Scientific studies have been ongoing since 2004, but the spicy plant called turmeric has been used since ancient times to treat a variety of different ailments, including arthritis, digestive disorders and infections. In the later half of the 20th century, researchers found that the compound within turmeric having pharmacological activity is curcumin.

Researchers have been looking at a variety of different antioxidants that naturally occur in plants, because antioxidants scavenge free radicals. Free radical damage, within the cells, causes mutations that can lead to cancer.

They are also investigating the health benefits of curcumin as a natural anti-inflammatory, because chronic inflammation plays a role in cancer development, heart disease and many other age-related diseases. The drugs that we have are ineffective against these kinds of diseases.

If we can learn to prevent free radical damage and chronic inflammation, we will start to see a healthier society. Those of us that are aware of these things are already doing everything within our power, in an effort to achieve that goal.

If you are looking for a single ingredient that does more than any other, you won't find it. When you hear recommendations from cautious healthcare practitioners about eating a variety of different plant foods and drinking a variety of different beverages, they are saying that because they want you to have the benefit of the compounds found in the plants, but they are wary of suggestion supplementation.

But, eating curry or turmeric is not the best way to get the health benefits of curcumin. The impact that this compound has on cells is enormous. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to kill cancer cells, without causing damage to healthy cells. 16 separate studies have shown a reduction of cancer in animals that have been given a carcinogen.

In the bloodstream, it inhibits the accumulation of plaques in the arteries and the brain. These plaques are responsible for arterial diseases and Alzheimer's. The problem is this. How do we get it into the bloodstream?

If you want the health benefits of curcumin, you need to choose a well designed supplement that includes an enteric coating and piperine, a compound present in black pepper. The enteric coating protects curcumin from digestive acids, while piperine enhances its bioavailability.

When turmeric is eaten, it is changed by digestive juices and very little gets into the bloodstream. This is true of many other nutrients including SAM-e and resveratrol.

The best supplements on the market contain SAM-e, resveratrol, piperine, turmeric and a wide range of other nutrients, including essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Regardless of healthy and varied your diet may be, it is not possible to get all of the beneficial nutrients found in the natural world, without supplementation. You can get the health benefits of curcumin and much more, if you choose the right supplement.