Yesterday, this blog covered the importance of accommodating the dietary restrictions of your guests. But, what if something you serve this holiday could actually help alleviate some of their symptoms, rather than just failing to aggravate them?
Curcumin – the nutritional compound that lends turmeric its iconic golden hue, and is a staple in many Asian curries – may not be a regular fixture on your table this time of year, but this new study may inspire you to get a bit creative with your cooking. According to an abstract posted on PubMed, a database managed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, recently decided to investigate how curcumin can help treat a severe heart problem that affects diabetics. The condition, known as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), involves the improper function of the heart muscle, which obstructs the healthy flow of blood through the body. It is also a precursor for congestive heart failure.
To determine the effectiveness of curcumin against this condition, the researchers administered low doses of a curcumin supplement to rats with a simulated form of diabetes. After performing a series of biochemical tests on the animals, the scientists determined that curcumin effectively counteracted a number of diabetic symptoms – including metabolism abnormalities and inflammation, that played a part in DCM.
“These results suggest that curcumin may have great therapeutic potential in the treatment of DCM, and perhaps other cardiovascular disorders, by attenuating fibrosis, oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death,” the study abstract states.
As well as reducing the risk of this heart complication, curcumin has also been shown to combat the growth of certain cancer cells, and can ease pain and inflammation associated with arthritis – among other health benefits. Click here for information about Nutrivene Longvida Curcumin.