Turmeric protects against heart attack

May 11, 2011 | In Health

May 9, 2011 — A study completed in Copenhagen University has found that even short-term treatment with most NSAIDs in people with a history of myocardial infarction was associated with increased and instantaneous cardiovascular risk. Use of NSAIDs was associated with a 45% increased risk for death or recurrent MI in the first 7 days of treatment and a 55% increased risk if treatment continued to 3 months. The findings were published online May 9 in Circulation.

Turmeric has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory conditions. Research has shown the active compound, curcumin, found in turmeric to be a highly pleiotropic molecule capable of interacting with numerous molecular targets involved in inflammation. Based on early cell culture and animal research, clinical trials indicate turmeric and curcumin may have potential as a therapeutic agent in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, and chronic anterior uveitis, as well as certain types of cancer. Numerous in-progress clinical trials should provide an even deeper understanding of the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of curcumin and turmeric.

When taken together with black pepper, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are increase by 1000-fold. Add ground turmeric and cracked black pepper into soups and stews and start eating more delicious curries!

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