Turmeric Supplements for Yoga
Turmeric could be the most beneficial dietary supplement on the market right now.
Many reputable studies show that it has amazing benefits for our body and mind - making it a perfect supplement for yogis.
In this article, we'll break down the benefits of turmeric for your health and performance, along with revealing what we feel is the best turmeric supplement for yogis available right now.
What is Turmeric and How Does it Work?
Turmeric is a plant closely related to the ginger family. It grows mainly in India and Indonesia.
Curcumin, the main active ingredient of turmeric, is what gives turmeric its golden color and amazing health benefits.
An overview from the 2007 edition of Advanced Experimental Medical Biology reports that curcumin has antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
As a result, it has the potential to help protect against a wide range of diseases, mental deterioration, allergies, arthritis, diabetes and other chronic ills.
In the context of yoga, turmeric can be especially helpful if you suffer from joint pain or discomfort, as well as any kind of chronic inflammation.
Turmeric Benefits for Yoga
Soothes Joint Pain
Recent research shows that turmeric - or more precisely, its active ingredient curcumin - has incredible anti-inflammatory effects.
Unlike ibuprofen or aspirin, curcumin reduces inflammation naturally, without straining your liver or kidneys.
Turmeric has been found particularly effective in treating arthritis and exercise injuries. So, it can help you with yoga recovery as well.
A 2009 study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that curcumin eased the pain and improved knee function of 107 study participants just as well as ibuprofen.
Eases Digestion
Turmeric enhances your gut wall integrity and thins the mucus. Too much mucus in the gut can impair our body's ability to detox and absorb nutrients, resulting in the congestion in our lymph system.
Additionally, turmeric supports bile flow. We need bile to break down the fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins from foods. Our bodies also excrete toxins such as heavy metals through bile. This is why a deficiency in bile can lead to a build-up of toxins in your body over time.
Helps With Fat Loss
Some studies suggest that turmeric's anti-inflammatory benefits might also extend to our metabolism.
Inflammation is known to influence how your body stores fat. The more inflamed you are, the easier it is to gain weight. And the more weight we gain, the higher the levels of inflammation. Obviously, your brain, your joints and your immune system also feel the heat.
Luckily, turmeric might help stop this vicious cycle. Its shown to stimulate certain processes and expressions in your body that regulate your metabolism - helping to keep weight gain at bay.
Turmeric may not affect our weight directly, but rather by influencing the underlying inflammation & biological pathways that regulate your metabolism.
Improves Brain Health
BDNF, or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, is a protein that helps you grow new brain cells. Its importance is underlined by the fact that low BDNF levels are linked to brain diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's.
Some studies show that depressed people tend to have lower BDNF levels in the hippocampus, an area of the brain that regulates our mood and cognition.
Interestingly, giving an antidepressant seems to increase BDNF (and consequently, neurogenesis) and lead to an improvement in symptoms. But when you block neurogenesis, the antidepressant stops working.
Turmeric's active compounds have been shown to increase our brain's BDNF levels, improving overall mental health and even potentially reversing brain diseases in the process.
The curcumin in turmeric also boosts dopamine. In turn, improving your ability to focus. This can help you be more present when doing yoga.
Bolsters Your Body's Antioxidant Defenses
Oxidative stress leads to damage in our body, and is thought to be one of the culprits behind aging and numerous diseases.
It is caused by free radicals, small and unstable molecules that miss one electron.
The main reason why everyone talks about antioxidants is that they protect your body from harm caused by free radicals.
Turmeric is packed full of antioxidants that have extra electrons, which they donate to free radicals, neutralizing them in the process.
The curcumin in turmeric also boosts the activity of your body's native antioxidants - including glutathione and superoxide dismutase. This way, it delivers a powerful one-two punch against free radicals.
May Help Prevent and Treat Cancer
Uncontrolled cell growth is one of the hallmarks of cancer.
Different forms of cancer exist, but many of them have some things in common. Some forms of cancer appear to be affected by turmeric (and curcumin) supplements.
In fact, there's a lot of research around curcumin's effects on cancer growth, development and spread at the cellular level. Multiple studies show that the "old-age" spice helps fight the spread of cancerous cells, along with reducing their growth and even killing cancer cells themselves.
In a 30-day clinical trial with 44 men, 4 grams of curcumin per day led to a 40% reduction in lesions in the colon that sometimes become malign.
Drishti Ashti - The Best Turmeric Supplement for Yogis
Yoga supplements are more popular than ever today.
As a yogi who leads an active lifestyle, you want to improve flexibility, strengthen joints and get relief from aches and stiffness that may limit your performance.
Drishti Ashti's all-natural joint nutrients - including a highly effective form of turmeric - are handpicked and combined to support your active joint demands.
Ginger is added to promote healthy digestion and energy levels. Along with BioPerine which enhances nutrient absorption in your body.
Drishti Ashti helps:
- Soothe, lubricate, and regenerate joints for your yoga practice and long-term health
- Help promote anti-aging
- Support normal cardiovascular function
- Supports tendons, ligaments and cartilage
- Improve brain function
Safe for Daily Use
Ashti's formula is made from eco-friendly ingredients that are more powerful, perfect for yogis who're looking to avoid synthetic OTC joint relief pills that cause unwanted side effects.
- Protects joints from inflammation and destructive free radicals
- Easy on the stomach
- 100% natural, clean vegan formula