According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, nearly 60 percent of Americans — the highest ever — are taking prescription drugs.
And those numbers are on the rise: prescription drug use among people 20 and older has shot up from 51 to 59 percent since 2000.
As more people pop prescriptions to manage everything from high blood pressure to joint pain to hypertension and diabetes, more people will be exposed to the risks of these potentially deadly medications.
In fact, 2.74 million people are hospitalized every year because of complications from prescription drugs, according to Harvard University. About 128,000 die each year from drugs prescribed to them. (1)
This makes prescription drugs a major health risk. It ties with stroke as the 4th leading cause of death in America!
Fortunately, safer, natural alternatives to modern medicine do exist. One of the most exciting of these is turmeric, the Golden Spice.
Turmeric: Nature’s “Super Spice”
Turmeric is a root plant, a close relative of ginger, that gives Indian curry its appetizing golden hue. This “super spice” has been used for nearly 4000 years in traditional Indian medicine and is also one of the most well-studied natural medicines here in the west.
The discovery that India has some of the lowest Alzheimer’s rates in the world sparked the west’s interest in turmeric. Researchers first investigated turmeric powder and curcumin as a memory aid supplement, but they quickly realized it was good for much more than brain health.
There are currently more than 6000 peer-reviewed and published studies on the health benefits of turmeric and its active compound, curcumin. (2) According to this body of research, there are over 550 medical benefits of turmeric.
5 Ways Turmeric Trumps Modern Medications
1. Cholesterol regulators
Statin drugs (like Lipitor) pose a grave risk to your kidney and liver health. Worse: these drugs only treat the symptom (high cholesterol) without addressing the root cause (high blood sugar levels and chronic inflammation).
Turmeric is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties which helps to address the chronic inflammation that can drive cholesterol levels up.
More good news: one study found that curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) administered for just 7 days reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol levels by 11.63%, and increased “good” HDL cholesterol levels by 29%. (3)
2. Painkillers
Turmeric and curcumin are at the cutting-edge of innovative pain management solutions.
In one study, curcumin proved effective at reducing diabetic neuropathic pain. (4) Another study found curcumin and turmeric to be effective at managing the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis. (5)
Perhaps what’s most exciting about this research is that fact that, unlike many traditional painkillers, turmeric is non-addictive and does not come with potentially deadly side effects.
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Related Content: Magnesium — Nature’s Perfect Pain Killer!
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3. Anti-depressants
In one study of 60 volunteers diagnosed with major depressive disorder, researchers found that curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) was as effective as Prozac at managing depression.
According to the study authors, “This provides first clinical evidence that curcumin may be used as an effective and safe modality for treatment in patients with major depressive disorder without concurrent suicidal ideation or other psychotic disorders.” (6)
4. NSAIDs
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin), and naproxen (Aleve). These are among the most common drugs used in America.
They also cause more preventable drug-related hospital admissions than any other drug. (7)
Good news if you use these drugs to help manage headaches, sore joints, and chronic pain: dozens of studies have shown that turmeric (curcumin) is effective at reducing pain caused by inflammation. (8)
5. Diabetes medications
Turmeric can be a safe and effective way to lower blood sugar and reverse insulin resistance.
A study published in Biochemistry and Biophysical Research Communications found that turmeric was 400 to 100,000 times more potent than the popular diabetes drug Metformin at activating AMPK — an enzyme which helps to improve insulin resistance and can reverse type 2 diabetes. (9)
Time To Ditch Your Drugs?
Turmeric has proven effective at managing many common health conditions. But does that mean you should clean out your medicine cabinet and ditch your prescription drugs?
Not exactly.
This article is not intended to offer medical advice and any changes you make should be discussed with your doctor. If you’re interested in a more holistic approach to health, though, I encourage you to bring the topic up with your family practitioner.
A friend of mine was recently told by his doctor that his cholesterol levels were too high. As the doctor was writing out a prescription for Lipitor my friend asked, “What about making some changes to my diet?”
My friend said his doctor looked STUNNED for a second before replying, “Oh, no one ever asks about making lifestyle changes.”
The fact is, most doctors don’t think twice about whipping out a notepad and scratching a prescription down on it. But what of the health risks?
Remember: prescription drugs are now the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. Even a properly administered prescription can be deadly.
Talk with your doctor about ALL of the different paths (including lifestyle changes and alternative medicine) you can travel to the health you deserve!
And if you’re interested in alternative cures, here’s something else you should know:
We’ve created a new premium turmeric supplement here at Perfect Origins.
It’s called Perfect Turmeric Max.
What makes Perfect Turmeric Max unique?
Simple:
With just one easy-to-swallow capsule of Perfect Turmeric Max twice a day before meals, you’ll get the full clinical dosage of turmeric.
Most similar supplements on the market only deliver a fraction of the clinical dosage of turmeric you need.
Why is getting the full clinical dosage important?
It’s important because that’s the only you can be confident your turmeric supplement delivers the benefits you need for a long, healthy, vibrant life.
To learn more about Perfect Turmeric Max, and to see if we have any bottles left in stock, click HERE.
Hi Doctor Charles my name is idalmis l like to take natural medicine than others drugs but my question is The perfect Turmeric can help to loses weight or not even when lam 50 years old
Hello Idalmis,
Yes Perfect Tumeric will also help you loose weight!
Thanks for your medical education on use of Turmeric. I use this with my breakfast beverage.
What spoon size will make up the required usage- teaspoonful, ? for my daily requirements? I’m 74year old, male.
Your response will be highly appreciated.
Jacob
Hello Jacob,
It really just depends on the brand, the Milligrams, and the pureness of the Tumeric you use. So I am sorry, I can not tell you for sure.
This is ours and it is a full clinical dosage of Tumeric
Amount Per Serving % DV
Turmeric(Curcuma Longa)(root) 1200mg *
Turmeric 95% Curcuminoids 100mg *
BioPerine 10mg.
God bless.
Hi Dr Livingston. My question is .. will a poultice made with turmeric & applied to an inflamed / swollen area on the body (wrist ,back, knee,etc.) actually alleviate pain? Has it been proven to do this? Thank You for being available to answer our questions!
Good day, is it ok to use the LEPTIBALANCE and Perfect Flush together?
Hi Mark, yes you can take these together 🙂
Hello Mark,
Yes Perfect flush works with your digestive system, helping to clean out the
“drain” we are working on optimizing your body for health and weight
loss and Our Lepti Balance supplement work on different areas of the body to help
the hormone in the body that controls hunger and
feelings of satiety.
I don’t know your case history, so always check with your health care practitioner
when making changes to your diet or exercise or supplements.
This sounds very interesting. I see its recommended to use 400 mg a day. Do these come in capsules? if so what is the price and where do you get them. Darlene Smith.
rodar2728@sbcglobal.net
Hi Darlene, yes that is a minimum dose. We recommend a clinical dose of 1200mg a day or 1 600mg cap 2x a day. You can find it here: https://www.perfectorigins.com/product/detail/perfectTurmeric
Hello Dr. I bought turmeric but powder . How much should I use every day?
Thanks. LUCELLY
Hello Lucelly, I would try to get in about 400mg a day.
Thank you for this very helpful information.
I have a lung bleeding problem known as Massive Hemoptysis, and have had ‘bleeds’ off and on for about 30 years now…never know when it will happen……so I do not dare use Turmeric as I understand it thins the blood. I do take a large number of supplements and have for years…have several ‘maladies’ including osteoarthritis, and knees worst painful part of that, on occasion hip too…am 72 so made it this far. Wish I could take the Turmeric as think it could possibly help with my ‘maladies’…take a lot of vitamin K-1 to help the bleeding situation, and Rutin to help strengthen veins/vessels…so far I have not ever met nor read anything from anyone who has this condition…kinda feel like I am alone in the world with this malady!
Hi Mae, yes, that is an odd one. I’d find a holistic practioner or a functional medicine doctor to see if they could give you a second opinion on the matter. Also cut out wheat and dairy for the next 2 months and see if that helps!
How many MG’s of turmeric should I take for liver damage due to past alcohol use, ibuprophen use, and consuming too much sugar and processed foods? I am female, 55 yrs. old & weigh 138 lbs. What product would you recommend with really good absorption? I am not taking any prescriptions and am now eating a whole food diet.
Hi Kathleen, the recommended dosage is between 400-600mg a day. Look for a turmeric that is liposomal or that has piperine paired with it for maximum absorption.
Dr. I am currently taking turmeric and curcumin. I was told I needed another supplement for my body to absorb the turmeric. Could you please share that information. I have neuro sarcoidosis along with Diabetes , neuropathy, RA and Interstitial lung disease. I have been researching and I and have stopped many prescription drugs I was taking. At one time, I believe I was on a prescription for every organ of my body. Contrary to how this sounds, I am basically healthy/ and intend to stay that way. My biggest concern is stabilizing my sugar. Diabetes was rampant in my parents families and I have been low to no sugar since the mid 80’s. I have been on large doses of Prednisone for many years, but no longer. What dosage would you suggest to help this problem?
Wow Ruby, I’m glad to hear that you are taking charge of your health and doing your own research. If I were in that position, I would be loading up on healthy fats. An omega 3, MCT oil or coconut oil, avocados, etc. As for turmeric, I’d take at least 450 mg a day. Take it with black pepper, or piperine which is a supplement. and with a healthy oil such as olive or coconut to boost absorption. I’d also work on detoxing your liver since you were on so many prescription drugs.
TUMERIC, 750MG PER DAY WAS THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS. Within 3 days, I lost 5 lbs due to the decrease in inflammation and friends exclaimed upon seeing me, “The old Sheila is back! What have you been doing?”. The change was that dramatic. I have inflammatory arthritis that had been treated with Enbrel for 8 years but when it stopped working and I got liver/kidney problems, I have been trying to treat everything holistically. 750 mg/day is a higher dose than most people would need but it was necessary in my case. Everyone should be on a mild dose if you are over 50 and beginning to experience problems. It is not that expensive.
How do you take turmeric and curumin? What dosage? Where do you buy them – a trusted brand?
Hi Pati, we have turmeric in our Livlean formula, so I get it that way and I would eat foods with Turmeric Spice and I do a liposomal turmeric. Here is one I found on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Liposomal-Curcumins-IV-Equivalent/dp/B019HPD7EE/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1473265076&sr=8-3&keywords=liposomal+curcumin These have a very good absorption rate. Good Luck and keep me posted!
I am taking Tumeric but also drugs prescibed and would like getting off them.
Hi Joan, good for you! If you’d like to get off your drugs, you’ll need to talk with your medical doctor and make a plan with him to get off of them. If he doesn’t agree, then I would get a second opinion from a medical doctor who practices functional medicine and see if he has an option for you. Hope that helps!