Once I first began seeing sufferers in Silicon Valley, I observed one thing odd.
Lots of my South Asian sufferers had gentle yellow-orange staining, typically alongside the gumline or on the floor of molars on their tooth.
Once I requested about their diets, turmeric got here up repeatedly. I reassured them the stains weren’t a cause to cease. In actual fact, the other—I informed them turmeric was one of the crucial exceptional issues they may very well be consuming.
On the time—within the 90s and early 2000s—turmeric was simply one other kitchen spice. It could be a number of extra a long time earlier than it turned a wellness development, splashed into golden lattes and smoothie bowls.
However lengthy earlier than wellness cafés, it was an Ayurvedic staple with a historical past measured in centuries. What fascinated me was how a spice so odd on the dinner desk might have such extraordinary results contained in the physique?
Turmeric vs. Curcumin
Right here’s the place many individuals get confused: turmeric is the spice you prepare dinner with, and curcumin is likely one of the lively compounds inside it. They aren’t precisely the identical factor, regardless that folks typically use the phrases interchangeably.
Curcumin alone isn’t simple on your physique to make use of. Its bioavailability is poor. That’s why nearly each efficient components pairs it with black pepper extract (piperine), or binds it to phospholipids (a kind referred to as phytosome). With out that, the capsule in your cupboard could also be near nugatory.
Right here’s the massive shock with regards to turmeric tea: the curcumin content material is so negligible you’d must drink dozens of cups a day to get even one efficient dose. That blows lots of people’s minds—most turmeric teas are extra advertising and marketing than medication.
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Purity Issues
Turmeric is reasonable to develop and course of. That makes it ripe for adulteration (aka contamination or reducing with cheaper components):
- ConsumerLab has discovered manufacturers with nearly no lively curcuminoids.
- Some are contaminated with heavy metals like lead.
- Dietary supplements bought on Amazon are sometimes problematic—many have been discovered with weak doses or heavy steel contamination.
It’s a reminder that sourcing issues. A product that appears good on the shelf can cover severe dangers if it isn’t examined. That is another excuse why I really like manufacturers like Momentous, BIOptimizers and Pique Tea—they check for purity.
I used to be by no means taught about turmeric—or any Ayurvedic apply—in dental college…
Tongue scraping, oil pulling, turmeric… these lived outdoors the curriculum. But sufferers stored bringing them up. When practices survive throughout centuries, it normally means they labored.
That behavior of being attentive to patterns additionally formed how I take a look at mouth respiratory and cavities—patterns I started noticing in sufferers lengthy earlier than anybody was speaking about it on-line. In actual fact, I used to be one of many first dentists to lift the connection publicly, just because I paid consideration and shared what I noticed. Numerous what issues in well being doesn’t begin with randomized managed trials. It begins with noticing patterns, listening to sufferers, and connecting the dots earlier than the analysis catches up. Turmeric is not any totally different.
Some advantages of turmeric are nicely established, whereas others—like cognition—are promising however nonetheless rising.
What the Analysis Says
Excessive‑high quality proof spans each oral and systemic well being:
- Osteoarthritis: Meta‑analyses of randomized trials present curcuminoids cut back knee OA ache and enhance operate vs placebo and carry out equally to NSAIDs, with fewer antagonistic occasions (systematic opinions 2021; 2025).
- Ulcerative colitis: As an adjunct to mesalamine, curcumin elevated medical and endoscopic remission in gentle–average UC (RCT, Medical Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2015). A 2024 evaluate helps profit with good security whereas calling for bigger trials.
- Despair: Pooled RCTs report modest however important reductions in depressive signs vs placebo (meta‑evaluation, Journal of Affective Problems, 2020).
- Allergic rhinitis: Oral curcumin improved nasal signs and airflow in contrast with placebo over 8 weeks (RCT, Annals of Allergy, Bronchial asthma & Immunology, 2016).
- Gingivitis/periodontitis: Curcumin mouthrinses or subgingival gels diminished plaque and gingival irritation and carried out equally or higher than chlorhexidine when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (RCTs: J Indian Soc Periodontol, 2017; J Contemp Dent Pract, 2019; overview in BDJ Workforce, 2021).
- Mechanisms: Researchers have discovered that curcumin calms irritation at a mobile degree. It turns down alerts like NF‑κB that drive persistent irritation and reduces professional‑inflammatory molecules within the physique (corresponding to TNF‑α, IL‑1β, and IL‑6).
- Meta-analyses in Phytotherapy Analysis and Essential Critiques in Meals Science and Diet report that curcumin supplementation considerably lowers markers of systemic irritation like CRP and IL‑6.
- A scientific evaluate within the Journal of Medicinal Meals highlighted turmeric’s position in managing ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, with enhancements in symptom scores and high quality of life.
- Rising analysis in Frontiers in Getting old Neuroscience suggests curcumin could enhance reminiscence and a focus in older adults, supporting its status as a brain-healthy compound.
Turmeric isn’t a blunt anti-inflammatory. Analysis reveals it modulates irritation—dialing down pathways like NF-κB and decreasing professional‑inflammatory cytokines, whereas preserving the conventional immune responses your physique nonetheless wants.
In different phrases, it quiets the persistent, low‑grade fireplace that drives illness with out shutting off your immune system’s pure defenses.
Who Ought to Be Cautious
Turmeric isn’t for everybody. In excessive doses, it might trigger GI irritation or muscle cramps. It could work together with medicines and have an effect on GLP pathways. Kids want pediatric dosing. And if purity isn’t assured, the dangers outweigh the advantages. In case you’re on prescription meds, it’s at all times greatest to ask your physician first.
How I Use It
I take mine with breakfast—eggs and olive oil—or with dinner, at all times alongside fats for higher absorption. The one I take consists of curcumin plus piperine, and it’s third-party examined for purity. That’s non-negotiable.
In case you’re procuring on your personal:
- Search for not less than 500 mg curcumin per serving.
- Be sure that it consists of black pepper extract or a phytosome formulation.
- Keep away from fillers and synthetic colours.
- Select a model that assessments each batch.
I exploit this turmeric for precisely that cause. They check like few others do. I selected them due to their transparency and rigorous batch testing, which stood out in comparison with different manufacturers.
I additionally prepare dinner with turmeric at any time when I can. It provides heat and depth to meals—and sure, it might stain your fingers and counters, however it’s value it.
TRY THIS: Golden Scrambled Eggs: whisk 2 eggs with a pinch of turmeric, black pepper, and a splash of milk. Prepare dinner slowly in olive oil or ghee till delicate and simply set. The fats and pepper enhance curcumin absorption, and the flavour is heat and earthy with out being overpowering.
Backside Line
Turmeric isn’t hype. It’s a low-risk, high-upside solution to help therapeutic and cut back irritation. Whether or not it’s your joints that ache, or your gums that bleed somewhat if you floss—the science is evident: calming irritation adjustments how you’re feeling at present and the way you age tomorrow.
What I’ve realized from sufferers is that a lot knowledge got here lengthy earlier than trendy dentistry—and sometimes, essentially the most highly effective medication is sitting proper there in your kitchen drawer. I’d love to listen to the way you’ve used turmeric in your individual life—reply and share your story.
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