CURCUMIN IMPROVES CELLS’ RESPONSE TO SUGAR

The recent study on Curcumin was published in a very formidable scientific journal called Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. It’s a weekly, peer-reviewed journal focusing on biochemistry.

Unfortunately, it’s not at the top of most mainstream doctors’ reading lists. (That’s assuming they even have time to read scientific journals in the miniscule amount of free time they have between seeing patients. And as most admit, they certainly don’t.)

When I came across the study, I knew immediately just how significant the results could be…only if more people knew about them. And I knew I needed to share them with you, dear reader, even though it takes us into some heavy-duty biochemistry. So, stick with me and we’ll go through it together…

For this study, researchers applied Curcumin to rat and human cells. And that application of curcumin had three key results.

First, it effectively suppressed a metabolic pathway used by glucose (blood sugar) in rat and human cells. This observation means Curcumin slowed the uptake of sugar into the bloodstream—which is ALWAYS a good thing. The more slowly sugar is released into the bloodstream, the better chance your body avoids spikes of glucose, which leads to insulin problems.

Second, the application of curcumin suppressed two enzymes key to the process of gluconeogenesis (a metabolic pathway, which produces glucose and maintains blood sugar levels).

Essentially, Gluconeogenesis is a work-around way for your body’s metabolism to maintain energy. This bodily process is often the target of better Type II diabetic therapies that inhibit glucose formation as well as stimulate glucose uptake by cells.

For instance, metformin initially works to prevent absorption of glucose from the GI tract into the blood stream to begin with. Whereas insulin-type drugs drive sugar from the blood—an effect that’s only partially beneficial. While it’s true that excess sugar leaves the blood, that excess then needs a place to go, so it enters the tissues. (That’s why metformin is better than insulin and has all the other benefits—as I have explained many times.)

Curcumin suppressed the two enzymes (PEPCK and G6Pase), which are responsible for converting fat to glucose, and carbohydrates to free glucose. And, again, anything that keeps extra blood sugar out of the blood stream, and the body, benefits you immensely.

The third observation compared the application of curcumin to the application of metformin, the first-line Type II diabetes drug. Now, stick with me, because this part is really important…

The researchers found that curcumin applied to the rat and human cells increased the creation of AMPK, a key enzyme involved in glucose uptake (good insulin sensitivity), with 400 times the potency of metformin.

Furthermore, when the human body digests curcumin, it results in a product called tetrahydrocurcuminoid (THC), a metabolite with strong antioxidant properties. (I should note that this is NOT the tetrahydrocannabinoid THC found in cannabis.) And the researchers found when they applied THC to the rat and human cells, it increased the creation of AMPK with 100,000 times the potency of metformin!

All this scientific jargon simply means that curcumin and THC (curcumin‘s product in the body) help improve the cells’ response to glucose. And it improves the body’s response even better than metformin.

Dr. Ajay Goel of Baylor University Medical Center in Texas commented on this important study in an interview. He praised curcumin‘s various other benefits, adding that curcumin‘s superiority to the drug metformin for treating diabetes is the “icing on the cake.”

Metformin (also a natural compound—derived from the ancient European folk remedy, French lilac) is the one and only drug Doctors ever recommend for managing high blood sugar and Type II diabetes.

Fewer people progress to Type II diabetes with curcumin

In another study conducted in Thailand (where curcumin-rich curry dishes are prevalent), researchers followed 240 men and women with pre-diabetes. The researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either 250 mg per day of curcumin or placebo capsules for nine months.

After nine months, 16 percent of the placebo group developed full-blown Type II diabetes. But none of the participants who received the daily curcuminsupplement ended up with diabetes during the course of the study.

While scientists continue down their research rabbit holes trying to explain the elusive, active ingredients responsible for curcumin‘s many benefits, we know that those who consume turmeric in food quantities as a spice reap many amazing health benefits, such as increased longevity and 50 percent reductions in the rate of dementia. It should be noted, however, that for superior blood sugar control, adding turmeric to your diet alone may not be quite enough. This is one instance where supplementation is necessary.

Nonetheless, the vast number of health benefits are well worth the effort of seeking out a high-quality CURCUMIN supplement.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

drmicozzi.com