ARTICLES > Curcumin May Prevent Heart Failure

There is a new Superstar herb on the block. That herb is curcumin. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric and has recently been shown to block inflammation, stop cancer, kill infectious microbes, and improve heart health.

Hundreds of cases of curcumin research and experiments have been conducted by reputable researchers that have demonstrated curcumin's ability to halt or prevent certain types of cancer, stop inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, prevent cataracts, kill or inhibit the toxic effects of certain microbes including fungi and dangerous parasites, and protect, at least in the laboratory, against the damaging effects of heterocyclic amines (potentially carcinogenic compounds found in some cooked foods).

As one investigative team declared: "[Curcumin] has been proven to exhibit remarkable anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties."

As if that were not enough, curcumin research shows promise as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis, and may ameliorate the damaging effects of long-term diabetes. It is even being investigated as a topical treatment to speed diabetic wound healing. Some researchers also have noted an exciting link between turmeric consumption and a dramatically decreased incidence of Alzheimer's disease, an effect that may well be related to curcumin's ability to block signaling pathways that lead to inflammation.

The healing properties of turmeric have been well known in eastern cultures for some time. The herb has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine to reduce scar formation. For example, when there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder because it can help to heal without leaving a bad scar.

According to Peter Munk at the Cardiac Centre of the Toronto General Hospital, found when the herb Cucumin is given orally to a variety of mouse models with enlarged hearts (hypertrophy), it can prevent and reverse hypertrophy and restore heart function and reduce scar formation.

Unlike most natural compounds whose effects are minimal, curcumin works directly in the cell nucleus by preventing abnormal unraveling of the chromosome under stress, and preventing excessive abnormal protein production.

The best source of Curcumin is a natural extract from turmeric root. Get your daily dose of tumeric by drinking the green drink Farmacy Pro Power available at www.organicsnacks.wholefoodfarmacy.com