For most of us it’s not just wisdom we gain with age, it’s pounds too.
You may not have even noticed at first. But then one day you realized your favorite jeans were cutting off your circulation. Or your suit jacket wouldn’t button up anymore unless you held your breath.
If this sounds familiar, you’re far from alone. But if those pounds are sticking to your midsection it’s not just a new wardrobe you need to be concerned about, it could be a warning sign of a serious health issue.
One that researchers say might be reversed using a common herb you can find in your own kitchen.
More on that on a moment.
Signs you may have metabolic syndrome
A big belly is often an outward sign of a group of symptoms that add up to a condition called metabolic syndrome.
You may have heard of metabolic syndrome before, but here’s a refresher.
Sufferers of metabolic syndrome… often the first step towards full-blown diabetes… typically have a clustering of symptoms that include…
- Significant weight gain (usually around the beltline)
- Elevated blood pressure
- High triglyceride levels
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol levels
- Climbing blood sugar levels
Those conditions alone are bad news, but added together they can send your risk for some major health issues through the roof, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Control blood sugar better in 8 weeks with turmeric
But researchers say you could start to reverse those risks—and send metabolic syndrome packing—using a spice you’re probably already familiar with.
The golden yellow spice turmeric—used in in curries and mustards—contains a compound called curcumin that scientists say could be a remedy for those who want to control blood sugar better and reverse the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Researchers had a group of folks with metabolic syndrome take 1000 mg of curcumin daily. After just eight short weeks those who had taken the supplements had far better control over their blood glucose levels, according to the study published in the journal Nutrition.
Anti-inflammatory adiponectin helps regulate glucose
Researchers even know how the herb likely accomplished this feat.
Fat cells produce a protein hormone called adiponectin that’s responsible for reigning in your blood sugar levels and helping to break down fat. Folks who are overweight… which typically includes people with metabolic syndrome… have significantly lower levels of adiponectin that their lean peers.
Which means they’re missing out on some of the hormone’s benefits.
Adiponectin…
- Reduces inflammation in blood vessel walls
- Regulates glucose
- Reduces risk of heart attack
And the more of this hormone you have on board the lower your risk is for obesity-linked diseases including heart disease, fatty liver disease and diabetes.
That’s where curcumin comes into play. It turns out the volunteers who took the spice had their adiponectin levels shoot through the roof. In fact they had a 68 percent jump in their levels.
Beat diabetes, heart disease and more
The bottom line? If you’ve been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome—or if you simply are starting to pack on the pounds around your middle and showing signs of the condition—it’s time to put turmeric on your menu.
The spice could be the key to naturally regulating your blood sugar and heading off diabetes, heart disease and more.
Not a huge fan of curry?
No problem, you can get curcumin, the active extract from turmeric, in an easy to take supplement. You’ll find it almost anyplace that carries vitamins and supplements.
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But even small amounts of turmeric gives me a stomach ache. Even Golden Milk. What to do?
Reduce the amount of turmeric you are using in your milk until your stomach becomes accustomed to the turmeric.
Do just boil it with water? What is the best way to consume it?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your question!
You can sprinkle turmeric, the spice, into your favorite foods such as eggs, soups or meat dishes.You can also buy turmeric/curcumin supplements to match the amount folks were taking in the study, 1000 mg.
–The Healthier Talk Team