Turmeric and Weight Loss

Can turmeric be used for weight loss? It looks like we now have an extra excuse to eat more curry. Turmeric, a spice used commonly and often liberally in curried foods has been linked to weight loss, and the prevention of obesity and Type Two Diabetes.

A Million Uses and Counting

These latest findings are only the newest findings linking turmeric to health. This root herb grown in India and Asia has been in use for the treatment of patients for centuries. Some of the common uses anciently included the regulation of menstruation, relieve arthritis pain, and to help liver and digestion functions.

In modern medical research these claims have been substantiated as well as expanded. Now medical researchers are looking into how turmeric can help to ease and treat Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric is also linked to slowing certain degenerative diseases that cause swelling and pain in joints like fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders.

Yet is seems that all the beneficial effects of years past will pale in comparison to the news released in The Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco. It was there that researchers first announced the initial findings of its study on how turmeric acts as a weight regulator.

Eat Curry, Be Thin

In the study subjects were fed with meals high in fat and calories. As expected the weight of subjects in the control group increased. The mice in the test group dined on the same fare, but with the addition of turmeric as the secret ingredient. The result was a measurable and significant loss of fat and weight. Although mice were the stars of the research, doctors very optimistic that similar results will be seen in human tests.

It is thought that one of the mechanisms turmeric effects is fat metabolism. The body’s added ability to rid itself of fats will lend to weight loss in spite of a fatty diet.

These test results are still in the infancy of research. Before a broad statement can be levied at turmeric’s real weight loss potential much more research, especially tests which include homosapien subjects need to be conducted.

Researchers say that to use turmeric as a dietary supplement a does of 1 ½ teaspoons each day seems to be the ideal dose. Remember that while spicing up the diet with turmeric; make sure you still balance your diet, exercise and rest.