Pass the Turmeric, Please

Laboratory studies performed on mice in recent years have the scientific community taking a closer look at India's long standing commitment to the medicinal benefits of the turmeric plant for treating a variety of symptoms and medical conditions.

Researchers say that Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric having anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, is responsible for the medicinal benefits being discovered in their studies. What Western scientists are seeing in their laboratories the people of India have known for centuries -- turmeric not only enhances the taste of foods but also enhances our health.

In India, where the turmeric plant originates, turmeric powder or turmeric paste, is used to treat a variety of ailments including sore throats, cuts, colds and skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Admittedly, turmeric powder seems a laughable remedy for treating the above mentioned ailments but the anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties provided by Curcumin are no joke. In fact, scientists have begun to theorize other ways in which turmeric may be beneficial.

One theory currently being considered by researchers could see turmeric as a potential player in treating Type 2 Diabetes, a disease affecting millions around the world. According to an article published in the July 2008 issue of Endocrinology, a study carried out on laboratory mice at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center confirmed the research teams suspicions. Curcumin improves insulin resistance! This startling discovery is excellent news for type 2 diabetics who, like myself, struggle each day with controlling their blood sugar.

For type 2 diabetics, eating the proper amount and type of foods is essential to managing their glucose level. The ideal diet for the type 2 diabetic means consuming low glycemic carbohydrates along with proteins and fats that are derived from vegetables, vegetable oils and cold water fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon and sardines. A diet based on these foods is helpful to the diabetic patient in that they are utilizing the components found in specific foods to prevent the after meal elevated blood sugar diabetes causes while taking preventive measures for developing the numerous diabetes-related illnesses they are susceptible too.

With the amazing results discovered at the Berrie Diabetes Center one can't help but wonder if turmeric will be a new addition to the diabetics daily diet. Perhaps one day soon diabetics will be saying, "Pass the turmeric, please."

References:

CT Aisyah, Boost Insulin's Sensitivity and Performance Using Lifestyle Modifications, Associated Content.

Stuart P. Weisburg, Rudolph Leibel and Drew V Tortoriello, Dietary Curcumin Significantly Improves Obesity-Associated Inflammation and Diabetes in Mouse Models of Diabesity, Endocrinology, July 2008, 149(7):9549-9558.