Dr. Haver Explains the Connection between Turmeric & Menopause Relief

You probably know turmeric as the yellowish-orange colored, earthy tasting cooking spice in your kitchen, most often used in curry dishes. But, did you know that an element found in turmeric has been shown to have health benefits, specifically when it comes to menopause symptoms? 

Let’s break it down:

1. A substance called curcumin is found in turmeric. 
2. Curcumin is a polyphenol. 
3. Polyphenols are chemicals found in plant-based foods that act as antioxidants and provide health benefits. Popular examples of polyphenols are red wine and dark chocolate. 
4. Curcumin can be extracted from turmeric and ingested as a supplement for health benefits. 

“Studies show curcumin supplementation
may improve a wide range of menopause symptoms including inflammation, hot flashes, visceral fat, and anxiety. Curcumin may have significant benefits for women in mid-life.”

– Dr. Mary Claire Haver

Curcumin may provide these menopause health benefits:

Decrease Visceral (belly) Fat

Curcumin has an anti-obesity effect. Ingesting curcumin has been shown to decrease visceral fat tissue and protect against obesity and other metabolic diseases. 

Decrease Inflammation

Curcumin may decrease the oxidative stress and inflammation that occurs with declining hormone levels during menopause. It provides natural protection against these markers of aging and other degenerative diseases. 

Decrease Hot Flashes

A significant decrease in hot flashes in post menopausal women was observed after four weeks of curcumin and vitamin E supplementation. 

Decrease Osteoarthritis Symptoms

The anti-inflammatory nature of curcumin helps relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis. It helps prevent deterioration of cartilage which can improve pain.

Improve Cardiovascular Health (when combined with exercise)

Daily curcumin supplementation combined with regular exercise can improve blood flow, which has an important effect on overall cardiovascular health. This combination can help slow the age-related heart-health problems that many women experience during menopause. 

Decrease Menopause-Related Anxiety Disorders

Declining hormone levels can lead to anxiety and other mood disturbances. Curcumin’s antioxidant properties may guard against these changes in the brain. 

Improve Gut-Microbiome Health

Declining hormone levels can change the distribution and structure of intestinal microflora, resulting in poor gut health. Curcumin may partially reverse these changes to improve the microbiome and overall gut health. 

Put a natural, plant-based antioxidant to work for you.

Experts are encouraged about the potential benefits of curcumin supplementation, especially for the population of women in menopause. The anti-inflammatory effect may improve a wide range of menopause symptoms and can be a great complement to the Galveston Diet’s anti-inflammatory approach to nutrition. 

Turmeric Supplement

by Galveston Diet

buy it now

Sources:

_{Curcumin prevents obesity by targeting TRAF4-induced ubiquitylation in m 6 A-dependent manner – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{Physiological and therapeutical roles of ginger and turmeric on endocrine functions – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{Clinical Efficacy of Curcumin and Vitamin E on Inflammatory-Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Primary Symptoms of Menopause in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{Curcumin Supplementation Decreases Intestinal Adiposity Accumulation, Serum Cholesterol Alterations, and Oxidative Stress in Ovariectomized Rats – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{The effect of oral capsule of curcumin and vitamin E on the hot flashes and anxiety in postmenopausal women: A triple blind randomised controlled trial – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{Curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin both prevent osteoarthritis symptoms and decrease the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in estrogen-deficient rats – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{Oral administration of curcumin relieves behavioral alterations and oxidative stress in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of ovariectomized Wistar rats – PubMed (nih.gov)}

_{Effect of Curcumin on the Diversity of Gut Microbiota in Ovariectomized Rats – PubMed (nih.gov)}