Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Anti-Inflammatory Spices: Turmeric & Ginger

Chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to the development of many age related health conditions, including Alzheimer's. Although this process may be barely noticeable, there are things you can do to prevent or delay health issues related to inflammation. In the case of Alzheimer's, making good choices in diet, exercise and lifestyle can all reduce risk. Taking natural anti-inflammatories is a good move, especially turmeric and ginger.

Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, and is a component of the recommended anti-inflammatory diet, a focus of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging. The principal ingredient in mild yellow prepared mustard and in some exotic curries, turmeric may have a specific preventive effect against Alzheimer's disease (it has been shown to prevent amyloid plaque formation in animals) and may reduce the risk of many types of cancer as well. You can find turmeric products in health food stores, but many are preparations of curcumin, which is only one of the active components. Instead, take a whole extract of turmeric, and look for those prepared by the process of "supercritical extraction" - which uses liquefied carbon dioxide to extract the natural components of turmeric, rather than chemicals such as hexane, which can leave a residue.

Consider using turmeric (see yesterday's Daily Tip), following an anti-inflammatory diet, and taking ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory herb that may help to lessen the risks and/or symptoms of many inflammatory-related disorders. Dried ginger preparations are actually more powerful than fresh because of a chemical conversion of its constituents on drying. Capsules of dried, powdered ginger are now commonly sold in health food stores; use only those that are standardized for their content of active components. The recommended starting dose is 1 gram per day (usually two capsules), taken after a meal to avoid stomach irritation. There is no toxicity and you can stay on it indefinitely.

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