Many studies have reported that curcumin, the key ingredient in the spice turmeric, is beneficial for your health, but why they can make this claim has not been determined. Now scientists at Oregon State University (OSU) have identified a reason why curcumin is good for you.
Turmeric has been an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine and various other healing practices for millennia because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In recent years, numerous studies have shown curcumin to be helpful in the management of a variety of health concerns, ranging from prostatitis and prostate cancer to arthritis and heartburn.
A secret of curcumin’s healing abilities appears to be its ability to increase the levels of a protein called cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP), which has a key role in the immune system that helps prevent infection. This discovery was uncovered by researchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, who collaborated with scientists from the University of Copenhagen.
Specifically, the researchers found that curcumin increased expression of the CAMP gene by nearly threefold, and thus could be helpful in preventing infection. Vitamin D also has the ability to boost expression of the CAMP gene, and it is more potent than curcumin in this regard.
Turmeric has been an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine and various other healing practices for millennia because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In recent years, numerous studies have shown curcumin to be helpful in the management of a variety of health concerns, ranging from prostatitis and prostate cancer to arthritis and heartburn.
A secret of curcumin’s healing abilities appears to be its ability to increase the levels of a protein called cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP), which has a key role in the immune system that helps prevent infection. This discovery was uncovered by researchers in the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, who collaborated with scientists from the University of Copenhagen.
Specifically, the researchers found that curcumin increased expression of the CAMP gene by nearly threefold, and thus could be helpful in preventing infection. Vitamin D also has the ability to boost expression of the CAMP gene, and it is more potent than curcumin in this regard.
