Dr Eric Berg DC has claimed that taking a daily spoonful of the common kitchen spice can have a huge impact on your health
Dr Eric Berg DC has unveiled what he calls the “number one most powerful remedy in the world.” The health expert specialises in ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body uses fat for energy instead of glucose.
Ketosis is often viewed as beneficial primarily because it promotes weight loss by making the body use fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. This process can lead to reduced appetite, improved blood sugar and blood pressure control, and positive changes in cholesterol levels, particularly for those with conditions like type 2 diabetes.
On his YouTube channel, where he frequently posts educational videos about health and fitness, he informed his 13 million subscribers about the benefits of a common kitchen cupboard spice. He lauded the ‘powers’ of turmeric, stating: “Let’s talk about the number one most powerful remedy in the world.
“Out of all the natural remedies that you can take this one has the most broadspectrum benefits. I’m not talking about vitamin D, we’re talking about a very powerful compound in turmeric called curcumin. There’s such a wide range of effects that curcumin can do to your body.”
Dr Berg suggests turmeric has numerous health benefits and “should become a staple in your diet”, reports Surrey Live. Here are some of the potential benefits of turmeric he mentions:
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and could help you live longer:
Dr Berg, while discussing the top health benefits of turmeric, highlighted its potent anti-inflammatory properties. “It inhibits five major enzymes (NF-kB, COX-2, LOX, INF-2 and IL-6) involved with inflammation – improving your arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, anything related to ‘itis’ and chronic inflammation, including inflammation in your gut.”
He added: “Number two. It’s a very powerful antioxidant, it can increase longevity.” Citing a book titled Deprenyl: The Anti-ageing Drug, Dr Berg explained that a compound in our bodies called MAO-B “eats up certain neurotransmitters in the brain” and “can put you at risk of Alzheimer’s”.
However, he pointed out that deprenyl is an inhibitor of MAO-B. “What you should know, is that curcumin is also an inhibitor of MAO-B. This is why curcumin helps anything related to brain degeneration.”
He shared a study from the book where researchers injected elderly mice three times a week with deprenyl and found “there was a restoration of sex activity in these animals” and it “enabled them to live far longer than the control animals”.
The longest living mouse in the control group survived for 164 weeks. However, the longest surviving mouse from the deprenyl (and curcumin) group survived 226 weeks. The doctor commented: “That’s 56.5 months, if we correlated that over to human years, it’s 130 years old.”
Dr Berg has highlighted that turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, can reduce neuroinflammation in the brain. According to him, “there are many chronic degenerative diseases that relate to the degeneration of your brain, which can affect your cognitive function, memory and mood.”
He further added: “Curcumin also increases a compound called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). That is a compound that actually helps increase the growth and survival of neurons, a.k.a brain cells. Lower levels of BDNF were found in people that were depressed and have cognitive decline. There’s also some data to show that curcumin can help inhibit beta-amyloid plaguing, which is seen in Alzheimer’s.”
Benefits of turmeric on your heart:
Regarding heart health, Dr Berg claims that turmeric can significantly benefit this vital organ by protecting and enhancing the function of the endothelial layer within your arteries. “This is where a lot of things happen – the start of clotting, the start of plaquing in the arteries, the start of high blood pressure – curcumin protects that layer. Being a powerful anti-inflammatory, it can decrease scar tissue that can grow inside those arteries.”
Despite turmeric’s impressive health benefits, Dr Berg warns that our bodies don’t easily absorb it. “One of the problems that people mention about cumin is its poor bioavailability.” But he advises that combining it with black pepper enhances its absorption. “You’re going to get better absorption”, he said.
How to incorporate turmeric into your diet:
Dr Berg shared how he enjoys turmeric, explaining how he will often have it at night before bed as a tea or use it in a curry. For a comforting alternative, blend turmeric into hot milk to create golden milk, or toss it into your morning smoothie for an extra health kick.
Dr Berg shared his personal tip: “You can take a teaspoon, put it some boiling water, let it cool off and make a tea out of it and sip that before you go to bed.” He also highlighted the benefits of golden milk, a traditional Indian beverage made by mixing turmeric with milk.
Limiting your golden milk intake to just one serving each day can help prevent any unwanted side effects from excessive curcumin. If you’re looking to incorporate turmeric into your meals, Dr Berg suggests adding it to a curry. “What I like to do is make a curry out of it. Put it on chicken with other spices and consume that as your last meal of the day,” he said.
Where to get turmeric:
When sourcing turmeric, you’ll find it readily available in most supermarkets’ herb and spice sections. It’s also sold in supplement form at numerous pharmacies and health shops, including Boots.
Dr Berg reassures that you don’t need to go overboard with the quantity; research suggests that daily intakes ranging from 500 to 2,000 mg can be beneficial, particularly when using an extract. However, the ideal dosage might differ depending on the specific health concern being targeted, as no universally accepted dosing guidelines exist.
Healthline notes that while there’s no definitive agreement on the most effective doses of turmeric or curcumin, certain amounts have been used in studies with positive outcomes.
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Before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle, it’s crucial to consult with your GP. Make sure to book an appointment to discuss whether certain over-the-counter supplements and foods are safe for you, especially if you’re currently receiving treatment for a medical condition.
While research on turmeric is promising, it’s not a magic bullet. The most effective ways to avoid chronic health issues include maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, drinking plenty of water, getting sufficient sleep, avoiding processed food, and exercising regularly.
But who should steer clear of turmeric?
Although it’s generally considered safe for most people, those on certain medications – like blood thinners and diabetes drugs – should be cautious. If you fall into these categories, make sure to speak to your doctor first.
In research settings, doses as high as 12 grams per day have been briefly administered without showing any toxic effects. However, some side effects have been reported, including allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
