Curcumin and Heart Health: The Anti-Inflammatory Power You Need
It’s the kind you don’t feel -- the silent killer:? chronic inflammation.??
On its own, inflammation often goes unnoticed as it quietly persists through the years. However, illnesses resulting from chronic inflammation manifest as a range of acute symptoms.??
Chronic inflammation is widespread among the population and the illnesses it generates, wholly or in part, are the leading cause of mortality globally. In fact,? 3 out of 5 people succumb to inflammation mediated diseases. One of the major illnesses where chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role is cardiovascular disease (CVD) as highlighted by The American Heart Association??
?So, What is Chronic Inflammation??
Acute inflammation occurs in response to an injury– it’s a primary, necessary part of the healing process, and it’s generally a good thing. Acute inflammation begins rapidly as the body responds to the injury and intensifies in severity.?
According to researchers, events such as smoking, infection or injury triggers a cascade of chemical reactions. The event stimulates intracellular signaling pathways which then create and release inflammatory mediators such as the cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).? These cytokines have both positive and negatives; while they regulate the immune response to infections, high amounts can result in damaged tissue, and, in worst case scenarios, organ dysfunction or failure.??
Chronic inflammation and its role in heart (and other) diseases is a relatively recent discovery.? For instance, it is now known that atherosclerosis is associated with inflammation.??
Researchers have found that, with age and other lifestyle factors, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) trigger systemic chronic inflammation even when there is no infection or injury (in contrast to infection-causing inflammation, known as pathogen-associated molecular pattern or PAMPs). Research has shown that older adults often exhibit systemic chronic inflammation, as evidenced by higher circulating levels of chemokines and cytokines, along with increased expression of inflammation-related genes.??
In a review discussing systemic chronic inflammation, the authors state that chronic inflammation “ultimately causes collateral damage to tissues and organs over time, such as by inducing oxidative stress.”?
Numerous conditions signal that the body is under chronic stress including frequent infections, insomnia, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and digestive disturbances (e.g., acid reflux, constipation and diarrhea). According to the Mayo Clinic, low-grade inflammation can also disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, which, in turn may trigger further inflammation.??
However, as with other health factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, chronic inflammation may be positively impacted and corrected by adopting healthy habits, and? using appropriate supplements.?
How to Manage Chronic Inflammation??
Dietary experts at? the Mayo Clinic recommend consuming plant-based foods (i.e., fruits and vegetables), fermented foods (i.e., yogurt, kimchi) and fiber, while restricting sugar,? processed foods,? as well as red meat (which contains the pro-inflammatory omega-6 arachidonic acid).??
?More specifically:?
Speaking of curcumin, it has been heavily studied for its role in mediating inflammation and conditions resulting from chronic inflammation. A search for “chronic inflammation and curcumin” on clinicaltrials.gov shows 7 trials focusing on this relationship and its outcomes (e.g., kidney disease).??
While dietary supplements are not marketed as treatments or interventions for disease, curcumin may serve as a valuable ally in maintaining a healthy inflammatory status.?
?Why TurmXTRA?60N??
Conventional turmeric extracts require high doses (1000 to 2000 mg) to achieve therapeutic effects. However, TurmXTRA?60N has been proven effective with just a 250 mg once-daily dose.??
Multiple pharmacokinetic studies confirm that 250 mg of TurmXTRA?60N delivers a bioequivalent response in plasma curcuminoids compared to a full 1575mg dose of standard turmeric extract (95% curcuminoids), whether the extract is taken with or without piperine.. These studies demonstrate that TurmXTRA? 60N provides the same benefits at a significantly lower, more convenient dose, offering a potent alternative to higher doses of standard turmeric extract.?
TurmXTRA? 60 N promotes heart health by reducing key pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, which are involved in chronic inflammation. Its antioxidant action lowers reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radicals, helping to reduce oxidative stress and protect cardiovascular tissues. By decreasing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, TurmXTRA further mitigates inflammation, a known risk factor for heart disease. These combined effects make TurmXTRA an effective supplement for supporting a healthy inflammatory response and heart function.?
Conclusion?
While numerous factors affect heart health, managing chronic inflammation can offer significant functional protection. Incorporating curcumin, as part of a health-promoting lifestyle, can help safeguard heart health by modulating key biomarkers of inflammation.?
Reviewed by Sneha Sawant Desai, PhD
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