Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is part of the ginger family of plants, Zingiberaceae. Turmeric has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for thousands of years, where it even held religious and cultural significance. Typically known as a featured ingredient in curry, this golden spice has recently garnered increased attention in the health community; multiple studies have been done demonstrating turmeric’s pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, and thus, has sparked widespread usage in the Western world. While turmeric is highly regarded as a “miracle cure” for ailments, the question begs to be answered: can turmeric help with weight loss?
Losing Weight by Decreasing Inflammation
Weight loss requires more than just counting calories. There are many factors that can influence weight loss, such as your current health, genetics, nutrition, and vitamin intake. There is speculation in the health community that inflammation can impede weight loss efforts, and, all things considered, it makes sense. Inflammation causes stress, and if your body is stressed, your body may go into survival mode to accumulate rather than reduce fat. This author makes the connection between inflammation increase when weight gain occurs, and how losing weight is easier when inflammation is reduced.
So, can turmeric help with weight loss? While research to determine the correlation is on-going, it does suggest that turmeric may enhance weight loss efforts. Not only that, but it is also becoming more apparent that oxidative stress (a condition where free radicals damage your body) and inflammation can increase susceptibility to various diseases and illnesses. Adding turmeric to your supplement regime won’t hurt your weight loss progress and can benefit your overall health and well-being. While turmeric continues to show a promising outlook in terms of research discovery, including other natural, anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as bromelain and papain (known to synergize when used together!) will provide maximum benefit and support your goals for finding a balanced way to feel better.
