Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence.
Native to the southwest of India, turmeric root has been a staple of Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than 4,000 years. It is one of the most clinically studied herbs today.
The turmeric root possesses natural oils, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and phytochemicals that combine to provide healing properties for almost every area of the body. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant compounds that boost the healthy functioning of cells, tissues, organs, and systems. These compounds include antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, and a wide variety of protective, preventative, and health-promoting derivatives that help support the natural functions of the body.
These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin.
Curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory. In fact, it’s so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects.
The powerful phenols contained within the flesh of the turmeric root not only help combat germs, bacteria, and viruses but also help aid in digestive processes, support immunity, improve energy, maximize metabolic functioning, cleanse the blood, regulate blood sugar, and increase mental processes.
Piperine, an active compound found in Black Pepper, enhances curcumin absorption by 2,000%. Without this substance, most of the curcumin just passes through the digestive tract.
10 Science Informed Reasons to Include Turmeric in Your Dog’s Diet:
- Turmeric Contains Bioactive Compounds with Powerful Medicinal Properties – Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (1, 2, 3)
- Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound – scientists now believe that chronic inflammation contributes to almost every chronic Western disease. Curcumin can suppress many molecules known to play major roles in inflammation without the side effects of manufactured drugs. (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- Turmeric Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body – curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralizes free radicals on its own but also stimulates your dog’s body’s own antioxidant enzymes. (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases – curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain. (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- Curcumin Could Lower Your Dog’s Risk of Heart Disease – curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. It improves the function of the endothelium and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
- Turmeric Can Help Prevent (and Perhaps Even Treat) Cancer – curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer. (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- Curcumin May Be Useful in Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease – curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease. (39, 40, 41)
- Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin – arthritis is a common disorder characterised by joint inflammation. Many studies show that curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs. (42, 43, 44)
- Studies Show That Curcumin Has Incredible Benefits Against Depression – a study in 60 people with depression showed that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in alleviating symptoms of the condition. (45, 46, 47, 48)
- Curcumin May Help Delay Ageing and Fight Age-Related Chronic Diseases – due to its many positive health effects, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer, curcumin may aid longevity. (49, 50)
