Turmeric ingredient found to help those with major depressive disorder

Researchers uncover drug-free way to treat depression

Antidepressants are bad news for everyone — men, women, seniors and especially kids.

And for anyone with heart failure, they can be even more dangerous, if that’s possible.

But researchers in Australia have made a remarkable discovery about a golden compound that is able to significantly help those suffering from depression.

And the best part is that it doesn’t take a whole lot of it to make a real difference!

Getting to the root of healing

Researchers “down under” have found a way to treat both depression and anxiety by using curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric.

You’ve no doubt heard a lot of good news about the root — long used in Indian cooking and what gives curry its golden yellow color.

The fact that turmeric is such an important part of Indian dishes is thought to be the reason that country’s rate of Alzheimer’s is among the lowest in the world.

But dementia may not be the only way that this “miracle spice,” as it’s often referred to, can help your brain.

A study set to appear in the January issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders, found that curcumin was effectively able to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults suffering from major depressive disorder.

The researchers gave test volunteers supplements containing either 250 mg or 500 mg of curcumin twice daily for 12 weeks. And they found the same amazing results even at the lower doses.

And in another recent study, a team of researchers from Newcastle, Leeds Teaching Hospital and University College London found that all it took was a moderate amount of turmeric added to foods to result in “highly significant” changes in genes associated with cancer, allergies, asthma and… depression!

The Newcastle scientists tested turmeric used in cooking, as curcumin is fat-soluble and absorbed much better when combined with food.

Now, as an eAlert reader, you know that I’ve been telling you about some remarkable research going on with turmeric and curcumin over the years. In fact, there have been over 3,000 studies proving its antibacterial, antiviral, and heart-protecting benefits.

Why, just last month I told you about some incredible research from Saint Louis University showing that when colon cancer cells in the laboratory were exposed to curcumin and then an extract from the herb milk thistle, they started dying off in droves!

So it should be obvious by now that this golden spice has some pretty remarkable properties.

Ones that Big Pharma would certainly love to be able to duplicate.

But why wait when you can have the real deal right now. In fact, I’ll bet turmeric is in your spice rack already, so why not start incorporating more of it into your diet?

For example, you can:

Add the spice to soups and stews. Start out with around a quarter-to a half-teaspoon and add more to taste.
Sprinkle on rice as it’s cooking. Since the beneficial properties are best absorbed with fat, blend it first with some butter or coconut oil and then add to the rice.
Many people swear by a turmeric “night cap” drink, which is made by combining milk, honey, coconut oil and a half-teaspoon of the spice (you can also add some cinnamon). Heat the mixture up slowly and enjoy before bed time.

And as studies continue to come out with more and more remarkable findings, turmeric supplements are about as easy to find now as vitamin C!

The only caveat is that the spice can act as a blood thinner. So if you’re currently taking an Rx drug to thin your blood, you should avoid it.

Sources:
“Curcumin eases both depression and anxiety” Terry Graedon, October 20, 2016, The People’s Pharmacy, peoplespharmacy.com