Curcumin extract 95% | Curcuma longa

Curcumin extract 95% | Curcuma longa

Properties: Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric or simply curcuma, is not just a tasty spice with a distinctive yellow color. Actually, this plant has a plethora of healthy benefits. However, we must admit that most of them and the intense colour arise from the same source – the compound called curcumin. What benefits can we expect from the supplementation?

First, let’s have a look at its effects on the general health condition. Curcumin has strong antioxidative properties. Nowadays everybody is aware of how important antioxidants are for our overall health. Likewise, we all know that high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are dangerous for the organism. Here the benefits of curcumin will also apply as this compound can efficiently lower the density of cholesterol. Additionally, it can lower the blood pressure. Thus, this popular spice becomes a part of the recipe for obtaining and maintaining proper health of the entire organism. 

Clearly, curcumin is a great supplement to improve our everyday functioning. What about the times when we feel sick? If the disease is related to some sort of inflammation, curcumin can help. First of all, it increases the production of cathelicidin – an antibacterial protein. When the infection is caused by viruses or fungi, curcumin will take care of it too due to its general anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, this compound will also work against the overaccumulation of macrophages in the area of inflammation. This is particularly important because such a situation can be extremely dangerous and even lead to permanent tissue damage. Thus, regardless whether we suffer from cold, flu or joint aches, the extract of curcuma will come in handy. 

Apart from these effects, curcumin influences the functioning of the central nervous system. There, it increases the natural production of DHA – one of the omega-3 acids, and upregulates the activity of BDNF – the protein required to produce new neural cells and the connections between them. Therefore, curcumin supplementation provides the brain (which likes omega-3 acids a lot!) with optimal working conditions. What is more, it supports the brain’s neuroplasticity – the ability to form new and restructure old neuronal pathways. And it’s quite important considering the fact that this ability underlies our learning capacity. 

Last but not least, results of scientific studies have proven that supplementation with curcumin can benefit general mood and stress resilience. As it turns out, this compound limits the decomposition of two neurotransmitters that are essential for our mental well-being – dopamine and serotonin. On top of that, it prevents overactivity of the so-called hypothalamus-pituitary axis which determines the amount of stress that we experience. This is particularly notable in the example of Buddhist monks. Their robes are coloured with curcume. Sometimes the skin too. Their everyday meal consists of rice and vegetables spiced with curcume. Now, have you ever seen a Buddhist monk stressed out? Not unless a hungry tiger is around.

Occurrence: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial plant from the Zingiberaceae family. It can reach up to 1 meter in height. Its underground part consists of bulbous rhizome and many numerous thickened roots. Naturally, it grows in tropical regions of South Asia. However, it probably comes from India where it is considered one of the most significant herbs. Thanks to Arabic traders, it arrived in Europe already in the ancient era. 

For millennia, in traditional Indian medicine – the Ayurveda – turmeric has been used as a tonic that strengthens the whole organism and regulates its functioning. This plant gained utmost appreciation in other classical systems of traditional Chinese and Persian medicines (TCM and Unani). Moreover, curcuma has been applied as a remedy to digestive issues, kidney aches, or menstrual disorders. 

Biochemistry: Curcuma longa owes its healthy properties mainly to compounds called curcuminoids. These natural phenols sum up to about 90% of all bioactive substances found in this plant. Curcumin is the most important one among all those compounds. It is responsible for the specific yellow color of this plant. Chemically speaking, curcumin is an organic compound classified as a diphenylheptanoid – it belongs to a small class of plant secondary metabolites. Additionally, turmeric also contains: tumeron (essential oil), fats, fiber, proteins, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium). Moreover, it is a very rich source of vitamin C.

Fun fact: In medieval Europe, turmeric has been known as an “Indian saffron”. In these times, it was used as a much cheaper alternative to original saffron. Today, in some places it is still being used as a natural food coloring that adds a yellow touch to some food products, such as mustard. It is marked with the symbol E100.