The Real Benefits Of Turmeric & Best Turmeric Supplements

Turmeric is the superfood on everyone’s lips, but what are the real benefits of turmeric?

7 Minute ReadEducation by Jess Lacey

05.09.23

Turmeric is the superfood on everyone’s lips, but what are the real benefits of turmeric? It’s touted for its anti-inflammatory properties, and the health-boosting benefits of organic turmeric extend to improved brain function, osteoarthritis prevention, better heart health and beauty benefits.

On this page, we explore the trendy topic around turmeric and answer the questions below:

What is turmeric and where does it come from?
The 15 real health benefits of turmeric.
What is the real truth about turmeric?
How can you make sure you’re actually reaping the turmeric benefits?
What are the most effective turmeric supplements?

Where does turmeric come from?

Turmeric is the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and is closely related to ginger. The compound within turmeric that gives it its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities is called curcumin. When you read about turmeric benefits, remember that you’re more often than not reading about the benefits of the curcumin within; curcumin is the focal point for the majority of research into turmeric’s health-giving properties.

You can incorporate turmeric into a balanced diet by using it to spice up curries, soups, smoothies and stews, or by whipping up a turmeric latte by steaming it with your favourite milk and adding cinnamon, cardamom, ginger or nutmeg. Ayurvedic practitioners have been advising people to consider the addition of turmeric into their diets since ancient times, and it adds an earthy flavour and gorgeous golden colour to dishes.

15 Real health benefits of turmeric

At LYMA, we have screened through the clinical studies that have been published on the benefits of turmeric and have shortlisted its most proven advantages on health for you:

Inflammation

Inflammation is a major cause - and consequence of - the vast majority of viral and non-viral illnesses, resulting in a faster aging process. For centuries curcumin has proven to be an excellent anti-inflammatory, which is why its most bioavailable form HydroCurc™ is included in the LYMA formula.
Heart Health

Curcumin supports healthy bodily functions against inflammation and oxidative stress, which both play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Diabetes

Research has witnessed that the intake of curcuminoids was associated with a reduction of oxidative stress, which is a result of hyperglycaemia in patients suffering from diabetes.
Immunity

Curcumin has been shown to act as an immune modulator influencing important immune cells including B cells, Natural Killer cells and T cells. At low doses it may enhance antibody response.
Arthritis

Several studies on patients with knee osteoarthritis have shown that the results of curcumin domestica extract had similar effects on pain as Ibuprofen and had positive results on the symptoms of the condition.
Antioxidant

Due to its chemical structure, curcumin has proven to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralise free radicals produced during aerobic respiration, which are a cause of cumulative oxygen damage, resulting in aging.
Depression

There is growing evidence that curcumin could help treat major depressive disorders (MDD). Curcumin has shown to improve a variety of body and brain functions simultaneously, of which many target some of the numerous pathways involved in depression. Combined with saffron, studies have proven its anti-depressant effects.
Pain relief

Although more research needs to be undertaken, there is compelling evidence that curcumin helps relieve pain in patients.
Itching
A 2018 study suggests that histamine-induced itching can be blocked through the inhibitory action of curcumin on TRPV1, the receptors heavily involved in the regulation of itching as well as pain.
Liver

Several studies have shown the curcumin has a role in the modulation of many biological mechanisms involved in liver injury. It may represent a promising treatment in chronic hepatitis and a potential therapeutic agent for regression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Digestion

As a result of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin - and especially HydroCurc™, its most bioavailable form - act as a digestive healing agent.
Memory

Some studies suggest that turmerone, an active ingredient of turmeric, may be help with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is because it helps trigger cell repair and potentially support the recovery of brain function.
Cholesterol

Although the effects of turmeric on cholesterol levels are conflicting, a study has shown that taking HydroCurc™ lowers levels of blood fats called triglycerides, most notably serum lipid peroxides and serum cholesterol.
Cancer

The polyphenols contained in curcumin have recently been associated with disrupting the formation of cancerous cells. Evidence also suggest it has protective effects against multiple myeloma, colorectal, breast, pancreatic, gastric and prostate cancers.
Allergies.

Found to exert diverse immunomodulatory effects in a study of 240 patients, curcumin ameliorated nasal symptoms such as sneezing as well as nasal congestion. Research also show curcumin may help reduce the impact of food allergies and asthma, although more research needs to be done on these topics.

NB: All resources for the above claims are listed at the bottom of this article.

But what is the real truth about turmeric?

There is a big issue with merely adding turmeric to your cooking though. The issue is poor bioavailability. The curcumin content of turmeric is very low and you’d have to eat an ungodly amount of turmeric to allow enough curcuminoids (the active part of turmeric) into the blood to have a discernible physiological effect. Eating turmeric can be said to have a placebo effect at best. If you really want to exploit curcumin for all its goodness, you need to take it in supplement form.

In addition, curcumin is fat-soluble, meaning it can only be metabolised by the body if consumed alongside fats, so the nutritional benefits of this wonder-herb are missed out on altogether if you’re not taking curcumin in its most desirable form. HydroCurc™, as formulated at 250mg in LYMA, could be your secret weapon when it comes to reaping the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of curcumin.

How can you make sure you’re actually reaping the turmeric benefits?

Studies have shown that when ingested through diet alone, humans are only able to absorb 5% of the active curcuminoids from turmeric. Supplementing with HydroCurc™, the most bioavailable forms of curcumin extract available today, offers a solution through LipiSperse®, a cutting-edge ingredient scientifically proven to increase absorption to deliver 250% more active curcuminoids than generic curcumin.

LipiSperse® is an advanced cold water dispersion technology which allows active ingredients with otherwise limited bioavailability to be easily dispersed in the body, increasing their bioavailability and uptake in the digestive tract. HydroCurc™, therefore, is curcumin in its most bioavailable form.

What are the most effective turmeric supplements?

Conventional delivery systems used by most other supplement brands simply do not make the cut. They are ineffective and do not serve the consumer. In the same way that eating turmeric has negligible benefits for overall well being, taking sub-par supplements can be considered another form of placebo. In fact, most mainstream delivery systems, from lattes to lozenges, offer no proven health benefits whatsoever.

LYMA’s patented ingredients are all backed by peer-reviewed clinical evidence and have been formulated with your wellbeing in mind. HydroCurc™ is the only patented form of curcumin on the supplement market - a market that consists largely of companies selling poorly formulated products without patented ingredients. Patenting ingredients is an expensive and time-consuming process and, as such, using a proprietary form of the compound hasn’t been a priority for many leading supplement brands. LYMA was launched, in part, as a response to the lack of protected, highly bioavailable curcuminoids available on the market.

Dr Paul Clayton, leading pharmacologist, believes in the efficacy of HydroCurc™ and its superiority to the other supplements out there:

"The significance of HydroCurc, the patented turmeric in LYMA, cannot be overstated. Curcumin is a first-rate anti-inflammatory agent, and for the first time, we have it in a form that achieves meaningful levels in the body. Because chronic inflammation has become so prevalent and causes so many problems, LYMA is able to produce health benefits in a very wide range of conditions."

LYMA is pioneering the trend for evidence-based nutrition. LYMA’s formula is proven not only to significantly reduce inflammation and the build up of oxidative stress, but also to promote anti-aging and smoother, more hydrated skin; to improve brain power, focus and productivity; to enhance immune function and protect against brittle bones and osteoporosis; and to moderate the body’s stress response, decreasing anxiety and improving happiness levels. By supplementing with LYMA you can expect to encounter all of these benefits and more.

Find out how LYMA can help you to regain balance and find health here.