Turmeric curry to boost immunity | Health - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Turmeric curry to boost immunity

PTI | By, New Delhi
May 30, 2012 12:20 AM IST

Did you know that turmeric, the most common spice used in Indian curries, can help keep infections at bay? One of the key compounds of turmeric has been found to boost the immune system, claim scientists.

Did you know that turmeric, the most common spice used in Indian curries, can help keep infections at bay? One of the key compounds of turmeric has been found to boost the immune system, claim scientists.

Researchers in Oregon State University in the US found that curcumin, a major component of turmeric, causes a sizable increase in a protein, called cathelicidin anti-microbial peptide (CAMP), which boosts the body’s immune system.

It helps the body to fight bacteria and viruses including those that cause tuberculosis even if it has not encountered them before, the researchers said.

Prof Adrian Gombart, who led the study, said, “It’s possible that sustained consumption of curcumin over time may be healthy and help protect against infection, especially in the stomach and intestinal tract,” Gombart was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“This research points to a new avenue for regulating CAMP gene expression. It’s interesting and somewhat surprising that curcumin can do that, and could provide another tool to develop medical therapies,” he added.

Prof Gombart said the impact of curcumin wasn’t nearly as potent as that of vitamin D, but it still has physiological value. Curcumin is also thought to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

In their study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, Prof Gombart and his colleague Chunxiao Guo had looked at the potential of both curcumin and omega 3 fatty acids to increase expression of the CAMP gene.

They found no increase with the omega 3 fatty acids, but curcumin caused levels of CAMP to almost triple. Vitamin D has been studied intently in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating a range of diseases including cancer.

Prof Gombart said that any alternative ways of eliciting the same biological response merited further research.

Turmeric has been used for 2,500 years as a medicinal compound and also in religious ceremonies, and of course as the favourite ingredient in curry.

HT Image
HT Image

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On