<p>A compound found in turmeric may soon be available in the form of daily pills to boost your immunity and combat inflammation in the body.</p>.<p>A modified formulation of curcumin, a naturally occurring compound found in turmeric, releases its anti-inflammatory goodness throughout the body, the findings showed.<br /><br />Although known for promoting health by lowering inflammation, currently available curcumin supplements are not absorbed well by the body.<br /><br />Most curcumin in food or supplements stays in the gastrointestinal tract, and any portion that is absorbed is metabolised quickly.<br /><br />"This study suggests that we have identified a better and more effective way to deliver curcumin and know what diseases to use it for so that we can take advantage of its anti-inflammatory power," said lead author of the study Nicholas Young from Ohio State University.<br /><br />Curcumin powder mixed with castor oil and polyethylene glycol in a process called nano-emulsion, has the best potential against macrophage-associated inflammation, the researchers found in a mice study.<br /><br />Macrophages are important cells of the immune system<br /><br />Overactive macrophages has been linked to cardiovascular disease, disorders that accompany obesity, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and lupus-related nephritis.<br /><br />"We envision that this nutraceutical could be used one day both as a daily supplement to help prevent certain diseases and as a therapeutic drug to help combat the bad inflammation observed in many diseases," Young pointed out.<br /><br />"The distinction will then be in the amount given - perhaps a low dose for daily prevention and higher doses for disease suppression," Young added.<br /><br />The term nutraceutical refers to foods or nutrients that provide medical or health benefits.<br /><br />The study appeared in the journal PLOS ONE.</p>
<p>A compound found in turmeric may soon be available in the form of daily pills to boost your immunity and combat inflammation in the body.</p>.<p>A modified formulation of curcumin, a naturally occurring compound found in turmeric, releases its anti-inflammatory goodness throughout the body, the findings showed.<br /><br />Although known for promoting health by lowering inflammation, currently available curcumin supplements are not absorbed well by the body.<br /><br />Most curcumin in food or supplements stays in the gastrointestinal tract, and any portion that is absorbed is metabolised quickly.<br /><br />"This study suggests that we have identified a better and more effective way to deliver curcumin and know what diseases to use it for so that we can take advantage of its anti-inflammatory power," said lead author of the study Nicholas Young from Ohio State University.<br /><br />Curcumin powder mixed with castor oil and polyethylene glycol in a process called nano-emulsion, has the best potential against macrophage-associated inflammation, the researchers found in a mice study.<br /><br />Macrophages are important cells of the immune system<br /><br />Overactive macrophages has been linked to cardiovascular disease, disorders that accompany obesity, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and lupus-related nephritis.<br /><br />"We envision that this nutraceutical could be used one day both as a daily supplement to help prevent certain diseases and as a therapeutic drug to help combat the bad inflammation observed in many diseases," Young pointed out.<br /><br />"The distinction will then be in the amount given - perhaps a low dose for daily prevention and higher doses for disease suppression," Young added.<br /><br />The term nutraceutical refers to foods or nutrients that provide medical or health benefits.<br /><br />The study appeared in the journal PLOS ONE.</p>