Tag gut health | PlantEd

September 27, 2019September 27, 2019 by admin

The Miracle Herb

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric (Curcumin Longa) is a yellow spice and is part of the ginger family. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in South East Asia, China and India for cooking and as a medicine for all kind of inflammations in the human body. Turmeric is still currently used for cooking, however, scientists have recently revealed its true potential. Curcumin is the key ingredient responsible for the therapeutic properties of Turmeric.

Many of us who are new to the Turmeric supplement, get confused with the term Curcuminoids and Curcumin. It is occasionally wrongly concluded that if Curcuminoids are the ones responsible for most of Turmeric’s benefit to our health then why we need Turmeric.

Curcuminoids are a family of active compounds found within Turmeric.

Turmeric is made of several curcuminoids and curcumin is a small potent and the most important Curcuminoid of Turmeric. Curcumin is the key ingredient responsible for the therapeutic properties of Turmeric.

The curcuminoids found in Turmeric include Curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and dimethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is the primary curcuminoid that has been most researched and written about in clinical studies and articles. Curcumin is not only the most studied curcuminoid, it is also the most abundant curcuminoid found in Turmeric.

Most of us have heard a lot about Turmeric and we continue to read articles about Turmeric in health publications and its awesomeness. However, some of us may not be so sure how to fit this amazing herb into our daily routine.

Benefits of Turmeric

Curcumin the active compound in Turmeric has been widely researched by scientists and health care professionals for its disease fighting potential and health benefits.

Turmeric can boost your immune system

Curcumin is the most researched curcuminoid found in Turmeric. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial properties make it a health promoting powerhouse. For better absorption in the blood stream, curcumin should always be taken with Bioperine (Black Pepper extract) If swallowing a capsule is not your cup of tea, you can try making this yummy smoothie which is ideal with your breakfast or anytime of the day.

Carrot Turmeric Smoothie

½ cup baby Carrots

1 ripe Banana

1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple

½ tbsp. fresh peeled ginger

Contents of 2-3 PlantOrigin Turmeric Curcumin capsules (opened up)

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 cup unsweetened Almond milk

Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth, add ice or enjoy at room temperature.

Turmeric can fight free radicals

Regular use of Turmeric has shown to increase antioxidant capacity and help fight free radical damage. Getting rid of free radicals can give a tremendous boost to your immune system, brain function and cancer prevention. Regular use of Turmeric can amp up the body’s natural anti-oxidant capacity and give a boost to the body’s defence system. The antioxidants found in Turmeric can also benefit our appearance and protect the skin from free radical damage from environmental pollutants.

Turmeric eases joint pain and Arthritis

Several studies and research done by scientists have shown very promising results in the ability of Turmeric to ease joint and Arthritis pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of Turmeric are excellent for fighting all kinds of inflammation and pain management associated with Arthritis. Turmeric is also an excellent remedy for sore muscles especially in athletes.

Here I would also recommend my favourite anti-inflammatory smoothie.

Open up 2-3 PlantOrigin Turmeric curcumin capsules and blend wild Blue Berries, roasted or steamed Beets (both are rich in anti-oxidants). Enjoy after a workout or any time of the day.

Turmeric can help treat and prevent cancer

Both Turmeric and curcumin have been studied widely for the treatment and prevention of cancerous cells. Several studies have been conducted on Turmeric’s role in preventing cancer with many promising findings.

Here’s a cancer fighting plant base dish for you to enjoy.

Toss chickpeas with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic and a dash of black pepper and olive oil. Roast at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes until crispy. Open up 2 – 3 capsules of PlantOrigin Turmeric Curcumin and sprinkle. Garnish with cilantro Enjoy!

Turmeric protects your heart

Scientific studies have concluded that Turmeric and Curcumin protect your heart in numerous ways. Turmeric and curcumin reduce inflammation and free radical damage. Both these herbs have also shown to improve the heart’s Endothelium function. Endothelium is a thin membrane that lines the inside of the heart and blood vessels. These cells form an interface between circulating blood into the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. Endothelial cells also release substances that control vascular relaxation and contraction as well as enzymes that control blood clotting and immune function.

A healthy lifestyle including exercise training, regular intake of anti-oxidants and an anti-inflammatory herb like Turmeric and curcumin have beneficial effects on endothelial function and can reduce the risk of heart disease. Along with Turmeric and Curcumin a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will also benefit the endothelial function.

Turmeric for a healthy gut

Even though most of us associate Turmeric with spicy food and curry, Turmeric can treat inflammatory bowel conditions like Colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Turmeric can boost your mood

Curcumin’s impact on “Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor”, also known as BDNF, has shown to have a potential use in the treatment of depression. The BDNF gene provides instructions for making a protein found in the brain and spinal cord called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein promotes the survival of neurons or nerve cells by playing a role in the growth, maturation and maintenance of these cells. Regular use of Turmeric Curcumin can reverse detrimental brain changes that occur during depression. Several studies have shown that Turmeric can boost the levels of mood regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

Turmeric can stave off neurodegenerative disease

Because curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier, several studies have shown that our brain can benefit from Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits and help with conditions like Alzheimer’s. Regular use of Turmeric has shown to protect brain function as we age.

Turmeric improves long-term cognitive function

As discussed earlier in this article, regular use of Turmeric curcumin has proven to boost brain health by increasing healthy levels of a hormone called BDNF. Therefore, it plays a key role in the improvement of cognitive function.

Turmeric is a powerful weapon against all types of inflammation.

Inflammation in the human body is the root cause of several health disorders like metabolic syndrome, heart disease and even cancer. Inflammation in the human body has been linked to cognitive decline. Turmeric prevents the production of inflammatory genes. Turmeric’s extremely powerful anti-inflammatory properties are a powerful weapon and provide tremendous benefits.

June 13, 2017June 15, 2017 by admin

A Gutsy way to Lose Weight

The key to weight loss has always been a mystery. Every fitness guru offers their very own secret to weight loss. We have always been told that cutting fat from our diets will help you lose weight. The next we know is that everyone is talking about counting calories. Then it’s all about ditching those carbs. But could it be that we’ve had it wrong all along and that the secret is actually already within us? More specifically, within our gut?

Each person has their own unique microbiome, which means that each of us responds differently to carbohydrates and fats and sugar. Therefore, any diet plan that excludes whole groups of food damages your microbiome and increases your likelihood of putting on weight.

Excluding certain food groups may help you lose weight for the first few weeks because you’re eating less and selecting carefully what you do eat. However, in the long-term, they’ll decimate your microbes by reducing their diversity and can end up making you fatter.

To put it simply, an imbalance of gut flora stops our digestive system from working properly, the calories consumed are not used efficiently and our energy levels drop. The increased fatigue means the fat-storing stress hormone cortisol kicks in, which will lead to heightened blood sugar and insulin levels. Basically, weight gain is inevitable when there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in our guts. Our gut craves variety, it craves variation of healthy foods. Our much-slimmer ancestors enjoyed about 150 ingredients each week and no doubt had a more flourishing microbe gardens. Most people today consume only about twenty different food varieties in their weekly diet. Most of which are artificially refined and wreak havoc on the biodiversity of our microbiome.

According to recent studies the more diverse your gut microbes, the more likely you are to be healthy and lean, and the more sparse your microbes, the more likely you are to be overweight.

Several studies have determined that gut microbiota play an important role in weight management and regulation, and the research is continually pointing us in the same direction: a healthy GI tract can help create an environment more favourable for maintaining a healthy weight.

Your Gut is your Second Brain

Why do people get butterflies in the stomach before going on stage or when speaking before a large gathering? Why does an impending job interview sometimes cause an attack of intestinal cramps? The reason for these common experiences is because our gut is the second brain and is interconnected with the brain encased in our skull. When one gets upset, the other does, too.

Your Gut is The Key to Your Immune System

Your digestion actually plays a key role in your natural immunity to diseases. This is because your gut isn’t sterile. It’s actually an entire ecosystem of bacteria and yeast — some beneficial to you, others toxic.

When the intestinal ecosystem is healthy, the good bacteria keep yeasts and other fermentation microorganisms at bay in this part of the digestive tract. An imbalance of microorganisms, results in overgrowth of fungus and other pathogens, resulting in numerous digestive disorders.

Bacteria in your gut might sound like a bad thing, but your gut actually uses bacteria to process food into energy. This helpful or good bacteria is called probiotics. Many people are not familiar with probiotics. The truth is that proper digestion is essential to your health and probiotics are essential to your gut. Therefore, the best way to ensure a healthy gut environment is to maintain sufficient colonies of probiotics, the beneficial gut microbes that absorb vital nutrients, fortify your stomach and intestinal lining, and promote overall health and wellness. Probiotics are the seeds for your microbial garden. However, it goes without saying that some form of workout is essential. Exercisers with a normal BMI have more diverse microbes than exercisers with a high BMI. They also have higher levels of Akkermansiaceae, a type of bacteria that has been linked to lower obesity rates. So sweat daily to trim your gut—and to boost your gut bacteria.

Taking care of your Gut

Remove all food toxins from your diet
Eat plenty of fermentable fibers (starches like sweet potato, yam, yucca, etc.)
Take a high-quality probiotic
Treat any intestinal pathogens (such as parasites) that may be present
Take steps to manage your stress
Eat as many different whole foods as possible.
Eat fermented foods daily.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid junk food. However, if you occasionally eat junk food then make sure to also eat fibre rich food. Plenty of vegetables, fruit, and whole grain will help replenish good bacteria that the junk food has wiped out.

Diets high in refined carbohydrates, sugar and processed foods can contribute to unhealthy gut flora. Chronic stress and infection also play a key role in messing up our gut and make us fat and diabetic.

It’s interesting to note that the diabesity epidemic has neatly coincided with the increasing prevalence of factors that upset the gut flora. However, I am not suggesting that poor gut health is the single cause of obesity and diabetes, but I am suggesting that it plays a much larger role than most People think.

The bottom line

We’re only just beginning to understand the fascinating world of the beneficial bacteria that live within the human gut environment. However, what we’re learning is helping us to better understand and change the way we think how our bodies function. And most importantly how our gut functions. This new understanding along with a good diet and a plan for better gut care can address several important health issues.

In addition to healthy probiotic colonies, weight management still entails a balanced diet, stress management, and regular physical activity. But keep in mind that if your gut is unhealthy, you will not be able to fully benefit from these other important lifestyle changes.

The bottom line is that gut health should be a priority for everyone, but if you’ve struggled with losing weight, it may very well be the piece of the puzzle that you’ve been missing. An effective, multi-strain probiotic formula like Probiotic Extra care by PlantOrigin can easily help to rebalance your gut microbiome and can help you tip the scales in your favor, allowing you to experience a happier, healthier, and more vibrant lifestyle.

in Fitness / Growth / Men's Health / Nutrition / Women's Health 0 comments