Best way to use turmeric

The best way to use turmeric is in small amounts daily in your cooking. It contains important lipophilic polyphenols meaning they need added fat to be absorbed; they are less likely to be effective in a tea for example as compared to a dish where olive oil is used to fry onions.

If you suffer from joint pain, starting every morning with a few minutes of lower back exercises may not be enough. What you eat is vitally important too.

This is particularly true for those who have raised blood-glucose, remembering that half of diabetics are totally unaware they have a problem; until perhaps they become impotent or one of their legs goes lame.

Often it will be a sore that develops and won't heal that alerts the person; all is not well in the state of Denmark.

It's a complex problem but there are some simple things we can do to improve our immune-systems; and reduce the inflammation that may be affecting all of our organs, including our spines.

Don't take anti-inflammatory medication for prolonged periods as the pills have awful side effects but do include some turmeric daily in your cooking. It adds a marvellous flavour too.

Turmeric is an orangey spice that is a member of the ginger family. Curcumin is one of the active ingredients; there are certainly others less-well studied.

Research reported in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that you cannot overdose the spice when taken in your food; and there are numerous reports confirming its anti-inflammatory properties as a Cox 2 inhibitor.

Researchers writing in the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists^[2] report that extensive studies stretching over fifty years have shown very promising results for many conditions, particularly those of the intestinal tract; from oral lichen planus in the mouth to gastric-ulcers and colitis.

A rectal itch is not always a sign of worms; proctitis of the anus.

And a host of blood glucose and autoimmune diseases, to mention a few that will respond to dietary changes. The discussion is increasingly about using food as medicine; type-2 diabetics can put their disease entirely into remission without medication.

More fascinating research published in the American Society of Pharmacognosy found that turmeric was effective in preventing joint-inflammation provided one started taking it before, but not after the onset of pain^[1]. This makes a strong case for using the spice daily in our food; prevention as always remains better than a cure.

Best way to use turmeric

The best way to use turmeric for me is half a teaspoon daily in our Eggs Hilton; it is so easy but in fact because of its benefits particularly for the diabetic we add it to many other dishes too. It is a small amount but imparts wonderful flavour to a breakfast that could otherwise become a little dull.

Mind you Eggs Hilton could never be as dull as most of the breakfast cereals; just why were corn flakes invented? Without a spoonful of sugar they are awful and fattening too; and far too much salt. Refined carbs have no taste; all the goodness has been removed including those that give them flavour.

We always add those greens and legumes that are in season. Today it's broad beans and leeks with freshly-picked kale and eggs to come. This is the breakfast that stays with you; it provides satiety. That means no need to reach for snacks and colas mid morning.

Researchers discuss how curcumin modulates certain molecular pathways enabling it to help prevent tumours^[3]. Doctors are now saying that it is no longer if but when you will get metastatic-disease; such is the toxic environment the world has created. The CEO of a large medical insurance company recently said that 80% of illness comes from our lifestyle. A much smaller fraction is genetic.

In short the best way to use turmeric to promote well-being and prevent disease is to enjoy it daily in your food.

Fresh turmeric

Fresh turmeric grated from the root is far better than the powdered-form and really little trouble to grow in a mild climate. It tolerates some frost and is a good deal easier than ginger.

Statins

One of the great concerns with statin-use is that we are more likely to become diabetic, and that it will progress to the need for insulin^[4]; and experience "acute glycemic complications."

It would appear that patients treated with statins are prone to becoming insulin-resistant.

What is clear is that the use of herbs and spices like turmeric is a better way to help prevent these serious diseases of modern civilization; and the avoidance of refined carbs which are the real cause of raised low-density cholesterol in any case, not eggs and butter.

South African children typically consume a cup of sugar per day, 48-teaspoons, and teenagers double that^[5]. Is it any wonder that the prevalence of diabetes is soaring?

Furthermore there are numerous studies showing that added sugar reduces the absorption of many micronutrients including minerals such as calcium and iron; and vitamins too^[6].

Twenty year diabetes rule

Dr Campbell's twenty year diabetes rule states that if you indulge in 20tsp of sugar each day for two decades you will almost certainly begin to suffer from the disease; that is the amount in a couple of cans of a cola.

The Indian community in South Africa have affirmed that whilst they certainly enjoy the best way to use tumeric, Campbell's law still holds. If they also eat refined grains like white rice then it will happen sooner.

There is simply no way around it; avoid refined carbs or anticipate a life characterised by many visits to the doctor, umpteen pills and an early demise.

Dickie up dull foods

There are many important foods that nutritionally are profoundly necessary but frankly insipid or tasteless. Most legumes fall into this category as does the chaote squash.

The trick is to dickie up these foods with spices like turmeric and peppers.

Society has been tricked into believing that we need eat only those foods that tickle the taste buds; and so we are deficient in many phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins.

The best way to use turmeric is daily in our food making these dull foods more palatable; and simultaneously giving us protection against diabetes.

Take home

The "take home" of all this is that diabetics and those suffering from generalised inflammation need to become better acquainted with herbs and spices; and eschew sugar and refined grains. And the best way to use turmeric is fresh from your garden but the dried and powdered form is not bad.

Fascinating research reveals that by using food as medicine alone almost all type-2 diabetics can go completely into remission; and get off their drugs.

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