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 Ginger and Turmeric

The Synergy Between Ginger and Turmeric

The Synergy Between Ginger and Turmeric

The research on the potential health effects of both ginger and turmeric is plentiful, and we are receiving testimonials daily from customers using the ginger power bars for their health & pain management. So let's investigate why Turmeric and Ginger work so well together. 

Ginger is in the family Zingiberaceae, same as turmeric (Curcuma longa), cardamom (Elettariacardamomum), and galangal and has long been used for gastric upsets such as nausea, pain, and inappetence. It combines well with and has many synergies with turmeric.

Anti-Inflammatory

Let’s get a little bit technical for a second…. 

 Ginger contains several active components/oils including:

  1. Sesquiterpines: zingiberene, ar-curcumene, beta-sesquiphellandrene, beta-bisabolene.
  2. Pungent phenolic compounds: gingerols, shogaols, zingerone, paradol. Zingerone and shogaols in larger amounts in dried rhizome and extracts.
  3. Other like diarylheptanoids, which are same family as curcumin.

 

What does that mean for my health?

1. Gastrointestinal Tract - ginger stimulates saliva and bile flow and gastric secretions, improving appetite and intestinal motility, carminative, anti-spasmodic, improves colic, diarrhea, and bloating. It reduces the effect of gluten intolerance and modifies positively the bacterial colonisation of intestinal epithelial cells.

2. Antioxidant - is is a highly significant eliminator of free radicals produced by normal living stress, exercise, radiation (like turmeric it protects against sunburn and other electromagnetic radiation[DE1] such as X-rays), and toxins.

3. Anti-inflammatory - Ginger adds to the potent turmeric effect and operates on similar pathways in the reduction of inflammatory prostaglandins. It has no irritant effect on gastric mucosa and selectively reduces inflammatory cytokines with no interference with essential immunity. It modulates pathways activated in chronic inflammation in arthritis and a demonstrated significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines superior to indomethacin.  

Whole ginger reduces joint inflammation and cellular destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Anti-emetic - There are several mechanisms and components. Ginger is known to reduce cancer radiation GIT distress due to the antioxidant properties, scavenging free radicals, and inhibits lipid peroxidation. It also stops serotonin-induced diarrhea.  It is also great in pregnancy reducing morning sickness.

 5. Anti-ulcer - There is a significant demonstrated inhibition of gastric lesions and protects against the effects of indomethacin.

6. Immunomodulation - is some degree of this with reduced delayed-type hypersensitivity which assists reduction of severity of auto-immune disorders like Crohns [DE2], psoriasis.

7. Glycaemic responseWith an increased insulin sensitivity and leveling serum glucose level, Ginger will inhibits key enzymes controlling carbohydrate metabolism and is insulinotropic rather than hypoglycemia, enhances glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and other tissue improving the insulin resistance condition.

8. Liver ProtectiveFor alcohol-induced liver damage, there are proven significant hepato-protective effects resulting in increased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and protein levels and marked reduction of liver fibrosis. Much like Turmeric, Ginger is also a significant treatment for damaged liver and the two compounds should be used concurrently.

9. Kidney ProtectiveGinger exhibited a significant dose-dependent nephroprotective role in experimentally induced acute renal damage when given as standalone treatment – 250mg/kg or 17.5 gms powder per 70 kg human.

 10. Antimicrobial It enhances aminoglycoside antibiotics by increasing bacterial cell membrane permeability to them in enterococcae, also enhancing intestinal absorption of azithromycin, erythromycin, cephalexins. Anti-Schistosome, anti-nematode, antifungal and antiviral in vitro. Topical application of essential oils of ginger has activity.

11. Chemoprotective Inhibitory effects demonstrated against breast, ovarian, gastric, pancreatic, colonic, prostate, liver cancers and leukemia. Induces apoptosis of cancer cells.

 

There are several key components for this in whole ginger or whole ginger powder.

  • Antihistamine
  • Anti-anxiety similar effect to Valium
  • Positive Inotrope- is an agent that alters the force or energy of muscular contractions including heart.
  • Hypotensive – lowers blood pressure similar to calcium channel blockers like veramil. Similar to Turmeric where also needs to monitor blood pressure.

 

Clinical Uses of Ginger:

  • nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, car sickness, post-operative, post-chemotherapy
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • post-exercise muscle pain – 2 gms powder
  • dysmenorrhoea 250-500 mgs powder 4 times daily during menstruation proved equal to 250 mg mefenamic
  • acid or 400 mg ibuprofen
  • digestive aid, appetite stimulant, saliva flow, gastric secretion
  • flatulence
  • Colic
  • Intestinal spasms
  • Migraines
  • Lowering lipids and cholesterol
  • Pain
  • Cognition
  • Diabetes – improved fasting blood sugar and insulin sensitivity
  • Weight loss – increases fat utilisation and may slow fat absorption.
  • Asthma
  • Ulcerative colitis and IBD – found to equal sulfasalazine

Adverse Effects:

Reported intestinal irritation in some – not common, also heartburn, bloating, contact dermatitis.

Interactions

  • Warfarin – there is a theoretical risk of increased bleeding at a high ginger dose but not evident clinically and no evidence at usual intakes.
  • Antiplatelet drugs – caution.
  • Is fine with pregnancy 

 The research on the potential health effects of both ginger and turmeric is plentiful, and we are receiving testimonials daily and weekly from customers using the ginger power bars for their health & pain management.

 

Have you had your Turmeric and Ginger today?

Dr Doug

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