Turmeric which we know as a spice in cooking turned out to save tremendous benefits for health. A study re-discovered the benefits of the consumption of curry (turmeric as the main ingredient) to help prevent new infections by strengthening the immune system.
The scientists claim that a compound found in turmeric may help increase levels of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide or protein CAMP which helps the immune system fight bacteria, viruses or fungi. As is known, turmeric is a spice commonly found in Asia and has been used for 2,500 years in traditional Indian medicine Ayurveda.
Previous research has found that vitamin D may also increase levels of CAMP protein. But the difference is, high levels of vitamin D in the body can be toxic and can cause more calcium is released in the blood causing hypercalcemia - which can lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Researchers said the findings could lead the way for new research in the field of nutrition and pharmacology.
"This study is a new way to regulate gene expression CAMP," said Adrian Gombart, a professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the Linus Pauling Institute, Cornvallis, Oregon who published the findings in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry ..
"It's interesting and somewhat surprising that curcumin could do that and it can be an alternative option for developing medical therapies," he added.
Gombart and the team also compared the efficacy of curcumin and omega-3 fatty acids in increasing CAMP gene expression. The results showed that omega-3 fatty acids did not appear to be useful in improving protein. Meanwhile, laboratory experiments showed that curcumin in turmeric has nearly tripled the ability to boost the levels of cAMP in human cells.
"Curcumin as part of turmeric, commonly consumed in the diet at a low enough level," said Gombart. "However, with the continuous consumption over time a person can be healthy and helps protect against infection, particularly in the stomach and intestines," he added.
Curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, is currently also being studied by scientists in the UK as a compound that is effective against cancer. Researchers hope that curcumin can increase the efficacy of chemotherapy and reduce the side effects.
"We have shown that curcumin has more than 100 ways to destroy cancer cells, particularly colon cancer cells," said Professor Will Stewart of England University in Leicester.
"One of the main mechanisms that affect the way they work (curcumin) is that they grow up in the blood vessels," added Stewart.
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