John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

My motorcycle tour around Rajasthan in India last year was a feast for my senses, including of course my taste buds. Most curry recipes contain the brilliant yellow spice turmeric. It has also been a mainstay of Indian Ayurvedic medicine where it is used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-supporting qualities.

The active ingredient in turmeric is the yellow pigment curcumin, which makes up about five per cent of turmeric powder. While the benefits of curcumin have been part of Indian healing for centuries, it is now the focus of Western scientific research.

Scientists have identified the potent anti-inflammatory capacity of curcumin acts on the same inflammatory pathways as many common anti-inflammatory drugs without the common side effects. An excellent study titled ‘Curcumin: a new paradigm and therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of osteoarthritis' (Henrotin et al, Springerplus 2013) investigated the application of curcumin in osteoarthritis.

The study concluded: 'Curcumin represents a new paradigm since it is not yet a recommended intervention in OA but should be considered based on its safety and efficacy”.

The study outlines the impact of curcumin on several anti-inflammatory pathways including inhibiting the highly inflammatory enzyme COX-2. This enzyme is the target of most anti-inflammatory drugs; and while effective these drugs come with a range of often serious side effects.

I use curcumin in several of my formulas. I use it as part of an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory formula and as part of my joint support formula. Many products contain whole turmeric, which has about five per cent curcumin.

I use a standardised extract of 95 per cent curcumin extract and have created a proprietary blend to improve curcumin absorption into damage joints.This is especially effective when combined with high grade chondroitin and glucosamine.If you need more information give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz Join my full weekly newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more, go to: www.sunlive.co.nz