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Turmeric + Black Pepper

Next to probiotics, Turmeric has played one of the biggest rules in healing my body. I was recently eating at a restaurant, when I overheard this lady go on and on about how Turmeric had changed her life. She went on for so long about it that it was borderline annoying to me. I now realize that hearing her talk about her Turmeric story was one of the best things I could have ever heard.

Once I was back home, I decided to look up this ladies proclamation about Turmeric. Several YouTube videos later, I decided to give it a try. Within 45 minutes of trying my first dose, I noticed a reduction in my knee and back pain. After using it every day for a couple months, I was practically pain free. Currently I find that I only need to take it a few times per week.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice, that gives curry its yellow color. It belongs to the ginger family and has been used in India and the Middle East for thousands of years. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric, and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

It’s high in manganese, iron, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, and also contains vitamin C and magnesium.


You can find it in the refrigerator section at Whole Foods = )

You can buy it online at Amazon for $14.99.


You can buy it directly from the farmer. It’s so pretty straight from the Farm!!!! This is from Lox Farms in Florida.

What does Turmeric do for you?

For me it eliminated my knee and back pain, but it can also improve other inflammatory issues such as Psoriasis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s Disease. Some studies are even showing how curcumin, can decrease the risk of developing cancer. It’s considered a safe alternative to using Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), such as Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, Toradol, and Indocin.

Another really exciting benefit of Turmeric is that it may help with obesity. Apparently the curcumin found in Turmeric can prevent fat accumulation in adipose tissues and also speeds up metabolism.

Turmeric for Whitening Teeth

I was so worried that Turmeric was going to stain or discolor my teeth. As it turns out, Turmeric does the opposite. I have not personally tried using it for this purpose, but feel free to & leave a comment of your experience below.

How to use Turmeric

In order to get all of the anti-inflammatory benefits of Turmeric you must add in black pepper. Black pepper is the Trojan horse to the liver. It increases the bioavailability of the curcumin, found in Turmeric, by 2,000%! The piperine found in black pepper has also been linked to reducing chronic pain.

Another way to increase your absorption of curcumin is by using adding in some type of healthy fat such as coconut oil, olive oil, or an avocado.

How I use Turmeric

For me, I found the best results came from using the actual Turmeric root. I’ve tried supplements, but it did not have the same results as I had going straight to the real source. So how do I use it? I sometimes grate turmeric root, & add in black pepper into my soups and salads, but mostly I just make a drink out of it. Another really easy way to add it into your diet, is to cut off about 1/4 inch of Turmeric root & add it to your smoothie. Be sure to add in the black pepper!

  

Turmeric Supplements

As I already mentioned, for me using curcumin supplements did not help me. However, I’ve had countless patients and friends tell me how Turmeric supplements have helped them. If you start the supplements, do not expect immediate results. I’ve had a few people tell me it took around two months before they really noticed a decrease in their symptoms. If supplements have worked for you, please comment below & share your story. Below are links to two different brands that have worked with people I personally know.

Caution – Possible side effects:

Always talk to your medical provider before starting any new supplements or medications. If you decide to use Turmeric, it’s suggested that you take it at least 4 hours away from other medications.

If you have an allergy to Ginger, you might want to avoid Turmeric because they are in the same family.

Possible side effects of turmeric include, uterine contractions in pregnant women, elevated liver function tests (damage to the liver), increased risk of bleeding, increased menstrual flow, low blood pressure (dizziness), nausea, diarrhea, and kidney stones. You may want to avoid using turmeric if you have diabetes, as it can lower sugar levels. If you have gallbladder issues, you might want to steer clear, as Turmeric can potentially cause gallbladder contractions. If you have surgery coming up, you may want to avoid using Turmeric for at least 2 weeks, because Turmeric has the potential for decreasing blood clotting time. This could increase your risk for a serious bleed.

* If you’re on any anti-coagulant medications such as Plavix (clopidogrel), Coumadin (warfarin), Eliquis (apixaban) or aspirin, you need to use extra caution. Turmeric may also decrease blood clotting time.

JUST EAT REAL FOOD – Stop focusing on calories & focus on what you’re eating and how it makes you feel. Your body is always giving you signals, but many times we ignore them. Pay attention if you develop nausea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, joint pain, rashes, sinus problems, or cold sores. If you develop any of these things after eating, it’s a good indicator that your body is giving you a clue to stop consuming something in your food. Many times these symptoms come from consuming chemicals, artificial coloring, and preservatives. Other times these symptoms can occur from a food allergy or sensitivity. Pay attention. Creating a food diary is a really great way to help you figure out what your triggers are. Food elimination diets are a great way to figure out what your triggers are.

 

DISCLAIMER
Information in this posting is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your medical provider before starting any new supplements or medications.

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