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Turmeric is a distinctive yellow-orange spice used as flavoring for ethnic dishes like Indian curry.  Furthermore, research has shown that it is not just a spice for providing pizzazz to food but it also possesses health benefits.  And since it comes in powder form, it can easily be consumed either as supplements or as addition to cooked food.

Curcuminoids, which are the active ingredients in turmeric, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thus, making them useful in both prevention and intervention.  Other properties that continue to be discovered include antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, antimutagen and anticancer.

1. Inflammation of the Joints

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can significantly reduce the pain felt by rheumatoid arthritis patients.  Keep in mind that the pain can be attributed to the inflammation of the joints- the less inflammation, the less pain felt.

2. Flu Protection

It must be emphasized that turmeric is not a cure-all substitute for flu shots and staying healthy in flu prevention.  However, it possesses antiviral properties helpful in protecting against numerous flu strains, thus, preventing its replication in the body.

3. Promotion of Cardiovascular Health

A clinical study has shown that turmeric lessens cholesterol levels as potently as Clofibrate.  Other studies have pointed to turmeric’s ability to lower triglycerides levels, too.  These findings point to the great potential of turmeric to promote cardiovascular health.

4. Fight Cancer

Preliminary studies on turmeric’s anticancer possibilities point to its ability to slow down the growth of certain types of tumors.  Plus, demographic research points to the observation that people living in areas where turmeric is a favored spice, like India, have the lowest cancer rates in the world.

5. Weight Loss and Weight Management

Turmeric promotes faster fat metabolism.  As such, it can be very helpful in the promotion of weight loss as well as in the maintenance of a healthy weight.  Said action is attributed to the increased flow of bile and, hence, to faster fat burning.  In fact, many weight loss supplements contain turmeric as an active ingredient.

6. Digestive System Protection

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric lessens the congestion and inflammation brought by stagnant mucous membranes in addition to stimulating gastric mucus production.  As such, it is very useful in people with irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease and diarrhea.  Even the itching that accompanies anal fissures and hemorrhoids can be significantly lessened by the consumption of turmeric.

7. Pain Reliever

Turmeric acts a natural pain reliever due to its antispasmodic properties, which means that it can smoothen the kinks in the muscles as well as reduce digestive and menstrual cramping.  This is good news for women suffering from dysmenorrheal cramps.

8. Faster Wound Healing

Due to its antiseptic properties, turmeric promotes faster wound healing.  Just apply to the affected area to generate the best results.

9. Protection against Asthma Attacks

If you have asthma, you can take turmeric supplements to strengthen your lungs against the onslaught of asthma attacks. 

10. Blood Sugar Stabilization

Turmeric assists in stabilizing blood sugar levels especially in diabetics.

Again, turmeric works when you consume sufficient amounts of it.  Try adding turmeric to your grains and beans as well as oatmeal, take digestive bitters or take supplements.

You could say one of the main reasons there are problems in the environment is due to the early development of products at a time when people were unaware of such problems. Polybrominated Diphenylethers (also known as PBDEs), for example, have been used for many years as fire retardants. On the surface, this would be a good thing. The problem with PBDEs is that they are derived from chemical roots that do not break down easily and can have a negative impact on the environment as a result. Since PBDE chemicals are found in tons of products such as computer casings, carpets, furniture, appliances, and insulation, it is not easy to reduce the presence of PBDE.

There are three distinct types of PBDE products out there. They are penta, octa, and deca PBDE and you need to be on the lookout for them when you make a purchase. The problem is, however, their presence is not mentioned on any products you purchase. That means you need to perform a little research that is certainly more than cursory in order to avoid purchasing such items you wish to avoid.

The presence of such PBDEs in the environment can cause harm to plant and animal life. This is why it is so important people discover its presence in so many products. Understanding that the chemical exists is the first step towards making sure it is disposed of properly. Again, you want to reduce the potentially negative impact the items will have on the environment by reducing the unsafe exposure of the products when they are discarded.

Also, it is important to note that any exposure to PBDEs comes with certain risks. For example, studies have linked the exposure of such toxins to liver and organ damage. As a result, you might wish to be very wary of the presence of these items in the home. Your exposure to them could lead to chronic illnesses over time. The sad part is that many people that suffer from such exposure are not even aware of the origins of the exposure or that it has even occurred. Rather, they are left with the end result which is certainly not pretty.

There are certain steps that can be taken to reduce your potential exposure to the chemicals in your home. Making sure to keep your home clean and free of dust is always a positive step. You also need to make sure that it is properly ventilated which will further add to the ability to reduce exposure and other such problems. Granted, these are minor steps but they come with big potential safety rewards. We are talking about your health here so there are no steps that can be considered small in this regard.

Increasing your education and awareness level would be another positive step in this regard. When you have serious concerns about a product’s impact on the environment, you need to learn as much about the product as possible. Awareness and activism go hand in hand.