Certain foods and nutrients may help support your body in reducing anxiety and improving how your body handles stress. The spices saffron and turmeric may reduce both depression and anxiety.
Although known mostly for its anti-inflammatory effects, curcumin clearly has value for positively impacting stress/anxiety and sleep due at least in part to its ability to increase serotonin levels.
“Some research suggests that turmeric does have a positive relationship with improving mood. Initial research suggests the improvement of mood is related to overall improvement of health and functioning — namely inflammation within the body decreases, pain decreases, and the individual feels better,” Dr.
Turmeric in food is considered safe. However, taking large amounts of turmeric and curcumin in supplement form for long periods of time may cause stomach upset and, in extreme cases, ulcers. People who have gallstones or obstruction of the bile passages should talk to their doctor before taking turmeric.
High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect; if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding. People with liver or bile duct problems should not take turmeric supplements, as they can increase bile production.
Don't take turmeric supplements if:
You're taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil , Motrin ), or Acetaminophen (Tylenol ). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.
“Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage.” Diets rich in plant-based foods are associated with prevention of medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
When taken by mouth: Turmeric is likely safe when used short-term. Turmeric products that provide up to 8 grams of curcumin daily seem to be safe when used for up to 2 months, Also, taking up to 3 grams of turmeric daily seems to be safe when used for up to 3 months. Turmeric usually doesn't cause serious side effects.
One study showed turmeric may increase non-rapid eye movement sleep, suggesting that it might be beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. Research points towards curcumin's for improving underlying causes of poor sleep, such as stress, inflammation, and pain.
But studies of curcumin in animals have found that it could: Affect serotonin and dopamine, brain chemicals that control mood and behavior. Change parts of your brain that respond to stress.
Many ingredients in weight loss supplements have been found to contribute to anxiety. For instance, guarana and green tea extracts are common ingredients in weight loss supplements that contain high amounts of caffeine; while Saint John's wort produces side effects including fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety.
Turmeric will fast-track healing after nerve injury because it contains an active ingredient, Curcumin. According to research, Curcumin promotes the regeneration of the nerves. It also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which make it helpful in relieving pain (nociceptive and neuropathic).
What time should I take my turmeric? Turmeric should be taken with meals to help with absorption. It's also a good idea to divide it into two doses taken 8 to 12 hours apart. This will help increase absorption and keep levels steady in the body.
Most people find success taking turmeric either in the morning to start their day, or at night before bed to combat inflammation from the day's activities. We also recommend that you take turmeric with a meal since curcumin absorption increases when paired with healthy fats.
According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, it is thought that turmeric has a half-life (the time it takes the body to eliminate half of a drug) of 6-7 hours.
Recommended turmeric dosage
The recommended doses of many studies that used turmeric supplements vary from 500-2000 mg per day and higher doses above 10,000 mg per day are also not recommended for long-term use.
Taking a turmeric supplement for four to eight weeks could help to improve the effects of inflammation such as ease the pain of stiff joints or help to improve our general health.
Unfortunately, turmeric doesn't offer a quick fix, so you'll need to take it daily to notice results. If you were wondering how long it takes turmeric to work, this can vary from person to person. However, you should usually expect to start noticing improvements in around 4-8 weeks when taken daily.
Magnesium is ideal when you're stressed or anxious or have trouble sleeping or when your muscles are tight and tense. Turmeric can help to support joint health, comfort and mobility so you can keep doing the things you enjoy. Together these two powerful ingredients help support both muscles and joints.
Turmeric and vitamin D are safe to take together and may even have synergistic effects. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. It's important to choose high-quality supplements that are free from contaminants.
The curcumin in turmeric may lower your blood sugar or blood pressure. If you take medications for high blood pressure, like Warfarin, or diabetes, you should consult with your doctor before adding turmeric tea to your diet.