Not only a brain healer, aromatic turmerone also kills cancer cells.
Studies of various cell lines have concluded that this potent compound causes cancer cell death and prevents existing cancerous tumors from growing by activating proteins in the body that further attack cancer cells (5, 6, 7, 8).
But wait—there’s more.
In 2005, ar-turmerone as an active phytochemical in turmeric was found to regulate blood glucose:
“These results indicate that turmeric is a promising ingredient of functional food for the prevention and/or amelioration of type 2 diabetes and that curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and ar-turmerone mainly contribute to the effects.” (9)
These studies and others demonstrate that to get the most benefit from this extraordinary rhizome, you have to eat the entire thing, not just a curcumin extract.
The ability of the body to use turmeric’s nutrition purely in the form of curcumin is limited; absorption increases substantially when aromatic turmerone is ingested with it (10). Additionally, there is more ar-turmerone in fresh turmeric than in dried (11).
It’s become easier to find whole turmeric in supermarkets; natural food stores will carry it if your local market doesn’t. Turmeric can be cooked (with black pepper to increase its bioavailability), or eaten raw in a salad, smoothie, or on a sandwich.
Nature’s Miracle, Indeed
Please be aware, however, that if you are taking certain medications, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects can occur as the result of chemical interactions. Do not take turmeric as medicine if you are on blood thinners, antacids, or diabetes drugs.