CURCUMIN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

As a leading biotechnology company, Stem Cells 21 (SC21) is at the forefront of identifying safe and natural ways to manage and treat ailments. Every day, people are exposed to inflammatory agents from within the body or through external causes such as injury or age-related diseases like arthritis.

SC21 recommends natural interventions such as curcumin. Curcumin anti-inflammatory properties include a component of the Indian spice turmeric (Curcumin longa), from the ginger family. It is derived from the root of the turmeric plant which is processed, dried and ground into fine yellow turmeric powder that contains 2-5% curcumin. It has powerful anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving abilities.

What Causes Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s innate response to harm; it is a way to facilitate its own repairs. Its symptoms include redness, swelling, pain and reduced mobility or inflamed areas.

Common causes of inflammation may be divided broadly into:

1. Physical – These are caused by blunt force trauma from external hits or internal abrasions.
2. Chemical – for instance: acid ‘burns’, drugs, venom.
3. Infection – bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites
4. Ischemia – lack of or restricted blood supply which may eventually lead to death of tissue (necrosis) known as an infarct.
5. Immune system – autoimmune conditions and allergies.

Curcumin Anti-inflammatory Health Benefits

Curcumin anti-inflammatory health benefits have been known to many since the times of ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine in India. It was used to treat a wide variety of ailments including those of the skin, wounds, sprains, gastrointestinal systems, aches and pains.
The most celebrated benefit of curcumin is its ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is simply put, the body’s natural reaction to injury or infection.

It is meant to facilitate the body’s repair mechanism. However, in certain cases and conditions such as arthritis, it is desirable to reduce or control the inflammation. Individuals might also suffer from chronic inflammation brought by infection, autoimmune reactions or allergies.
A study previously done of arthritis patients shows that those who added 200 mg of turmeric into their daily diets had reduced pain and swelling of their joints. Scientists believe that this is because curcumin releases a protein that blocks the inflammatory pathways.

At the same time, the anti-oxidant properties of curcumin prolong the lifetime of cells around inflamed areas reducing the presence of dead cells that promote inflammation.

Curcumin has been known to have a very low uptake rate. That is to say most of it does not get absorbed into the bloodstream in its natural state. This can have a beneficial effect too. Curcumin, if regularly taken, can stay in the colon providing many positive health benefits. It also has fringe anti-biotic properties, this ensures a good balance of stomach bacteria. These deposits also promote anti-inflammatory effects in the digestive tract.

Studies comparing individuals in Southern and Eastern Asia where the dietary intake of turmeric is high showed lower occurrences of cancer compared to other parts of the world where turmeric consumption is lower.

How To Take Curcumin

• On top of its medicinal values, curcumin is also a spice. It can be used to add a vivid yellow color to blank white foods like potatoes, eggs or rice.
• Black pepper increases the uptake of curcumin. These two can be mixed to create a healthy seasoning for salads and puddings.
• Turmeric can be boiled with ginger which also contains some curcumin to brew a tasty anti-oxidative tea.
• Curcumin can also be mixed in with toothpaste and used to brush teeth.
• Spread on the skin, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects are effective against eczema when mixed with some oil, spread on the affected area and then washed off after 15-20 minutes. It may also be mixed in with homemade facial scrubs for healthier looking skin.
• For clinical results, curcumin should be taken as a supplement in regular doses. It is important to find out what the right dosage is for you in order to guarantee good results.
• Curcumin has been found to have very high tolerability which means it is safe for use without adverse side effects.

Inflammation After Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell treatment is usually an outpatient therapy. That means after the treatment patients can go home and they usually resume low impact activities almost immediately. However, some inflammation is common and this is where curcumin comes in as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
SC21 is at the cutting edge of stem cell research and therapy. The occasional inflammation from stem cell therapy is a common side effect mostly affecting the parotid gland.

This gland is found on either side of the mouth and is one of the glands that controls saliva production. Regular use of curcumin has been shown to greatly reduce inflammation of this gland when it occurs after stem cell therapy.
Some recipients of stem cell therapy may also experience inflammation of the thyroid gland. Curcumin provides a fast relief against this inflammation in a safe and natural way.

It is impossible to completely avoid inflammation. What is important is how it is managed and treated when it occurs.