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WEEKLY
COLUMBIA MIDTOWN PRESENTS:
6.13.2015
HEALTH NUGGET
MidtownChurch.net
Turmeric and Depression
Depressive disorders affect millions of Americans every year. They can damage family relationships, affect
job or school performance and be risk factors for physical health problems as well. There are many
prescription drugs available nowadays, and while they may be an improvement over first-generation
antidepressants, they still carry with them an array of side effects that many people would like to avoid.
There are, however, natural options to help treat depression, especially if it is mild to moderate in nature.
A balanced diet, rest, regular exercise and stress management can all help this condition. And,
increasingly, researchers are finding that depression is also responsive to treatment with natural
supplements like curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.
New landmark study
A landmark study on curcumin and its effects on depression, however, could spell new hope and an
increased quality of life for those suffering from this disorder. The new breakthrough research concluded
that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in treating depressive disorders but lacked any serious side
effects and was well-tolerated by patients across the board.
This study holds weight because it was randomized and controlled, and it also offers hope that natural
therapies will be a viable option for this disorder. Researchers believe that the effectiveness of curcumin
stems from the fact that it can inhibit monoamine oxidase, an enzyme which is linked to depression if
found in the brain in high levels. It can also help, at the same time, to raise the levels of serotonin and
dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of calm and well-being. The combination of these things
is a potent one and people in this study reported, with regular use of curcumin, significant reduction in
their emotional symptoms.
Effective relief without side effects
The ability of this deep-gold spice, so common in Indian curries and other dishes, to curb depression and
act upon dopamine and serotonin levels truly does seem to be able to treat the symptoms of depressive
disorders naturally and effectively.
One of the best things about curcumin is that, to date, it has shown no negative side effects.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of prescription antidepressants which can bring with them issues
like sleep disturbances, an increase in anxiety and even serious problems like schizophrenic behavior. It is
no wonder, with problems like this, why more patients are seeking natural relief.
So, if some form of depressive disorder is a problem, then consider the possibility of using turmeric or
curcumin supplementation to help treat this condition. This study certainly shows that there are natural
alternatives available for those who wish to treat their depression without suffering from the side effects of
mainstream prescription drugs.
Sources:
http://www.turmericforhealth.com
http://www.lef.org
http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/how-...
truthwiki.org/Turmeric
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/z049868_turmeric_depression_remedy_curcumin.html
Recipe for Turmeric Tea
Basic Recipe: Take four cups of water and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon turmeric. Reduce the heat and let it
simmer for at least 10 minutes. Strain this using a fine sieve. Add lemon or honey to taste.
As a variation, a teaspoon of ginger can be added to the turmeric tea. Good quality turmeric powder must be
used for this recipe. However, grating fresh turmeric root each time you brew your tea can provide a richer
flavor.
Since the health benefits of turmeric are widely known, turmeric root is available in most grocery stores
worldwide.
This is the basic recipe to prepare turmeric tea. You can use different ingredients depending on your specific
preferences. There are turmeric tea bags available for those who do not have the time to brew a cup from
scratch. However, the best flavor can be obtained from brewing a cup using fresh ingredients.
Creamy Turmeric Tea: This is a tasty variation to the basic turmeric tea recipe. Take a cup of coconut or
almond milk and warm it gently. Mix turmeric (1/2 teaspoon), pinch of chopped ginger root (1/2 inch), 1-1/2
teaspoon of any sweetener, cardamom, or honey in a mug. Pour a little of the warmed milk onto the mixture
and mix till all lumps are removed. Mix in the rest of the milk and strain before drinking. This recipe could be
used to soothe a sore throat, runny nose or relieve stress after a hard day of work.
A word of caution ..
Clinical studies have not been conducted on the health benefits of turmeric. Turmeric tea drunk in excess
could cause liver damage in those who are already prone to liver disease. It could also affect those with
gallbladder disease, those who take blood thinner medications, drugs for diabetes or stomach acid-reducers.
Drinking excessive turmeric tea can also cause circulatory problems. Pregnant women are advised to control
consumption since it could stimulate the uterus.
“Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with
silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” Psalm 68:13