Turmeric for Gout
Turmeric is a traditional spice that’s been used for thousands of years. You probably have this bright yellow spice in your kitchen if you’re into making savory Indian meals. But if not, you might want to add this item into your pantry as it’s been known to help with gout.
Where Does Turmeric Come From?
Turmeric belongs in the ginger family and its use goes beyond the kitchen. It’s an ancient spice from India known for its healing properties. In fact, it’s been used to treat various ailments such as wounds, sprains, stomach aches, eczema, shingles, chickenpox, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.
The key compound that makes turmeric so powerful is curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and antitumor. It’s no wonder why it can heal so many health problems! And yet not enough people take turmeric daily. Don’t worry because later on, I’ll share with you the different ways you can add turmeric in your diet.
First, let’s talk about how turmeric can be beneficial for gout.
How Does Turmeric Help with Gout?
As we mentioned earlier, turmeric is known to help with arthritis. Gout is a type of arthritis which means you can greatly benefit from taking turmeric regularly.
What turmeric does is fight inflammation by reducing the activity of xanthine oxidase. This is the enzyme that’s involved in uric acid production. This is the same exact mechanism that happens when you take gout medication like allopurinol.
At the moment, there are not enough studies linking the use of turmeric with gout relief. However, more research is growing regarding turmeric and rheumatoid arthritis, which is closely related to gout.
In one study published in the Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune disease, they found that participants who took a purified curcumin extract called Flexofytol had experienced relief.
Another study by the University of Arizona College of Medicine found turmeric’s beneficial effect on rheumatoid arthritis. They first induced rheumatoid arthritis on mice and then gave them turmeric. The result was decreased swelling and inflammation in the mice’s joints.
Turmeric prevents the production of prostaglandins which is a hormone related to pain. In addition, it also caused the adrenal gland to produce more cortisone which helped relieve the inflammation. By decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, it’s possible that uric acid can also be controlled.
Other Health Benefits of Turmeric
● Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory which means it can fight against inflammatory conditions like arthritis, pancreatitis, and bowel disease.
● Turmeric boosts the immune system making you less likely to get sick and develop chronic conditions.
● Turmeric helps prevent Alzheimer’s thanks to its antioxidant properties which prevent damage associated with the disease.
● Turmeric lowers the bad cholesterol in your body, putting you at less risk for conditions like heart disease and stroke.
● Turmeric might help treat and prevent diabetes thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These components of turmeric help with high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.
● Turmeric increases your body’s antioxidant capacity. This helps neutralize free radicals which are associated with certain diseases and cancers.
● Turmeric can help with skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and photoaging.
● Turmeric can prevent cancer since most tumor growth is associated with inflammation in the body. Turmeric works by disrupting cancer cells and even causing cancer cell death.
● Turmeric may treat depression by boosting BDNF levels, a brain-derived neurotrophic factor which at reduced levels, has been linked to depression. The curcumin in turmeric is als able to boost brain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
9 Ways to Incorporate Turmeric Into Your Life
1. Simple turmeric tonic
The easiest way to take turmeric is by adding a teaspoon of this powder to a glass of water and drink it straight. You can do this first thing in the morning or before your workout to get your joints ready.
2. Turmeric as tea or latte
You can get a bit more creative with your tonic and drink it as tea or latte. Simmer milk of your choice and add turmeric and honey to it.
3. Add it to rice
Bring some color to your rice by adding a bit of turmeric powder to the pot. A little sprinkle goes a long way.
4. Add it to roasted and sauteed vegetables
Turmeric has a slightly peppery flavor so don’t hesitate to add it to your favorite roasted veggies. It works best with vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, and root vegetables. If you’re sauteed greens like kale, collards, and cabbage, you can add turmeric as well.
5. Add to soups
If you’re making a bowl of veggie or chicken soup, just sprinkle a little bit of turmeric to make it a heartier meal.
6. Mix with eggs or frittata
Making scrambled eggs in the morning? Boost its health benefits by adding a pinch of turmeric. Don’t worry about ruining the flavor since turmeric has a very subtle taste.
7. Add to curry
This one’s pretty obvious but turmeric works best when making those vibrant indian dishes. The most popular one is curry.
8. Blend into smoothies and juice
You have the option to use turmeric powder or fresh turmeric root here. Throw it in your smoothie or juice mix for an extra health boost. Again, a little bit of turmeric won’t ruin the flavor of your morning drink.
9. Apply topically
Turmeric can also be applied topically. You can make your own turmeric paste by mixing a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a tablespoon of yogurt, honey, or coconut oil. Apply it on the affected joint and leave for 15 minutes.
Bonus tip: To really get the best of turmeric, you want to pair it with black pepper. Black pepper makes turmeric more bioavailable which means you’re able to get the benefits better.
Turmeric Supplements
You can also take turmeric supplements. It’s a great way to get more turmeric into your system without having to think about how you will add it on your next meal. You can buy turmeric supplements at your nearest health store or you can purchase it online.
What has your experience been like using turmeric as a remedy for gout? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.