Latest news with #turmeric
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The #1 Spice for Gut Health, According to Gastroenterologists
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDKey Points Gut health influences inflammation, disease risk and overall health. Turmeric may help improve gut health by reducing inflammation and improving the microbiome. Also include plenty of plants and fermented foods for a healthy the world of wellness trends, there's no denying that gut health has gained immense popularity. Terms like probiotics, good bacteria and microbiome have become part of our common vocabulary. The increased focus is well-deserved, as a rapidly growing body of research shows that gut health is connected to almost every other aspect of our overall health. Keeping your gut healthy involves eating a varied, balanced diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean protein and fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi. And be sure to take a look at the spices in your pantry. Not only do herbs and spices add flavor, but they are also packed with nutrients that can support your gut-health goals. To get you started, we asked gut-health experts for their thoughts on the top spice for gut health—both said turmeric. Why Turmeric Is So Great for Gut Health When asked, both gastroenterologists recommend turmeric, a colorful and warming spice that can fit into just about any meal. Here's why. 'Turmeric is a relative of ginger that has a warm, slightly bitter flavor and a bold orange color that gets showcased in Indian and Southeast Asian food. But beyond its culinary uses, turmeric is known for its potential health benefits due to the active ingredient curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties,' says Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist. One catch with turmeric is that curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body. There is a workaround for this, though, and it is adding black pepper when you eat turmeric. According to Bulsiewicz, a compound in black pepper called piperine increases curcumin's bioavailability, allowing your body to absorb it better. Here are the two main reasons turmeric is GI docs' top spice for gut health. It May Support a Healthier Gut Microbiome Research has found that the relationship between turmeric's curcumin and your microbiome is a two-way street. First, curcumin helps maintain a positive balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Second, all that 'good' gut bacteria breaks down the curcumin to create antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, which support your gut and overall health. It Might Reduce Inflammation Ground turmeric has a golden hue, while fresh turmeric is a bright orange. Foods with rich, deep colors like this contain high amounts of polyphenols. These compounds found in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices offer potential health benefits. For example, polyphenols may help lower inflammation, and they also have antioxidant properties that neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Turmeric has been associated with lower levels of inflammation in research, thanks in large part to its polyphenol content. 'Studies have shown that curcumin can help promote a healthy gut microbiome, reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),' says Ritu Nahar, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist. Most current research on the effects that curcumin from turmeric may have on IBS has focused on supplements versus food. It's important to note that the amount of curcumin in an extract will far exceed what's found in food. However, the results are promising. For example, a review of nine studies found that when participants took a supplement with curcumin or turmeric extract, their IBS symptoms (particularly abdominal pain) and quality of life improved. Benefits of a Healthy Gut While the primary purpose of your digestive system (or 'gut') is to process food, the influence of the gut is far-reaching. Your gut plays an active role in everything from immunity and mood to your weight and the quality of your sleep. A healthy gut microbiome is also important for disease prevention and management, including a potential reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Keeping your gut in tip-top shape is all about balance. There are trillions of bacteria living in the gut, which are collectively known as the gut microbiome. Within that microbiome, there are good and bad bacteria. Prioritizing healthy diet and lifestyle habits helps the number of good bacteria outweigh the bad and maintains diversity in those bacteria, both of which are needed for gut health. Other Strategies to Improve Gut Health If you are looking for more ways to support your gut health, Bulsiewicz and Nahar provided some suggestions to get you started. Eat More Plants It's probably no surprise that eating more plant foods is at the top of this list. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts and legumes are rich in soluble fiber and resistant starches, which our gut bacteria metabolize to create a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate. 'Butyrate has a number of beneficial effects on our gut bacteria, on our gut barrier, on our immune system and throughout our entire body," says Bulsiewicz. "In short, if there were one thing that I would want more of for gut health, it would be butyrate.' Manage Stress There's a strong connection between the gut and brain. And it's thought that chronic stress can negatively impact gut health over time by reducing beneficial bacteria and increasing inflammation and intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut syndrome. Nahar recommends practicing stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation and deep-breathing or diaphragmatic-breathing exercises, and states that doing so may help balance the nervous system and support healthy digestion. Focus on Hydration Besides inadequate fiber intake, a common culprit for digestive woes is dehydration. Adequate hydration helps your digestive system work properly by softening stool and supporting the mucosal lining of the intestines. If you often reach for carbonated beverages to meet your hydration goals, stick to moderation. Nahar explains they may cause aerophagia, or essentially the problem of swallowing too much air. 'The main symptom of this is excessive flatulence and bloating,' says Nahar. Include Prebiotics and Probiotics If you're looking to support a diverse and thriving gut microbiome, you'll want to reach for the 'biotic' foods. The more well-known of the two is probiotics, which are live microorganisms in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut that may boost your microbiome's diversity. Prebiotics will help feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut and are found in foods like garlic, onion, bananas and many other whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Our Expert Take Eating a diverse diet that includes plenty of plant foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help keep your gut microbiome happy and thriving. Be sure to include some herbs and spices in your meals to maximize your gut health. We recommend incorporating more turmeric with black pepper in your meals to boost the number of good gut microbes in your digestive system and tamp down inflammation. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Brothers showcase turmeric and its golden status in Macanese cuisine
03:53 Casa Maquista chefs highlight turmeric's role in Macau's culinary identity Casa Maquista chefs highlight turmeric's role in Macau's culinary identity Back in the 1500s, when the Portuguese were sailing to and from Asia on their spice trade routes, turmeric was among the goods carried aboard their ships. This earthy, warm spice from the ginger family is instantly recognisable for its golden-orange hue and prized for its superfood properties. Fast-forward to 2025, and brothers Pedro and Mauro Almeida are experiencing their home country's maritime history in their own way. Both came to Macau from Portugal and are discovering the aromatic power of turmeric through their work as executive chefs of Casa Maquista, a Macanese restaurant located in the city's Taipa Village. Brothers Pedro (left) and Mauro Almeida are executive chefs at Casa Maquista, a restaurant located in Macau's Taipa Village that specialises in Macanese cuisine. 'If I have to pick a spice to represent Macau, it will be turmeric – it is found in a majority of Macanese recipes,' Mauro says. Pedro moved to Macau first, in 2016, and his first taste of the local cuisine was at a friend's home. His initial impression was that of familiarity: 'I found it similar to some Portuguese dishes, although it seems like they replaced the main ingredient with something sourced locally. It happens in many Macanese dishes.' He notes that the elements of Macanese cooking mirror the centuries-old sailing routes of Portuguese explorers and traders. 'In my opinion, Macanese cuisine reflects the journey of the Portuguese around the world. They picked ingredients from Brazil, ingredients from Africa, ingredients from India. And when they arrived in Macau, they finally put it all together and they created Macanese cuisine.' Mauro, who arrived in Macau in 2018, says: 'The flavours are very similar to Portuguese cuisine, but they have the smell of Asian cuisine.'
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Woman nearly dies after taking dangerous amount of popular supplement: ‘I was very, very, very scared'
A New Jersey woman says she almost died after taking daily turmeric pills, a popular supplement found in grocery stores. Katie Mohan, a 57-year-old from Morristown, told she sustained liver damage after taking daily pills of turmeric, a yellow spice widely used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Mohan said her first symptoms included fatigue, nausea, stomach pain and yellowing eyes, which are a sign of jaundice. Mohan first saw her doctor in April, but the scans and tests ordered came back normal. Her symptoms continued to get worse until June, when Mohan read an NBC News story about a man with similar symptoms who found out he had a drug-induced liver injury after taking turmeric daily. 'I threw [the supplements] out, and I said to myself, 'I'm wondering if this is what's causing my symptoms,'' Mohan told Mohan bought the turmeric pills, which were manufactured by YouTheory, at Costco, reports. The product states the daily dose is three pills containing 2,250 milligrams, Mohan said, which is over the World Health Organization's recommendation of up to 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. After reading the NBC News article, Mohan went to urgent care. From there, she was admitted to Morristown Medical Center, where doctors found that she had severe liver damage. She was treated with an antiviral IV drip, but her skin was still yellowing. Mohan recalled thinking: 'Am I going to need a liver transplant? Am I going to die?' 'I was very, very, very scared,' she added. That's when she was transferred to NYU Langone in New York. There, her doctor found 'evidence of acute hepatitis, impending liver failure and potential transplant evaluation.' 'She was really very sick,' Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, told 'Her liver numbers were 60 to 70 times above the normal limit. And she was very yellow.' Mohan said Pyrsopoulos confirmed her fears that the turmeric caused her symptoms. 'He's like, 'You essentially poisoned the liver with the turmeric,'' she said. 'It was the dose combined with the fact that it had that black pepper in it.' Pyrsopoulos told that his hospital sees three to four liver transplants per year related to turmeric poisoning. Mohan has since been discharged and says her liver enzyme levels are still elevated, but they're continuing to fall and her symptoms have completely disappeared. Mohan has since reported the supplements to the Food and Drug Administration.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
World leading expert warns that most people are taking popular supplement WRONG: 'You're putting yourselves at risk'
A world leading doctor has raised the alarm over turmeric supplements, and says that they could cause life-threatening liver damage. Turmeric has long been lauded for its anti-inflammatory benefits, and hailed as a natural remedy which can be used to treat everything from arthritis to heart disease. Some researchers even believe that the spice might be effective in supporting cancer treatments, reducing the chance of the disease spreading. As a result, turmeric supplements have taken the wellness world by storm, with around half of all adults in the UK currently taking supplements on a regular basis. Yet, Dr Jen Gunter, a leading gynecologist, has now warned: 'There is no good science to support turmeric supplements for any health outcome, so why take the risk?' Turmeric is made by breaking down the dried rootstalk of turmeric plants, so that it can be used in everything from curries to coffees. In this state very little of the active ingredient—curcumin, which gives the spice its bright yellow colour—can be absorbed by the body. 'Food and supplements are not the same thing,' Dr Gunter warned her 372,000 followers in an Instagram video. 'You can't compare something that you're taking with a bowl of protein of fibre, with something you're taking as a pill,' she added. But now supplement manufactures are pairing curcumin with piperine—a compound found in black pepper—to boost its absorption by up to 2,000 per cent. 'Turmeric, the spice by itself, is not actually absorbed very well,' Dr Gunter explained. 'But these turmeric products that have really flooded the market are all designed to enhance absorption.' This carries significant health risks as in high doses, curcumin can interact with the efficacy of other drugs including antibiotics and blood pressure medications. In the most extreme cases, turmeric supplements have been linked with severe liver damage. Dr Gunter said: 'Experts in this space are really concerned that the rise in liver toxicity that we're seeing is paralleling these products that are designed to enhance absorption.' In a study published in The American Journal of Medicine researchers looked at the number of turmeric-associated liver injury cases recorded in the US between 2004 and 2022. They discovered 10 cases of liver damage caused by the spice. Five people were hospitalised and one person died of acute liver failure. The 62-year-old woman had no history of liver disease and was taking turmeric root extract for her arthritis. She was also taking tramadol—a strong painkiller—a nasal decongestant for her allergies, and other multivitamins including ginger and vitamin D. She developed fatigue and nausea followed by jaundice, after taking turmeric once daily for 14 months. A liver that is working poorly cannot get rid of bilirubin—a substance that triggers yellowing of the eyes and skin, medically known as jaundice. She stopped taking the supplement, but her symptoms did not improve and she was listed for a liver transplant. She died within five weeks of the onset of symptoms. Doctors concluded that the liver failure was likely caused by the turmeric supplements, which could have interacted with the other medications she was taking. High doses of curcumin have also been shown to have a blood-thinning effect, putting people who take anticoagulants at increased risk of dangerous bleeding. Dr Gunter also warned that the supplements could interfere with the absorption of iron, an essential mineral important in making red blood cells that carry life-giving oxygen around the body. A lack of iron can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which can be particularly dangerous for women who lose a lot of blood during their period. It comes as the latest official figures show the number of Brits being hospitalised for malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies has almost tripled in a decade. In 2022, there were more than 800,000 admissions in England and Wales with conditions linked to poor nutrition, including 'Victorian' illnesses scurvy and rickets. Iron deficiency was the biggest problem, NHS data revealed, with admissions for the bone-weakening condition shooting up by 149 per cent since 2013.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Woman hospitalized for liver damage from taking turmeric supplement
A New Jersey woman, Katie Mohan, suffered severe liver damage, which doctors attributed to her daily intake of turmeric supplements. Mohan experienced symptoms including fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice, leading to her admission to hospital with impending liver failure. Doctors confirmed that the turmeric supplements, specifically the high dose combined with black pepper, had poisoned her liver. The product, manufactured by YouTheory and bought at Costco, recommended a daily dose exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. Mohan has since recovered, though her liver enzyme levels remain elevated, and has reported the supplements to the Food And Drug Administration.
