Turmeric might as well be one of the most popular spices and nutritional supplements are known to both holistic medical practitioners and the general public. But what exactly makes turmeric so special compared to the dozens upon dozens of other herbs and extracts out there? Primarily, the importance lies in one of the active compounds found in turmeric, called curcumin. 

Curcumin is the main bioactive constituent in turmeric, although turmeric contains many beneficial compounds known as ‘curcuminoids.’ Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a traditional spice, and as a therapeutic remedy. Research clearly demonstrates a strong correlation between this compound curcumin and improved neurological function, potent anti-inflammatory effects, high antioxidant capacity, improved heart health, arterial health and circulation, anti-cancer properties, significant benefit in fighting age-related disease, and improvement in cognitive decline. 

To reinstate – turmeric is a root or rhizome (part of the ginger family) with many beneficial compounds, like curcumin. Curcumin is a particular compound in turmeric that is extremely potent, with high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. This specific compound is where a lot of the research on the benefits of turmeric has been done, and the focus of research on turmeric as a supplement. Most will find benefit in supplementing with an extract that is specifically high potency curcumin, rather than just turmeric powder alone. Of course, turmeric is extremely healthy and has its own benefits that make it worth incorporating into your diet outside of supplementation. 

Unfortunately, a primary issue with curcumin (and turmeric – by extension) is the low bioavailability of curcumin by the body. This is why less benefit is derived from incorporating turmeric into cooking (or using a powdered turmeric supplement) as opposed to an optimized curcumin extract. Bioavailability, even with curcumin extracts, can still be an issue. 

Reasons attributed to this include poor absorption rates by the body, rapid metabolism of curcumin (and rapid elimination), and instability of the compound – all of these factors lead to curcumin being ‘active’ in the body for much shorter durations in addition to at a much lower concentration than what you think you might be getting. 

Many manufacturers have taken this into consideration when creating new formulations of curcumin or turmeric products – specifically with the aim in mind of making it more potent and bioavailable. 

This is an important consideration to keep in mind when looking or shopping for a curcumin supplement – the most potent and bioavailable supplements will be those that are micellar or micronized. Particles reduced to a smaller size, a nano-particle size, that is then encapsulated in lipids will help ensure they are broken down slowly and can circulate the body for longer in a much higher concentration. 

Other supplements will include turmeric polysaccharides (also derived from turmeric compounds) or other extracts like piperine (derived from black pepper) to help enhance absorption and bio-availability. 

Now that you know a little about the importance of bioavailability of curcumin, and the distinction between turmeric and curcumin extracts – what about all the proposed health benefits?  

One research paper indicates that there has been well over 18,000 published analysis, reviews, research papers, and manuscripts investigating or reporting the health benefits and properties of curcumin (most of them within the last 10 years). Most of them are looking at using curcumin as a treatment method in a variety of chronic ailments and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. 

The primary drawback most of these reports argue has to do with bioavailability – which we have already taken a look at!

There is clear evidence demonstrating curcumin’s therapeutic potential against an extremely wide array of health concerns and conditions. Curcumin demonstrates antitoxic capabilities in many bodily organs, including prevention and treatment of hepatotoxicity (liver damage), genotoxicity (DNA damage), cardiotoxicity (heart damage) and neurotoxicity (nervous system damage and brain function impairment). 

Another prized benefit of curcumin is the anti-cancer properties it has. Curcumin seems to have a profound impact on modulating cancer cell growth and proliferation. By that, we mean that curcumin inhibits the growth of human tumors in studies, and seems to prevent carcinogen cancers in animal studies. It has strong anti-proliferative effects to prevent the spread, development, and growth of various cancers. 

All of these reports and it is no surprise curcumin can also be beneficial for treating Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries. There is still no ‘cure’ for Alzheimer’s disease and this is why prevention, slowing progression, reducing inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and reversing plaque formation is essential. Curcumin has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. 

It is also evident that inflammation and oxidative damage plays a large factor in Alzheimer’s disease and curcumin has extremely potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities – more than the majority of supplements on the market. The most significant marker of the Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of protein tangles known as amyloid plaques. It is demonstrated in clinical studies that curcumin can help prevent accumulation and build-up these plaques. Curcumin may either slow down or reverse the progression and symptoms of the Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, along with others suffering from neurological disorders or recovering from traumatic brain injuries. 

Curcumin shows promise as a potent replacement for NSAIDs as well! These prescribed or OTC anti-inflammatory drugs are extremely common for those looking for pain relief. Unfortunately, they often come with extremely unwanted side effects from prolonged use like gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, along with the increased risk of kidney disease. 

When it comes to curcumin, most of the research on the benefits of curcumin supplements for joint pain, injury, diabetic neuropathy, or migraines comes from research with formulations that are not very bioavailable. Enhanced bioavailability (which is now common) should increase the already promising results of curcumin’s benefit for joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine, and neuropathy sufferers. 

Some may be wondering about curcumin and turmeric’s safety – especially when supplementing at higher doses. Those inquiring will be relieved to know that curcumin has an excellent safety profile – especially compared to many other herbal and traditional supplements. There have been numerous trials on the efficacy and safety of curcumin at an intake of 0-3mg/kg of body weight. Very few negative side effects have been reported in those exceeding that dosage – typically, these have been reports of nausea, diarrhea, and yellow stool. 

As always, for those with a pre-existing medical condition that are taking medications, or those who are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is always recommended to consult with a health care professional prior to use. 

Given curcumin’s general high safety profile, well-tolerated supplementation, and numerous range of benefits for no less than… cardiovascular health, neurological health, cognitive function, metabolic syndromes, inflammatory conditions, oxidative stress, arthritis, anxiety, depression, cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart disease… among various other conditions and chronic ailments, it is imperative for those seeking relief for health concerns to look into curcumin as a highly effective option. 

Even those without any ailments and in good health may find supplementing with a lower dose of curcumin beneficial for reducing risk of health concerns later in life as a preventative measure. It may also help improve mood and energy levels by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory after mental or physical stress. 

Curcumin has received a massive amount of attention over the last few decades publicly and for good reason. With curcumin, believe the hype.

The risk of infection increases with age

Things have no longer been the same after the introduction of the ‘Covid-19’ pandemic. The year has been uncertain for almost every one of us. Health has been a priority for nearly every age group, it’s the older adults who were at an increased rate of exposure. 

Ever since introducing this virus, older adults with underlying medical conditions are on the radar for contracting COVID-19 with severe symptoms. The new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 seems to have a severe effect among older adults compared to the younger masses. Therefore, to help you keep them safe and sound amidst the ongoing pandemic, this piece covers some tips to keep them safe and sound. Let’s get started!

Tips and Advice to protect Older Adults During Covid-19 

Given the fact that older adults are likely to get severely ill from COVID-19, here are some tips and advice to keep them safe during the pandemic: 

a.Keep their supplies and regular medications well-stocked: Given that older adults have underlying health conditions, they’re often prescribed daily medications. Considering their vulnerability to chronic diseases, keeping their medications well in stock is one of the primary tips that you should follow. 

The elderly rely on their younger ones for health and support. Therefore, in a situation where you need to stay away for a couple of days or weeks from your home, their medications won’t be a problem at all. Further, besides their medical supplies, you should also monitor other medical supplies and keep your resources handy. 

b.Keep their surroundings clean and sanitized: While washing your hands is a common practice over the last year, we suggest you get your entire family used to proper sanitization. However, things don’t end at carrying sanitizer hand rubs with you. To ensure proper sanitization, ensure that everyone at your home clears their clothes off any chances or virus as well.

Besides sanitizing the clothes, try ensuring that the elders stay in a sanitized surrounding as well. 

Try using all the latest sanitizing pieces of equipment and clean their surroundings at least once every day. This way, you can ensure maximum protection for them and their surroundings. Further, it would also be a smart move to do their Covid-19 testing, every once in a while to ensure their complete safety.

c.Align their checkups to telemedicine: Covid-19 has been an era of innovation for the healthcare sectors. With social distancing becoming the norm for doctors and patients, regular checkups have been modified to become something new. Yes, the pandemic has pushed the trend of telemedicine (treatments via calls and messages). 

Therefore, if you have older adults around you that are in need of regular checkups, it’s suggested that you schedule their meetings via online calls or chat support. This way, you can ensure their security by keeping them away from any possible chance of infection.

d.Engage them into health-building exercises: Given the fact that almost everyone is used to staying inside our houses now, it’s time to introduce every member of the family to healthy exercises. To ensure proper safety of the elderly around, ensure that they maintain a healthy physical life by incorporating exercise into their schedule. 

Further, since the Covid strain can easily affect people with lower immunity, it is also suggested that you incorporate healthy food and nutritional supplements into their daily lifestyle.  

Safety Precautions to Keep you Aware of the Covid-19 for Elderly

Health conditions among the older adults that could lead to a severe complications from COVID-19:

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
2. Serious heart conditions, or cardiomyopathies
3. Kidney disease
4. Sickle cell disease
5. A weakened immune system from a solid organ transplant
6. Type 2 diabetes
7. Obesity, which occurs in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher

Symptoms you should be well-aware of!

• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle aches and pains
• Loss of taste or smell
• Repeated shaking with chills

While these were some of the most common symptoms, it should be noted that different strains of the virus have been reported around the globe. Therefore, it is always a wise move to keep yourself updated from the different types of symptoms that are coming up. 

Keep Yourself and the Elders around you Safe & Sound! 

As per the latest reports from May 1, 2021, almost 82% of adults aged 65 and older had previously received over one dose of the vaccine. While the numbers of Covid-19 cases, hospital admissions, and emergency department visits have declined significantly, the risk is not yet over. 

Further, it needs to be understood that it is a trying time for adults as well. The quarantine has had 

adverse effects on us, it’s time for every member of the family to come together and live like a family.

Vitamin deficiency is one of the primary reasons for premature illness in people. Given our choices of an active lifestyle, most of us overlook the significance of consuming an array of vitamins and nutrients. The on-the-go lifestyle makes it nearly impossible to consume all the essential nutrients in a given time, making it one of the primary reasons that the genZ relies on multivitamins. 

Consuming a composite of essential nutrients becomes necessary after a certain age. While many argue that all nutrients are found in healthy food, studies beg to differ. 

Different studies conclude that the optimum intake of nutrients occurs when one indulges in a balanced diet and specific multivitamins. However, before you start consuming them, you need to have enough information on multivitamins before choosing one for yourself. 

Thus, we have curated this article to help you understand what these vitamins are, what they contain and their health benefits. 

What are Multivitamins, and What Do They Contain?

Multivitamins, also known as multiples, or just vitamins, refer to the supplements containing various minerals and vitamins essential to our body. Multivitamins best should be taken once or twice a day. However, one should always consult their doctor before incorporating multivitamins into their diet. 

Getting professional help points you to the specific multivitamins your body requires and the vitamin’s optimum dose. 

For example, calcium tablets are the best multivitamins for women as women exhibit more illness from calcium deficit than men. 

Multivitamins are available as capsules, tablets, liquids, powders, and chewable gummies. However, the best form of multivitamins is effervescence. This allows the multivitamins to remain in their original form, thus giving the best results. 

Multivitamins are necessary for your health – they can help you boost your immunity, keep your organs and nerves in a better condition, and even help produce certain hormones and enzymes. These vitamins can also be required for proper regulation, growth, maintenance, and reproduction in the human body. 

While the composition of multivitamins differs from each other due to differences in product and brand, some components like Iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D are present in most of them. 

What Health Benefits do Multivitamins have?

Multivitamins have the following health benefits:

• Heart Disease – While many believe that taking multivitamins did not reduce or lower the risk of heart diseases, recent studies suggest otherwise. While men did not show much difference with the intake of multivitamins, women who take them for over three years showed a much lower risk of heart diseases. 
• Effect on Cancer- The effect of multivitamins on cancer has a very mixed review. While some suggest that multivitamins do not affect the risk of cancer, some suggest it does lower the risk marginally. According to the latest study by Physicians’ Health Study II, there have been lower cancer risks in people who have taken a steady dose of multivitamins over time.
• Brain Function- According to many studies, multivitamins proved to have a positive effect on brain function. Older women have shown better memory, better mood with the regular, regulated intake of multivitamins. Studies have also concluded that proper multivitamins can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. 
• Effect on Eyes- Intake of multivitamins has also shown clear signs of reducing macular degeneration due to extreme old age. Studies have also shown that it can reduce cataracts in some cases.  

7 Ingredients That Should Be a Part of Your Multivitamin 

While the composition of your multivitamins differ based on product and brand, the following are the 7 ingredients are should be a part of your multivitamin:

• Vitamin D- Vitamin D is the most essential ingredient for your multivitamins. It is necessary for better bone health, better absorption of calcium, boosting immunity system, lessen the risk of back and bone pain, and also repairs hair loss. Vitamin D is necessary for those who live in places with low sunlight and are not exposed to their daily dose of natural Vitamin D. 
• Calcium- Calcium is a necessary ingredient, especially in multivitamins for women. Women are prone to calcium deficiency with old age and require enough calcium to maintain their bone density and fight joint pain.
• Magnesium- Magnesium helps boost our energy, maintain bone health, reduce stress, regulate sleep, regulate nerve function, and balance our blood sugar level.  
• Zinc- Zinc is a necessary ingredient in multivitamins for the elderly. It helps to boost the immunity system while also boosting energy by the correct use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It can also help to speed up any wound healing and helps people with a lot of stress.
• Folic Acid- Folic Acid or Folate is another necessary ingredient in multivitamins. It is necessary to eradicate birthing defects and help in proper fetus development in pregnant women. It also helps in fighting any inflammation, fighting depression, and better growth of nails. 
• Iron- Iron helps in boosting energy, increase red blood cells, and healthier brain function. Multivitamins for women should contain more iron as many women face iron deficiency during pregnancy, puberty, and the menstrual cycle. 
• Vitamin B-12- Vitamin B-12 is essential for keeping the blood cells and nerves healthy in the human body, helps sustain energy, and helps in DNA formation. Vitamin B-12 is very much necessary for vegans as B-12 is primarily found in eggs, fish, poultry, and meat. 

Can Multivitamins be Harmful? 

Multivitamins can be harmful if taken in the wrong and high doses. Therefore, one should take multivitamins after consulting with their doctor. Taking the right multivitamin is essential as everyone’s body weight, structure, and medical history might not be the same. 

For example, congenital disabilities form in pregnant women who take too much Vitamin A. Overdose of iron in some cases can also lead to fainting, vomiting, constipation, and stomach upset. Smokers are also restricted from intaking too much Vitamin A or Beta Carotene multivitamins as it can lead to lung cancer. 

Conclusion

From this article, we can derive that multivitamins are great supplements that help you get some of the nutrients your body requires. However, one should not try to compensate for a poorly-maintained diet with the overuse of multivitamins. Nutrients are best found in whole, fresh foods, and multivitamins can only act as an additional supplement. We suggest consulting a doctor to prescribe which multivitamins you might require.