Turmeric and (Mental) Health
Can You Use Turmeric to Help Treat Depression?
I have been using Turmeric a lot as of recent on recommendation to help alleviate depression and as a recovery supplement from long distance running. A natural alternative to all the nasty shit doctors like to prescribe. It has to be said, I'm actually noticing a marked difference in my recovery times from a long run and I'm pretty sure its helping the clarity of my thinking, as in helping me fight off "brain fog", a horrid symptom of depression and/or BPD.
So this merits more investigation. Ripped and pasted below like the lazy bastard that I am. Links work for more data:
Research from www.healthline.com
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is an edible root used in cooking. It’s powdered into a bright yellow spice popular in Asian cuisine.
Turmeric also has a history of medicinal use. It contains an active compound, curcumin, that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has found that curcumin has the potential to improve a number of health conditions — including depression. This includes mild depression and even major depressive disorder (MDD).
Read on to learn more about how turmeric works, how to add it to your routine, potential side effects, and more. ⬇️
This colour = my notes (unless you're reading this on the app or mobile or something or something. I dunno. Fkin colour thing isn't working. Tummeric can't fix that.)
How can turmeric help with depression?
Antioxidants like curcumin scavenge free radicals that create inflammation. By reducing oxidative stress, they can also reduce inflammation.
(Note: Inflation being key in exercise recovery and also in mental health. Brain inflammation and impaired mental health are intrinsically linked. Research this and the keto link.)
Inflammation and depression science: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5542678/
Recent studiesTrusted Source have made a connection between depression and chronic inflammation. It’s still not clear if inflammation causes depression or vice versa. Nevertheless, research suggests that chronic inflammation and depression exacerbate one another.
(Bread, wheat, gluten etc are though to contribute towards this inflammation.)
It’s thought that antioxidants like curcumin can help relieve symptoms of depression by fighting chronic inflammation.
This has led to trialsTrusted Source to determine whether turmeric might really help depression. Many are successful and of a high quality, opening the door to further exploration.
What the research says
Research on turmeric may be just as bright and hopeful as its cheery yellow colour. A 2017 reviewTrusted Source looked at all of the research on using turmeric — specifically, curcumin — to help treat depression. It found that curcumin may indeed be a safe and effective natural treatment option.
On using turmeric or curcumin on its own or with other herbs
A 2017 studyTrusted Source found that curcumin reduced depression symptoms. It was effective on its own and in combination with another herb, saffron. The same was found in two different 2014 studies, one published in the Journal of Affective DisordersTrusted Source and the other in Phytotherapy ResearchTrusted Source. In these, curcumin was found to be just as effective when used alone.
On using turmeric or curcumin alongside prescription antidepressants A study done in 2015Trusted Source revealed that curcumin could help antidepressants work better. Research still hasn’t determined whether use in combination with antidepressants works better than use of curcumin alone.
I use this product above from Waitrose (there are alternative supermarkets and websites to buy it from, just sayin'.
This product: Turmeric - the modern-day armour. One of nature's most potent herbs, it's been used for centuries in traditional medicine and is now a focus for clinical research due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The addition of black pepper helps with the absorption of the beneficial compounds in turmeric. With a pungent aroma and a bitter flavour, it gives the nervous system a kick for daily protection against life's curveballs. Natural performance packed for when you need it most. Shoot one daily pre or post workout to armour up and aid muscle recovery.60ml = 1 shot500ml = 8+ shots.
This MOJU shit works really well for me. Recommended. And no, I'm not affiliated with this lot in any way shape or form.
How to use turmeric for depression - depression is a cunt
One day, turmeric — specifically, curcumin — could be a mainstream depression treatment. Further research is needed before it can be formally recommended alongside traditional treatment options. If you want to try it at home, talk to your doctor before use. They can discuss your individual risk for side effects and interactions. You should not use turmeric or curcumin instead of prescribed antidepressants. The herb should only be used under your doctor’s supervision to complement your existing treatment plan. You likely won’t see a change in symptoms right away. Many studies suggest that turmeric must be taken correctly for at least four weeks before it has an effect.
Take it as a supplement - I do now
Turmeric supplements are available at local health and food stores or online. They’re also available in tincture or extract forms. The form you take doesn’t matter. What matters is how much curcumin (or curcuminoids) are included in each supplement. Make sure it’s a high percentage — around 95 percent is ideal. Avoid turmeric supplements that don’t say how much curcumin is in them. These may have more of turmeric’s other compounds in them than curcumin. There are also supplements available with 100 percent pure extracted curcumin. Getting a pure supplement may be your best option. Remember that supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You should only purchase products from manufacturers that you trust. Be sure to follow any dosage or use information on the label. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor. - that goes for the UK and EU too
Add it to your meals
You can also reap some of these benefits by adding turmeric to your meals. However, cooking with turmeric or curcumin hasn’t been studied as much as taking oral supplements. What’s more, turmeric cooking powders usually don’t label curcumin amounts. This means that the amount of curcumin can vary from product to product, and its potential effects may be unpredictable. If you can find a high-curcumin turmeric, one teaspoon turmeric likely has more than enough curcuminoids to be effective. Just make sure you use the spice every day for optimal benefits.
Don’t forget the piperine!
Piperine is a compound found in culinary black pepper. Studies show that piperine enhances absorption of other compounds during digestion. Because of this, piperine can make supplements, especially herb-based ones, work faster and more effectively. It’s extracted and added to many supplements, including curcumin. Supplements combining curcumin with piperine are one of the most research-supported options for depression. A 2013 studyTrusted Source showed curcumin with piperine was more effective than curcumin alone.
Alternative practitioners recommend using curcumin and piperine combined for best results. This may mean taking separate piperine supplements or adding black pepper to any turmeric-enhanced meals.
Science: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28236605/
Turmeric!
M.
