin’s health benefits are significantly lowered.

The good news is that there are proven ways to increase curcumin’s bioavailability. The addition of piperine, a compound in black pepper, has been shown in clinical studies to improve the absorption of turmeric by up to 2,000%.

Why we use turmeric | healthy, beyond relief

To provide the benefits of all the curcuminoids in turmeric, we’ve included 500 mg of the whole rhizome in a daily dose of our Pain Relief & Recovery formula. Curcumin is undoubtedly a key contributor to turmeric’s health benefits, so we included an additional 750 mg of curcumin in every dose. We didn’t forget about bioavailability, either. Each dose includes 3 mg of black pepper and the formula is set in an MCT oil, helping to improve nutrient absorption.

Turmeric for relief:

• Reduces inflammation and feelings of pain in muscles, joints, and other tissues
• Supports the body’s natural healing process
• Enhances post-exercise recovery and physical performance

Turmeric for beyond relief:

• Supports brain health
• Boosts mood