Curcumin and your liver: Let's drink to Curcumin!
Alcohol abuse is a chief cause of death and despair throughout the world today. Even in the cases when alcohol does not prove fatal, it can harm the body. Almost all the alcohol that is ingested by a person is processed in the liver. Hence, the chances of acute or chronic liver damage are high when one drinks excessively. Consequently, liver cirrhosis resulting from alcohol abuse is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States.
Alcohol has a long association with Curcumin, beginning with its very extraction. Cleaned and dried turmeric, from which Curcumin is derived, is dissolved in alcohol and then filtered to transform it to a medicinal tincture.
The latest studies have demonstrated that Curcumin can prevent a few of the adverse effects that binge drinking might have on one's liver. Animal studies have shown that Turmeric can protect the liver from the damaging effects of a number of chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen. The latter compound is better known as Paracetamol, a medicine ordinarily used for headaches and pains. Although its usage is extremely common, it can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities or in someone who drinks regularly.
There are three primary types of liver disease that are caused by alcohol. The first is steatosis, or fatty liver, in which fat builds up on the hepatocytes (liver cells). A more commonly occurring disease is hepatitis, which is characterized by liver dysfunction and complicated by jaundice and other conditions. The third is cirrhosis, a condition in which nodules developing on the liver can lead to end-stage liver disease and death. Recent research indicates that Turmeric may be effective in preventing alcohol-related as well as other liver diseases like necrosis or fatty livers.
Research at Helsinki University Central Hospital says that Curcumin somehow blocks the activation of a key molecule called nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB). This molecule is activated by many stimuli including radiation, heat shock and endotoxins, and is responsible for the chain of events that lead to inflammation and death of tissues. The liver acts as a filter and deactivates the endotoxins, but, in the process, NFkB is activated. This molecule is involved with a number of tissues that are sensitive to alcohol. Curcumin can suppress its activation which led scientists to believe that Turmeric might be useful in preventing alcoholic liver disease (ALD). In an experimental study, it was found that inebriated rats who received doses of Curcumin did not develop fatty livers, necrosis or inflammation, as opposed to those who were not given the spice extract.
With Curcumin being a safe and easy treatment to administer, the results of this study have immense therapeutic implications for people who are at risk for ALD. However, till date, only Curcumin's preventive power has been demonstrated. It is not yet certain if Curcumin can be used to treat already established ALD.
The research on ALD-prevention adds to existing repertoire of Curcumin's benefits, which include anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. It is no wonder that Turmeric is known as the king of spices in Ayurvedic medicine. It not only cleanses the liver and purifies the blood, it also aids digestion.
In India, Turmeric is used as a tonic for the stomach and liver. Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine recommend that people detoxify their livers once every year with Turmeric to ensure its smooth and healthy functioning. A poor diet, pollutants in the air you breathe, and physical stress can make your liver toxic and sluggish so that it fails to function efficiently. An impaired liver can lead to dire consequences for your overall well-being.
Turmeric helps the liver by increasing the bile flow. This way, it removes the accumulated toxins and rejuvenates the liver cells, recharging them to resume breaking down toxins. It can shrink engorged hepatic ducts. Curcumin prevents alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that will prove harmful for the liver. Its effects are not limited to alcohol-related diseases. It can also protect the liver from the adverse effects of excessive iron consumption. The liver-protecting compounds in Turmeric are similar to those found in milk thistle and artichoke leaves.
Turmeric aids in reversing the symptoms and complications of various diseases of the liver like cirrhosis, hepatitis and jaundice. But its real value lies in the versatility of its usage. Because its curative properties are generic, it has numerous possible applications. Not only does it target specific illnesses, it can also, when taken as a supplement, contribute to an overall sense of well-being.
