What is Viridian's Organic Curcumin Latte?

Curcumin is the major curcuminoid component found in turmeric which is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of traditional use stemming from Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for inflammatory conditions. Curcumin was discovered by Vogel and Pelletier who isolated the orange colour matter in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Other curcuminoids found in turmeric include demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Whole turmeric root also contains essentials oils, polysaccharides, proteins and many non-curcumin phytochemicals, which appear to be as active or important as curcumin itself. As well as its use as a spice, turmeric has been used in India for medicinal purposes for centuries.

Clinical studies have shown that turmeric or turmeric extracts are clinically effective without “enhanced bioavailability.” Several lines of evidence suggest that turmeric and curcumin are absorbed and clinically effective without novel delivery systems such as polysorbate-80 (an artificial emulsifier which has been linked to gastric inflammation) or piperine (a black pepper extract that inhibits detoxification). There is also preliminary evidence to suggest that heating turmeric leads to equal if not superior bioavailability of the active constituents which impact the expression of the gene SLC6A15 associated with risks of depression and anxiety, asthma and eczema.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial plant that grows in India, China and Mexico with the rhizome being used as a popular spice and herbal medicine for thousands of years. It has a long history of use in Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal traditions. The active components of the ginger root are thought to be the volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols. These two constituents have been found to inhibit COX-2 and iNOS.5

Curcumin Latte, traditionally known as ‘Golden Milk’ or ‘Haldi Ka Doodh,’ is a combination of turmeric powder alongside a mixture of aromatic spices mixed into warm, plant-based milk. Originating from South East Asia, this drink has a rich history within Ayurvedic medicine for vitality and acts as a healthy, caffeine free alternative to coffee. This holistic drink poses numerous health benefits which are listed below.

Curcumin latte is a potent ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory properties through the inhibition of the arachidonic cascade. This occurs via phospholipase, lipo-oygenase, COX-2, leukotrienes, thromboxane, prostaglandins, TNF-α and Interleukin-12.6 Therefore, traditionally turmeric has been used for painful disorders and subsequently experimental studies have revealed turmeric’s beneficial action on inflammation and analgesia in osteoarthritis.

Most diseases involve dysregulated inflammation, subsequently studies have revealed that inflammation plays a major role in cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, metabolic diseases, neurologic and psychological diseases. As such turmeric’s potent anti-inflammatory properties there is evidence that turmeric exhibits therapeutic potential in such conditions.

A systematic review looking into the Zingiberaceae family, which includes both turmeric and ginger, investigated their hypoalgesic effects. The outcome concluded that extracts from the Zingiberaceae family are clinically effective hypoalgesic agents with available data showing a better safety profile than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Capsaicin, a major ingredient of chilli peppers, also offers theoretical, anti-inflammatory properties alongside antioxidant benefits.

Cucumin is good for COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Turmeric has been shown to be effective in neurology and cognition. Experimental studies have discovered the beneficial effects on the brain that include reduced inflammatory markers, reduction in beta amyloid plaque production and improved resilience to free radical products.

A review reporting on curcumin and neurological and brain disorders stated that regular turmeric consumption was related to improved cognitive function in elderly patients, that is possibly linked to the four times lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in India than the US, subsequent associated studies suggested the potential to reverse amyloid plaques. A two fold anti-oxidative benefit is reported; curcumin exhibits a direct radical scavenging activity and promotes a reduction in free radicals by improved mitochondrial function, thus activating signalling pathways that play a neuroprotective role by up-regulating intrinsic antioxidant cell defences.

Curcumin latte helps with DEPRESSION

The Mental Health Foundation suggest that a quarter of the population suffer from depression, with 20% of older people and 15-20% of youths. Subsequently such individuals tend to be treated using pharmaceutical antidepressants. Turmeric’s active components have been found to have potent anti-inflammatory effects that have been found to influence mood. This is of importance to the treatment and management of depression and low mood where it is hypothesized that inflammation and neurotoxicity is contributory to depression and low mood. A review on curcumin use in neurological and brain disorders reported that curcumin shows anti-inflammatory properties, has an excellent safety profile over extended periods of use, and can stimulate neuroplasticity and repair, therefore qualifying as an ideal candidate for the treatment of depression. An experimental study showed that curcumin improved serotonin efficacy in the brain in mildly stressed subjects consequently suggesting antidepressant activity.

An interesting study explored the daily administration of 500mg curcumin for 8 weeks compared to placebo for depression. The curcumin treated group showed significant improvements especially in the 4-8-week phase of the study.

Curcumin latte for RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis progressively leads to serious cartilage destruction, affects joint function and leads to restricted movement, pain and chronic disability, all of which consequently impacts on an individual’s quality of life. Subsequently, exploration into the therapeutic effects of turmeric and its active constituent curcumin was deemed beneficial for this condition. Experimental studies revealed turmeric to have anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti- analgesic and free radical scavenging properties within rheumatoid arthritis models.

A pilot study evaluated curcumin alone (500mg) and in combination with diclofenac in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The curcumin group showed the highest significant improvement in the disease activity score, in addition this score was significantly higher than the combination group.

CHRONIC DISEASE - Most diseases involve dysregulated inflammation, subsequently studies have revealed that inflammation plays a major role in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, metabolic diseases, neurologic diseases, and psychological diseases. As such turmeric’s potent anti- inflammatory properties there is evidence that turmeric exhibits therapeutic potential in such conditions.

In type II diabetes mellitus, hyperglycaemia can lead to increased oxidative stress and the production of inflammatory markers. A revealing study investigated the effects of 300mg curcuminoids against atorvastatin and placebo on biomarkers in patients with type II diabetes mellitus for eight weeks. It was reported that the curcuminoid group showed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers that were comparable to the reduction observed in the atorvastatin group. A further type II diabetes mellitus study explored the effects of 500mg turmeric thrice daily administration for two months on diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). It was observed that the serum and urinary biomarkers decreased significantly in the turmeric group.

A review of 5 human clinical trials on type II diabetes mellitus patients showed that administration of 2.8g, 3g or 6g turmeric daily for 4 or 12 weeks respectively or the administration of 300mg or 1500mg curcuminoids daily for 3 or 9 months respectively produced anti-hyperglycaemic and anti- insulin resistance effects. Further suggested benefits included increased fatty acid oxidation as an energy source, improved pancreatic beta cell function, reduction of circulating liver enzymes and improved insulin efficiency.

An adjunctive study administrating 475mg curcumin alongside glyburide, a type II diabetes mellitus treatment, for 11 days saw significantly improved blood glucose control and significantly reduced serum lipid levels when compared to the glyburide treatment alone. Thus, suggesting curcumin to have a blood glucose and lipid lowering effect in type II diabetes mellitus patients treated with glyburide, see figure 4.26

Ingredients:

One half teaspoon provides:

Organic turmeric whole root 485mg Organic turmeric root extract 200mg Providing 85% total curcuminoids
Organic ginger root 175mg Organic chilli powder 35mg Organic cardamom seed powder 35mg Organic cinnamon bark powder 35mg Organic vanilla bean powder 35mg

Directions: As a food supplement, stir half a teaspoon of powder into warmed milk.
Recommended use: Chronic disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cognitive function, Osteoarthritis,

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression.
Safety: Normal therapeutic doses have no reports of toxicity or side-effects.

Contraindications: As turmeric has a mild anticoagulant effect the use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications are not advised. Experimental studies have shown that turmeric may reduce cyclophosphamide efficacy.27 Furthermore, turmeric may increase tamoxifen absorption and bio availability.28

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.

Related products:

Organic Turmeric, Organic Curcumin Extract, Boswellia Serrata, Joint Complex, Joint Omega Oil, Organic Scandinavian Rainbow Trout Oil.