The ingredient that makes the Indian spice turmeric bright orange is called curcumin–not to be confused with cumin, another famous Indian spice. A basic rule of thumb in nature seems to be the brighter the color (the louder the visual cymbal crash!), the greater the antioxidant power. Turns out that curcumin is the mother of all antioxidants and that means big-time preventive prowess for our health.

Check out the excellent summary in the New Hope 360 article on this topic: Is curcumin the latest natural antidote?

My friend Ajay Goel, Ph.D., Director of the Dept of Epigenetics and Cancer Prevention at Baylor University Medical Center, is a big fan of curcumin and has conducted a number of human trials using the highly absorbable BCM-95 Curcumin. One study presented at OARSI showed this form of curcumin (along with boswellia) to be as effective as Celebrex for arthritis pain but without side effects.

Another study by Dr. Goel recently published in Phytotherapy Research showed BCM-95 Curcumin to be as effective as Prozac for major depressive disorder (MDD)–again, without side effects.

Given the choice, most people will likely choose a natural approach without side effects. First they need to know it’s out there and efficacious.  How’s that for a big word ending???