Have you ever found yourself in a situation where no matter how much you exercise or stick to the most restricted diet possible, nothing happens? You do everything right, but those extra pounds just refuse to budge an inch, or you even gain more weight. It can be extremely frustrating! But many times when we put on weight, it is not because we have done something wrong. The problem is that a natural response in your body can be blocking weight loss. And if you happen to be one of these people, certain herbs could help. That's why you need to know about the link between turmeric and weight loss.
We all know that consuming too much food causes weight gain. Your body, bombarded with so much food, stores it as fat. We also know that a diet high in sugars and fats tends to add on the pounds. But what if you do not over-eat and stay clear of fatty and sugary foods, but the scale still goes up?
There are several possible reasons for this. But one of the big ones is called inflammation. And turmeric and weight loss may be something that interests you.
Inflammation is your immune system’s way of working to heal you from stressors. Any stressors. Stress may arise from foods you eat, a demanding work environment, environmental factors like pollution, and even from the electromagnetic fields given off by your appliances. And to heal you, your inflammatory response, as part of your NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response, springs into action.
Inflammation either results as a countermeasure against pathogens or toxins invading your body, or due to your healing process. The process may be accompanied by pain, swelling, redness, or heat in the area. But sometimes, inflammation has no noticeable effects until such time as it presents itself as a health issue. Many inflammatory conditions start out without any discernable discomfort at first, like fibromyalgia as an example. In this case, you may have suffered from chronic inflammation for years before it presents itself as a health condition. And often, adrenal fatigue is overlooked as a possible cause.
Now while a lot can be said about inflammation and its various associated health issues, the focus here is on gaining weight.
Inflammation causes a spike in the production of your body’s stress hormone, cortisol. While cortisol may, at first, counter your inflammatory response, continued exposure to stressors calls for an increased cortisol production that may increase your inflammatory response. This chronic inflammation can cause changes in many different body functions. Examples of these impaired changes include your cognitive ability, metabolism, cardiovascular health, hormones, and of course, your ability to stabilize your weight.
Speaking of hormones, one of those affected by inflammation is leptin. Inflammation interferes with how your brain responds to leptin, the hormone that regulates feelings of satiation in your brain. This may result in you eating more than you would normally because you constantly feel hungry.
Excess weight also increases inflammation. This increased inflammation has a cyclical effect, further increasing hunger and stressing the body.
To add to this, inflammation also has an impact on your body’s ability to produce the ‘feel good’ hormones in your brain. Eating certain foods like sugar can cause a spike of feel-good hormones, followed by a crash. As soon as levels drop though, your brain asks for more. So, you may eat more of the wrong foods. Another cycle starts.
Ultimately, a major and unappreciated way of addressing these cycles is through inflammation reduction. In this case, turmeric and weight loss may help in doing so.
Two things may help you address inflammation: turmeric and weight loss. What is more, not only will turmeric and losing weight help you address inflammation, but turmeric may also even help you lose weight.
There is a lot of literature out there that explicitly indicates that weight loss is associated with a reduction in your blood plasma inflammatory markers. The main reason for this is that, as mentioned, weight gain tends to increase your body’s inflammation levels. Thus, by losing weight, you see a reduction in inflammation.
One of the compounds found in turmeric, curcumin, is a known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. While the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin fight inflammation, its antioxidant properties also play a role. It suppresses the inflammation in your fat cells, pancreas, and cells of your muscles. This may help address various inflammatory conditions. This includes, amongst others, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol levels, and even metabolic conditions.
According to literature, the curcumin in turmeric may aid with weight management in a few ways:
So turmeric and weight loss may go hand in hand by reducing inflammation and helping regulate hormones, but how do you use it?
One option is a curcumin supplement. Curcumin is the most active weight loss compound in the turmeric root. The best type of turmeric supplement is the fermented type, so that it's been broken down by yeast and is easier to absorb by the gastrointestinal tract.
You could also use the spice in your diet by adding it to foods. It is great in curries, added to rice, or in desserts.
It also makes a great tea. All you need to do is add some turmeric powder to boiled water. Some people like adding a dash of cinnamon to this drink and a teaspoon of honey for extra flavor.
You could also add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to warm milk before bedtime.
Know that it is all dose-dependent though, so you might need higher doses if lower doses don't seem to be helping reduce inflammation.
Do remember, however, that no single spice, herb, or supplement will help you lose weight alone. A whole-body approach is needed.
This means you need to make appropriate lifestyle changes like starting an exercise regimen, and taking a long look at your current eating habits, and making necessary changes. These include cutting out sugary or processed foods. Instead concentrate on a diet filled with whole foods, low-fat meat choices, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. And remember, organic is always best.
Eating more fruits, vegetables, and organic foods is also a good way to reduce inflammation.
Although generally considered safe when taken in supplement form, it is always best to talk to your healthcare practitioner before starting a new supplement. They are best able to determine its suitability and dosage. People with certain health conditions may be more susceptible to unusual reactions to turmeric, including those with adrenal fatigue.
Furthermore, little research exists as to turmeric's efficacy in long-term use. It may be best to use it only for less than three months. Also, turmeric may interact with certain medications. These include anti-inflammatories as well as blood-thinning medications.
Possible side effects of taking high dosages of turmeric are usually mild but include:
Turmeric has many great benefits, especially concerning its use as a means of promoting weight loss while following a healthy diet and exercise plan. It may help promote weight loss due to its ability to reduce inflammation, which has a cyclical relationship to weight gain.
You can use turmeric in your diet by adding it to foods, or try supplementing with curcumin, a compound in turmeric. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider about the use and efficacy of a supplement before starting a course.
If you would like to know more about turmeric and weight loss, the team at Dr. Lam Coaching can help. We offer a free** no-obligation phone consultation at +1 (626) 571-1234 where we privately discuss your issues and various options. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor System by clicking here.
Turmeric and weight loss may help fight adrenal fatigue. Obesity is a contributory factor to the condition, as is inflammation. Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help provide adrenal support in many different ways. Always talk to your healthcare provider before using a supplement, however.
