Turmeric: Your Golden Ticket to Health

Turmeric: Your Golden Ticket to Health

HELP, I’m Inflamed!

Everyone has experienced the phenomenon of acute inflammation – a sprained ankle, a splinter, or a cut – resulting in the affected area becoming red, swollen, hot, and painful. This is your immune system rushing to protect your body from any bacteria or viruses that may try to infect the area, and is also the first step in repairing tissue damage. This is part of a normal, healthy inflammatory response and should die down, or resolve, once the injury heals.[¹] In some cases, however, inflammation sticks around and becomes chronic.

More than half of the Australian population suffers from chronic inflammation and pain.[²] Ongoing inflammation may be a response to repetitive damage that does not heal (e.g. arthritis), but it can also occur in response to other triggers such as toxins, allergens, or oxidative stress, also causing tissue damage. Chronic inflammation has been associated with the development of many types of disease such as type 2 diabetes, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.[³]

Ongoing inflammation may be a response to repetitive damage that does not heal (e.g. arthritis), but it can also occur in response to other triggers such as toxins, allergens, or oxidative stress, also causing tissue damage.

Turmeric to the rescue 

Many people seek natural alternatives for the management of pain and inflammation, with the curry spice, turmeric, being one of the most exciting options. Turmeric has a long history of use in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) for the treatment of inflammatory conditions,[⁴] with scientific research validating its anti-inflammatory benefits. This golden spice helps to reduce inflammation in three key ways:

• Addresses all stages of inflammation. The inflammatory process involves several stages, beginning with an initial trigger (injury or infection). The immune system detects this trigger and signals the body to create and release chemicals that cause pain, heat, and swelling, causing restricted movement to protect the body during acute inflammation. Turmeric provides anti-inflammatory benefits by acting on each of these stages of inflammation to reduce the chemicals that cause inflammation and pain.
• Promotes the resolution of inflammation. The inflammatory process is normally self-limiting. As the threat of injury or infection passes, the body produces substances called Specialised Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) that signal the immune system to limit, or resolve, the inflammatory process; this reduces pain and encourages the clearance of infection. However, in cases of chronic disease or illness, the body has a reduced ability to produce these SPMs, preventing the resolution of inflammation. Unresolved inflammation then becomes chronic, leading to ongoing pain and tissue damage. Turmeric helps resolve inflammation by promoting the production of SPMs.[⁵]
• Halts the vicious cycle of chronic inflammation. Just as tissue damage can act as an initial trigger for acute inflammation, the damage caused by chronic inflammation can be a trigger for further inflammation, creating a vicious cycle. By reducing the production and release of inflammatory chemicals, and promoting inflammation resolution, turmeric helps limit the damage caused by inflammation,[⁶] helping break this cycle.

Unfortunately, the occasional curry or turmeric latte does not provide enough anti-inflammatory action to address inflammation and pain. Instead, a high-quality turmeric supplement is needed for maximum benefit. Read on to find out how to choose the best supplement for you.

What to look for

It is important to note that not all turmeric supplements are created equal, so when looking for a quality supplement, consider BCM-95™ turmeric. BCM-95™ is a high strength, bioavailable, whole turmeric extract which has been extensively clinically trialled, providing the best anti-inflammatory bang for your buck.

• Whole turmeric extract. In contrast to isolated curcumin supplements, whole turmeric extracts are highly bioavailable because they retain the resins and volatile oils naturally present in the turmeric rhizome, which help with the absorption of the active constituent curcumin. Improved bioavailability means you get the benefit of this powerful anti-inflammatory herb quickly when you need it.[⁷] Additionally, pain medications and even isolated turmeric extracts can cause unwanted side effects such as gut pain; while whole turmeric extracts, on the other hand, are easy on the gut.
• High strength extract. BCM-95™ turmeric contains 95% curcuminoids, which are the active constituents responsible for turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects. This means better anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits for you using a smaller number of capsules.
• Clinically trialled. Multiple human clinical trials of BCM-95™ turmeric have demonstrated positive outcomes for conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and depression. For example, in one study, 25 g of BCM-95™ turmeric was shown to have significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects and was as effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.[⁸] This data places BCM-95™ at the forefront of options for turmeric supplementation.
• Practitioner recommended. Practitioners have confidence in BCM-95™because of its high quality, excellent bioavailability and continued success in clinical trials.

BCM-95™ is a high strength, bioavailable, whole turmeric extract which has been extensively clinically trialled, providing the best anti-inflammatory bang for your buck. 

Turmeric reduces inflammation at all stages, from reducing the release of inflammatory chemicals to ending the vicious cycle of chronic inflammation, making it an indispensable therapeutic product in any inflammatory or painful situation. Whether you suffer from acute or chronic inflammation, a high strength, clinically trialled, whole turmeric extract is your golden ticket to reducing pain and regaining your health.

[1] The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Inflammation [Internet]. Parkville (VIC): The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research; 2018 [updated 2018 Aug 8; cited 2019 May 20]. Available from: https://www.wehi.edu.au/research/research-fields/inflammation.

[2] Australia Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia’s Health Report 2016 [Internet]. Canberra ACT: AIHW; 2016 [updated 2016 May 16; cited 2019 May 20]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2016/contents/summary.

[3] The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Inflammation [Internet]. Parkville (VIC): The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research; 2018 [updated 2018 Aug 8; cited 2019 May 20]. Available from: https://www.wehi.edu.au/research/research-fields/inflammation.

[4] Braun L, Cohen M. Herbs and natural supplements: an evidence-based guide, volume 2. 4th edition. Sydney (AU): Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone; 2015. p. 1009.

[5] Chiang N, Serhan CN. Structural elucidation and physiologic functions of specialized pro-resolving mediators and their receptors. Mol Aspects Med. 2017 Dec; 58:114-129 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2017.03.005.

[6] Youn HS, Saitoh SI, Miyake K, Hwang DH. Inhibition of homodimerization of Toll-like receptor 4 by curcumin. Biochem Pharmacol, 2006 Jun 28; 72(1):62-69 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2006.03.022.

[7] Benny M, Antony B. Bioavailability of BiocurcumaxTM (BCM-95TM). Spice India 2006; 19(9):11-15

[8] Chandran B, Goel A. A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Phytother Res 2012;26(11):1719–1725

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