Getting Spicy
Turmeric and Curcumin
With the almost overwhelming onslaught of “wonder pills” and “miracle spices” being touted to cure anything that ails you it’s hard to decipher what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s bunk. I’m not able to weed through all of it for you in this email, but a compound that I’ll stand behind (due to an ever-increasing mountain of evidence for its benefits) is Curcumin. Curcumin is what gives the spice Turmeric its yellow color, and is commonly used to make curry.
Curcumin has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. The health of your endothelium (the lining of your blood vessels), is a strong indicator of your long-term health. Curcumin has been shown to be just as good for your endothelial health as exercise! Of course, Curcumin WITH exercise is even better, but it’s good news if exercise isn’t an option due to a condition or injury.
The yellow spice has also been shown to be effective in improving blood sugar, and insulin sensitivity in diabetics, and pre-diabetics. You would want to talk with your prescribing physician before making any changes to diabetic medications.
Osteoarthritis sufferers who took Curcumin were able to walk further, took fewer drugs, experienced less swelling and had fewer hospital visits. This is likely due to the fact that osteoarthritis has a prominent inflammatory component. Curcumin showed to be equal to ibuprofen in anti-inflammatory response with no known side effects.
The best way to experience the benefits of Curcumin is to activate it with a compound in black pepper called Perine. You can easily do this with Turmeric powder or Curry (Curry already has the black pepper in it), by consuming Turmeric root (the perine is in the naturally occurring oils on the root), or in a supplement which includes perine. If you’re interested in the supplement give us a call, as we usually have it in stock.
For resources on this topic, or if you have any questions about this (or any other) subject don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!
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The truth is, most Americans under 60 have no problem getting enough protein in their diets.
Here are the basics:
If you’re dieting, cut carbs and fat; not protein. Weight loss may be a little bit slower, but you’ll maintain muscle mass, which is a good thing.
Evenly distribute protein throughout the day with each meal. A little protein after a workout can help muscles recover and rebuild.
Fish, nuts, and legumes (beans) are the best sources of protein regardless of lifestyle, and can serve as a healthy replacement for starchy or sugary foods.
Protein-fortified foods are often highly processed and of suspect nutritional value.
Those over 65 years old should be more conscious about making sure they are taking in enough protein to maintain muscle health. Boost or Ensure are good additions to diets for those who may not be getting enough protein.
The RDA (recommended daily allowance) for protein is .8 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight.This means a 135 pound person should take in 47 grams of protein, while a 250 pound person should consume 90 grams.
For those with Kidney Disorder or Chronic Kidney Disease, PLEASE consult with your physician before making changes to protein intake as the kidneys may have more trouble processing protein.
Want to know how much protein you’re getting? Check out supertracker.usda.gov to find out.
If you have any questions about this topic or anything else, please feel free to call or email us!
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