Indians eat turmeric/curcumin and why you should too

Health benefits of turmeric and curcumin

Turmeric is a spice that India can’t live without. Turmeric is called Haldi in India and is used in large quantities in our foods. The yellow colour in curries is due to this very spice. It’s also a widely used spice in the plant based medicine “Ayurveda”, the Indian system of holistic medicine. Turmeric is not only used as food or medicinally but also in wedding ceremonies where a paste of turmeric is applied on the bodies of the bride and groom. It is also used in many religious ceremonies.

Indians recognised health benefits of turmeric long time ago but in recent years there has been an explosion in its recognition as a spice benefiting health. In fact, a quick search of scientific publications showed over 700 results detailing the properties and experiments relating to turmeric. It has been shown to have therapeutic applications such as anti-inflammation, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-neoplastic, immune stimulant, antiseptic, pro-dermatologic and anti-cancer properties.

These beneficial properties are owed to the active ingredient “curcumin” (diferuloylmethane) a polyphenol from the plant Curcuma longa or turmeric plant. The two ingredients of curcumin contain turmerone (oil) and curcuminoids (the coloured part). The ingredients of curcuminoids consist of demethoxycurcumin, 5’-methoxycurcumin, and dihydrocurcumin which has the several health promoting properties. For this reason, turmeric has been rightly termed as “nutraceutical or nutraceuticeutical” a fusion term derived from the union of “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”.

Multiculturalism for Children: Introduction to Global Diversity, Cultures and Customs

Although India produces most of the world’s turmeric, it is also used in other parts of the world. Here’s a list of various names of turmeric in other languages:

Arabic  Kurkum, Uqdah safra
Armenian – Toormerik, Turmerig
Bulgarian – Kurkuma
Burmese – Hsanwen
Catalan –Curcuma
Chinese – Yu chin
Croatian – Indijski safran
Czech- Kurkuma
Dhivehi – Reendhoo
Danish – Gurkemeje
Dutch – Kurkuma
Esperanto – Kurkumo
Estonian – Harilik kurkuma
Farsi – Zardchubeh
Finnish –Kurkuma
French – Curcuma
Galician – Curcuma
German – Curcuma
Greek – Kitrinoriza
Hebrew – Kurkum
Hungarian – Kurkuma
Icelandic – Turmerik
Indonesian – Kunyit
Italian – Curcuma
Japanese – Ukon
Khmer – Romiet
Korean – Kolkuma
Latvian –Kurkuma
Lithuanian – Ciberzole
Malay – Kunyit basah
Norwegian – Gurkemeie
Pahlavi – Zard-choobag
Pashto – Zarchoba
Polish – Kurkuma
Portuguese – Acafrao da India, Curcuma
Romanian – Curcuma
Russian – Koren
Singhalese – Kaha
Slovak – Kurkuma
Slovenian – Kurkuma
Spanish – Curcuma
Swahili – Manjano
Swedish – Gurkmeja
Thai – Kha min chan
Tibetan – Gaser
Turkish – Safrani
Yiddish – Kurkume

Introduction to India: Culture and Traditions of India: India Guide Book

Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of turmeric/curcumin:

Anti-cancer potential of curcumin

Many studies have shown that there are anti-proliferative effects of curcumin on various tumour cells. Studies have shown that curcumin can prevent cancer by supressing tumour cells. This is done by down regulating genes responsible for cell growth and proliferation. These include down-regulation of the expression of genes such as cyclooxygenase-2, Lysyl oxidase, Nitric Oxide Synthase, Matrix metalloproteinase-9, Tumour Necrosis Factor, chemokines, cell surface adhesion molecules and cyclin D1; down-regulation of growth factor receptors (such as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2); and inhibit the activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, protein tyrosine kinases and protein serine/threonine kinases.

In one scientific study that involved investigating the effect of curcumin on triple negative breast cancer that were known to have poor prognosis; the administration of curcumin to the cancer cell cultures was found to inhibit cell proliferation by inhibiting of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) pathway was thought to be the underlying mechanism of cell proliferation.

In another study, it was shown that curcumin can inhibit the translocation of (nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells) NFκB to the nucleus through the inhibition of the IκB-kinase which reduces expression of CXCL1 and -2 and abolishes the autocrine/paracrine loop that links the two chemokines to NFκB. Treatment of the cells with curcumin and siRNA-based knockdown of CXCL1 and -2 induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation and downregulate several important metastasis-promoting factors.

Turmeric and gingivitis

One study showed that use of 2% turmeric gel significantly caused reduction in the mean plaque index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth and major reduction in trypsin like enzymatic activity of “Red-Complex” microorganisms.  Other studies have also shown that both turmeric can decrease plaque index and gingival index and hence be used in the prevention and treatment of gingivitis.

Turmeric and cardiovascular disease

It has been suggested that turmeric also has huge health benefits in the prevention/reduction of cardiovascular diseases and related disorders such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. It is the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticeuticals that is thought to play a major role in neutralising free radicals and reducing endothelial risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Turmeric and pain

Turmeric has also been shown to produce analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in animal models and in clinical trials, and seems to have less serious adverse effects than many current analgesics.

Studies have looked at the effect of curcumin on pain, stiffness, and functionality in patients with osteoarthritis in the knee. Curcuma-containing products regularly showed significant improvement in osteoarthritis-related conditions. A few studies have shown that the use of both curcuminoids and ibuprofen were associated with a similar significant reduction in pain.

Although there is some evidence that indicates that curcuminoids have pain relieving function in musculoskeletal pain but evidence is insufficient. More clinical studies are required.

Curcumin and autoimmune diseases

A breakdown in the immune system results in infection, cancer including autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, myocarditis, thyroiditis, uveitis, systemic lupus erythromatosis, and myasthenia gravis.

Some studies have shown that curcumin improves inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis both in human and animal models. Curcumin inhibits autoimmune diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-gamma and associated JAK-STAT, AP-1, and NF-kappaB signalling pathways in immune cells.

Turmeric and skin disorders

There is increasing scientific indication proposing curcumin’s usefulness in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammatory dermatoses, skin infections, acceleration of wound closure as well as cosmetic ailments such as dyspigmentation.

Curcumin also moderates the phase II detoxification enzymes crucial in the detoxification reactions for protection against oxidative stress. Some publications have discussed the biological mechanisms of the chemopreventive potential of curcumin in various skin diseases like psoriasis, vitiligo, and melanoma.

Direct topical administration of curcumin on affected tissue can be useful in treating skin related disorders.

Curcumin and liver disease

Several studies have shown that curcumin supplementation might improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

This is done by improving oxidative stress and preventing NAFLD by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species, the hepatic protein expression of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines such as interferon (IFN) γ, interleukin-1β and IFNγ-inducible protein.

Curcumin might have a favourable effect on NAFLD in higher dosages. Despite this, further studies with higher curcumin dosage supplementation are needed to confirm these results.

Turmeric on Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining brain activities and behavioural changes.

Curcumin is able to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipases, transcription factor and enzymes involved in metabolizing the membrane phospholipids into prostaglandins. The reduction of the release of reactive oxygen species by stimulated neutrophils, inhibition of AP-1 and NF-Kappa B inhibit the activation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF and IL-1beta. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipophilic properties of curcumin improves the cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Curcumin and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Curcumin has been shown to reduce sugar and lipids levels in many ways. It is able to do so by decreasing glycaemia and dyslipidaemia in high fat-fed rats, decreasing blood glucose and antioxidant defences. Other molecular mechanisms include anti-inflammatory effect on adipocytes (fat cells) by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6 and COX2. It also has anti-apoptotic effect on streptozotocin-induced in diabetic rats by up regulating Bcl-2; Bax and caspase-3.

Curcumin also reduces the gene expression of transcription factors involved in hepatic lipogenesis, such as the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c that promotes cholesterol synthesis and the carbohydrate response element-binding protein.

How do you take turmeric?

The questions to ask is how do you take turmeric? The way most Indians do it is by taking it in their food. Most Indian food will contain turmeric. They usually put a few teaspoons of it in their curry. Another way Indians like taking turmeric is in warm milk. Nowadays this is called “golden milk” in the west. Just warm a cup of milk and add some turmeric to it. Some people add black pepper to it to increase absorbance.

References:

Kocaadam, Sanlier 2017. Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr

Vaughn AR et al 2016. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytother Res

Ruby et al 1995. Anti-tumour and antioxidant activity of natural curcuminoids. Cancer Lett.

Sun XD et al 2021. Curcumin induces apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells by inhibition of EGFR expression. Mol Med Rep

Killian PH et al 2012. Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer metastasis in vivo by targeting the inflammatory cytokines CXCL1 and -2. Carcinogenesis

Stoyell et al 2016. Clinical efficacy of turmeric use in gingivitis: A comprehensive review. Complement Ther Clin Pract

Perkins et al 2016. Efficacy of Curcuma for Treatment of Osteoarthritis. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med

Bright 2007. Curcumin and autoimmune disease. Adv Exp Med Biol

Nguyen, Friedman 2013. Curcumin: a novel treatment for skin-related disorders. J Drugs Dermatol

Rajesh et al 2013. Skin regenerative potentials of curcumin. Biofactors

Disclaimer: This is NOT medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking turmeric/curcumin.

Meditation For beginners: Relieve Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Bring Inner Peace and Happiness in Your Life: Meditation Techniques For Beginners

Self Discovery Journal For Men

Filipino Tagalog numbers 1 to 100 in words

If you are traveling to the Philippines, then these Tagalog numbers (Filipino numbers) will be useful for you. Tagalog is spoken as a language in the Philippines and is the official language of the Philippines. There are two forms of Tagalog namely Old Tagalog which is an ancient form of the language while Batangas Tagalog is a dialect of the language. In addition, the Filipino language is a standardised form of the Tagalog language that forms the official language of the Philippines. If you traveling to the Philippines, then you might wish to learn a few words and numbers for your travels. Here’s a list of Tagalog numbers 1-100 compiled by Amihan Balasabas. Feel free to print them out if you wanted to them with you. If you press the print button then you can eastly print them as printable Tagalog numbers 1 100 in words.

Tagalog numbers in 1 to 100

One                 1          isa

Two                 2          dalawa

Three               3          tatlo

Four                 4          apat

Five                  5          lima

Six                   6          anim

Seven               7          pito

Eight                8          walo

Nine                9          siyam

Ten                  10        sampu

Eleven             11        labing-isa

Twelve             12        labindalawa

Thirteen          13        labintatlo

Fourteen         14        labing-apat

Fifteen             15        labinlima

Sixteen            16        labing-anim

Seventeen       17        labimpito

Eighteen          18        labingwalo

Nineteen         19        labinsiyam

Twenty            20        dalawampu

Twenty one     21        dalawampu’t isa

Twenty two     22        dalawampu’t dalawa

Twenty three 23        dalawampu’t tatlo

Twenty four    24        dalawampu’t apat

Twenty five     25        dalawampu’t lima

Twenty six       26        dalawampu’t anim

Twenty seven 27        dalawampu’t pito

Twenty eight   28        dalawampu’t walo

Twenty nine    29        dalawampu’t siyam

Thirty               30        tatlumpu

Thirty one        31        tatlumpu’t isa

Thirty two       32        tatlumpu’t dalawa

Thirty three     33        tatlumpu’t tatlo

Thirty four       34        tatlumpu’t apat

Thirty five        35        tatlumpu’t lima

Thirty six          36        tatlumpu’t anim

Thirty seven    37        tatlumpu’t pito

Thirty eight      38        tatlumpu’t walo

Thirty nine       39        tatlumpu’t siyam

Forty                40        apatnapu

Forty one         41        apatnapu’t isa

Forty two         42        apatnapu’t dalawa

Forty three      43        apatnapu’t tatlo

Forty four        44        apatnapu’t apat

Forty five         45        apatnapu’t lima

Forty six           46        apatnapu’t anim

Forty seven     47        apatnapu’t pito

Forty eight       48        apatnapu’t walo

Forty nine        49        apatnapu’t siyam

Fifty                 50        limampu

Fifty one          51        limampu’t isa

Fifty two          52        limampu’t dalawa

Fifty three       53        limampu’t tatlo

Fifty four         54        limampu’t apat

Fifty five          55        limampu’t lima

Fifty six            56        limampu’t anim

Fifty seven       57        limampu’t pito

Fifty eight        58        limampu’t walo

Fifty nine         59        limampu’t siyam

Sixty                 60        animnapu

Sixty one         61        animnapu’t isa

Sixty two         62        animnapu’t dalawa

Sixty three       63        animnapu’t tatlo

Sixty four         64        animnapu’t apat

Sixty five          65        animnapu’t lima

Sixty six           66        animnapu’t anim

Sixty seven      67        animnapu’t pito

Sixty eight       68        animnapu’t walo

Sixty nine         69        animnapu’t siyam

Seventy           70        pitumpu

Seventy one    71        pitumpu’t isa

Seventy two    72        pitumpu’t dalawa

Seventy three 73        pitumpu’t tatlo

Seventy four    74        pitumpu’t apat

Seventy five     75        pitumpu’t lima

Seventy six      76        pitumpu’t anim

Seventy seven 77        pitumpu’t pito

Seventy eight 78        pitumpu’t walo

Seventy nine   79        pitumpu’t siyam

Eighty              80        walumpu

Eighty one       81        walumpu’t isa

Eighty two       82        walumpu’t dalawa

Eighty three     83        walumpu’t tatlo

Eighty four      84        walumpu’t apat

Eighty five       85        walumpu’t lima

Eighty six         86        walumpu’t anim

Eighty seven    87        walumpu’t pito

Eighty eight     88        walumpu’t walo

Eighty nine      89        walumpu’t siyam

Ninety             90        siyamnapu

Ninety one      91        siyamnapu’t isa

Ninety             92        siyamnapu’t dalawa

Ninety three    93        siyamnapu’t tatlo

Ninety  four     94        siyamnapu’t apat

Ninety five       95        siyamnapu’t lima

Ninety six        96        siyamnapu’t anim

Ninety seven   97        siyamnapu’t pito

Ninety eight    98        siyamnapu’t walo

Ninety nine     99        siyamnapu’t siyam

One hundred 100        isang daan

Tagalog Words for Babies and Toddlers. Tagalog for Beginners. Kids Picture Book: Easy to Learn Tagalog Words for Bilingual Children

If you like to buy a Tagalog numbers book then you can consider buying some from Amihan Balasabas. His book is called Tagalog Numbers 1-100 in Words.

Tagalog Words for Babies and Toddlers

A Tagalog and English Animal Picture Book for Babies and Toddlers: Introducing the Filipino Language to Beginners

Cow in Indian culture

Years since, it has been believed in the Hindu religion that Cow is more or less revered as the source of food and a symbol of life that may never be killed. With many interpretations made by non Hindus, believes that Hindus worship cows considered to be sacred.

Prior of being sacred, Cows don’t have a charmed life in India. People around the world visit India and see cows in public places being unlashed, unrestrained and unfenced. It’s a false idea to consider cows as gods in Indian culture rather they are being fancied on the name of god. Here’s some more information about the cow in Indian culture.

Hinduism for those visiting India

History of the Sacred Cow

In the past, bulls and oxen were trolled down before the gods as offering and their meat was eaten. This practice was not done to cows that were producing milk. As mentioned in the verse of Rigveda it has been significant that the cow is referred as Devi or goddess and is being identified as Aditi or mother of the gods.

The concept of meat eating still prevailed though one of the scriptures signifies that there is no sin to eating of meat but in turn brings reward in other forms.

Considering cow in providing abundant products like milk, butter and fuel from dried dung. Hindu stopped the practice of eating beef during the fertile period that introduced Buddhism and Jainism. In early century AD the cow was considered as an appropriate gift to Brahmins signifying that killing a cow will symbolise killing a Brahmin. Adding elementary significance to Krishna’s stories in late 10^th century it was reinforced cows as sanctity.

Hinduism Made Easy: Hindu Religion, Philosophy and Concepts

Mythological Significance

It’s admirable to watch at calf that nuzzles for its mother’s udder around the courtyard of most Hindu temple in old streets of Delhi. Hindus have provided shelter locally called goshala for cows just to avoid disrupting traffic, wandering everywhere and feeding on rubbish.

From mythological point of view Nandi, a bull was considered as the most prominent solder in the steed of the Lord Shiva. In other scenario it has been noted to have heard of Lord Krishna that he was horn as a cow herd.

Cows are considered effective to human life as seen in many rural households in India are being recognised as the biggest producer of milk in the world with a support of at least one cow or buffalo. The owner of cow makes the best use of the cow till it pass the reproductive life and after that the owner least cares about further feeding to the cow in no return.

                                    Village woman making goitha from cow dung

Beef Industry

Considering the case of export of beef, Buffalo makes up to the India’s beef exports but as far cows are considered the cow meat is being banned from being exported but still some trace are found in abroad.

One of the business holders named Mahendra Singh of Aligarh for production of buffalo meat says that the production of buffalo meat has certainly increased to 150 tonnes a day from 100 tonnes around a year ago. The industry works on both secrecy and trust as the company has made a long standing tradition among the Muslim traders.

Qureshi one of the business partner sighted that the business is profitable at its best and will continue to flourish later.

Eating beef in India

Practices related to cow

To the current world cows are considered to be a protected animal in Hinduism and in support Hindus have stopped eating beef. Speaking of present scenario the families in rural areas are now available with only one dairy cow and is being treated as the member of the family. Today, it can be said that the cow in Indian culture is  considered holy and revered.

In rituals the Indians use five products of the cow like milk, ghee butter, curds, dung and urine. Each product being significant in their own way as milk helps in growth of children in a family, dung commonly known as gobar is used a tikal for spiritual cause or as a source of energy for household throughout India.

Despite of being sacred and unique status cows are still not being appreciated in India. From visitors point cows in India are found walking neglected in streets and found dwelling in garbage areas.

To be predictable the cow is honoured once in a year as the Indian celebrate it as Gopastami. With joy and cheers the “cow holiday” is celebrated in India with cows being washed and decorated in temple premises, in hope that her gift of life to continue.