What Conventional Drugs Might You Be Able To Replace With Turmeric? The Answer Might Surprise You

*Please note: Dietary supplements are not a replacement for prescription drugs. Please talk to your doctor before taking any type of supplement.

Turmeric is loaded with healing properties. Because of this, it is one of the most widely researched plants in history. It goes back thousands of years. Human's today use turmeric as medicine and as food. Some have even used it to cure an array of life-threatening diseases. According to research from GreenMedInfo, turmeric is packed with more than 600 potential therapeutic and preventative applications and 175 beneficial physiological effects. Who would have known that one spice could pack such an amazing amount of benefits?

This ancient spice was traditionally used throughout India to give curry the yellow color that you see today. Not only does turmeric taste amazing, but it contains a number of highly-effective compounds that are all packed with medicinal properties. One of the most beneficial compounds in turmeric is that of curcumin. Curcumin is also the most active of all ingredients in turmeric. It delivers strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Based on a research project conducted by GreenMedInfo, turmeric may be able to replace a number of conventional medications that were designed to help treat conditions such as oxidative stress and inflammation for those with type 2 diabetes, plague in the arteries, arthritis, depression, inflammatory eye disease, carpal tunnel and countless others.

Many people use turmeric as a replacement for ibuprofen or aspirin because of its anti-inflammatory and pain-fighting abilities. Turmeric is a great natural alternative to help alleviate your pain. GreenMedInfo found that turmeric could be used as a supplement or replacement for the following medications:

1. Atorvastatin/Lipitor (cholesterol medications):

Based on a study in Drugs in R & D back in 2008 ¹, curcuminoids, which are found in turmeric, may be used for endothelial dysfunction, which is a condition that affects how your blood vessels function. Researchers also found that the curcumin is great for oxidative stress and inflammation in those struggling with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes affects thousands of individuals each year. According to information from the CDC, roughly 86 million adults over the age of 20 have some type of pre-diabetes. There are another 208,000 individuals aged 20 and younger who have been diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes. With so many people struggling to overcome diabetes and keep their sugar levels in check, turmeric could be the simple answer to a difficult condition.

2. Corticosteroids (steroid medications):

Based on findings in Phytotherapy Research, a 1999 study ² found that curcumin was helpful in reducing anterior uveitis, which is a type of inflammatory eye disease. You use the curcumin in the same manner as what you would the steroids, but it is a lot healthier and safer for you as the end user. Another study concluded that curcumin is capable of acting as an alternative form of therapy to help protect any lung-transplantation-associated injuries. It functions like the drug dexamethasone, except you don't have to deal with all of the harmful side effects.

Critical Care Medicine published a study in 2008 that compared curcumin with dexamethasone in animal models as a type of alternative therapy to help protect in lung transplantation-associated injuries by helping to down-regulate the inflammatory genes. Earlier studies from 2003 found in Cancer Letters also deemed that turmeric compared quite favorably with the drug in a type of lung ischaemia-repurfusion model.

Countless individuals are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome each year. The first line of defense is to get cortisone injections to help reduce inflammation and allow you to move your hands once again. while this can provide immediate relief, it is only temporary. Now, you can get the same effects of a cortisone injection with all of the lasting effects all just by taking turmeric on a daily basis. This is ideal for those who work in a position where they have to use their hands on a regular basis for hours on end.

3. Fluoxetine/Prozac and Imipramine (antidepressants):

Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica published a study in 2011 ³ that outlined the benefits of using curcumin for depression. It has the potential to eliminate psychotropic drugs such as Prozac with a much healthier alternative. This natural alternative could help give your mood the much needed boost it needs without having to take a number of different prescription medications.

With roughly 1.5 percent of the population today suffering with some form of depression, it makes sense to look into a natural cure for these 3.3 million adults. If something so simple could help you live a life of happiness and joy, there is no reason why you shouldn't give this natural spice a try.

4. Aspirin (blood thinner):

Arzneimittelforschung (Drug Research) published a study in 1986 ⁴ that found that curcumin is loaded with prostacyclin modulating and anti-platelet effects that resemble that of aspirin. Because of this, it could very well be capable of helping those who are prone to getting blood clots and need anti-arthritis therapy.

Did you know that blood clots rank as the third leading cause of death in the US? Depending on what methodology is being used, some rank blood clots as fifth or eighth. Either way you look at it, blood clots are a very serious problem and need to be treated. That's why turmeric is so beneficial to those who are struggling with these clots or are more prone to them as a whole. With them possibly ranking third, only behind heart disease and cancer, this isn't something you want to take a chance with.

5. Anti-inflammatory Drugs:

Oncogene published a study in 2004 ⁵ that found curcumin to be a great alternative to ibuprofen, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory prescriptions. Turmeric can also help to fight against tumor cells. This one spice has been shown to help reduce inflammation and give you the pain relief you need without having to turn to a bunch of medications to do so.

Approximately 5 percent of men and 6 percent of women aged 60 and older struggle with Alzheimer's around the world today. AD affects 4.5 million individuals in the US each year, which amounts to about 10 percent of the population. That number is only expected to increase by the time 2050 rolls around. In fact, they estimate that it could quadruple. More than $100 billion is spent each year to attempt to treat AD and allow individuals to enjoy life.

By taking turmeric supplements on a daily basis, you can help your brain from becoming constricted and help reduce inflammation from setting in and prohibiting you from being able to do the things you normally would. Turmeric has been shown to fight free radicals, oxidative stress, cerebral deregulation and beta amyloid all caused from abnormal inflammatory reactions in the brain.

6. Oxaliplatin (chemotherapy drug):

The International Journal of Cancer published a study in 2007 ⁶ that outlined their findings on curcumin and cancer. It was discovered that curcumin could prove beneficial in colon cancer, which could mean an end to having to take oxaliplatin. Being able to fight back against cancer with one spice and eliminating the need for chemo is one of the most beneficial aspects of turmeric.

Based on information from cancer.gov, there are 454.8 new cases of cancer each year for every 100,000 men and women. Roughly 171.2 out of every 100,000 people pass away each year from cancer out of those diagnosed with the disease. With so many people struggling with cancer and losing their life to the disease, it makes sense to start looking at natural alternatives to help your body fight back and allow you to enjoy life.

7. Metformin (diabetes dug):

In 2009 ⁷, a study was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications that documented how curcumin could prove beneficial in being able to fight diabetes and boost your glucose uptake. Researchers also believe that turmeric might be able to suppress glucose production in livers of those who have hepatocellular carcinoma, which is one of the most common forms of cancer around the world today. Scientists discovered that curcumin is 500 to 100,000 times more powerful than anything in metformin.

When you take all of the above information into account, it's easy to see why so many people are turning to turmeric to help their ailments and find the relief that they need. Humans have used turmeric for as long as anyone can remember. If you plan on taking a supplement that contains curcumin, you want to make sure you take it with a black pepper that contains piperine. The black pepper can help your body absorb the curcumin better to ensure you get the maximum amount of benefits possible.

Since curcumin is considered a fat soluble, you might want to take it with a fatty meal to make sure your body can absorb it quickly. With so many benefits in turmeric, you might want to consider using it as an everyday supplement and experience the change it can make in your life. You might be surprised at how much of a difference it is going to make for you in the end, but the best part of all is that it is all-natural and safe for you.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18588355 - Drugs in R&D 2008 Study

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10404539 - Phytotherapy Research 1999 study

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21928724 - Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica 2011 study

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3521617 - Arzneimittelforschung (Drug Research) 1986 study

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15489888 - Oncogene 2004 study

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17330230 - The International Journal of Cancer 2007 study

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19665995 - Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2009 study

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