Paul Keogh explains why curcumin deserves pride of place in your medicine cabinet.

Inflammation is one of the body’s primary mechanisms for dealing with infections, irritations and injuries, and as a result occurs in an enormous number of acute and chronic health problems.

What are the symptoms of inflammation?

In an acute injury like a sprained ankle, the characteristic signs of inflammation are readily detected: the injured tissue is painful, swells rapidly, becomes red in colour, feels hot, and experiences some degree of loss of function.

What causes inflammation?

Inflammation is a response to cellular or tissue injury, regardless of whether it’s caused by:

• Infection
• Tissue damage (e.g. the physical trauma experienced during a sporting injury or a mild burn)
• Irritation
• Hypersensitivity

What is curcumin?

Curcumin is part of a group of compounds called curcuminoids that are found in turmeric. In addition to providing the vibrant orange-yellow colour that turmeric brings to your favourite curry, curcumin has been the subject of many of scientific studies, many of which support its growing reputation as a potent anti-inflammatory agent with therapeutic benefits.

So, should I just add more turmeric to my cooking?

Unfortunately, the curcumin in turmeric isn’t readily absorbed, so the culinary use of turmeric is unlikely to produce the potent anti-inflammatory effects that curcumin has demonstrated in scientific research.

Instead, look for a supplement such as Oriental Botanicals Curcumin Excel that’s been specially formulated with piperine – a compound from black pepper that enhances the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 20 times, and take as directed.

Chat to your local Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist for more information.

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.