Wednesdays Kyusho (Vital Point) for wellness.

Turmeric has long been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine, cultivated for more than 5,000 years in the tropics of Asia.  The Chinese and Indian systems of medicine have long used this spice as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.

Inflamation Protection

Tumeric contains compounds called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin.  Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

Inflammation is incredibly important, it helps the body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damages.  Without inflammation, pathogens like bacteria could easily take over our bodies and kill us.  Although acute (short-term) inflammation is beneficial, it can become a severe health problem when it is chronic and therefore transitions against the body’s own tissues.  It is also now believed that chronic, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every chronic, Western disease. such as heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and various degenerative condition.  But one key feature of Alzheimer’s as example, is a buildup of protein tangles called Amyloid plaques.  Studies show that curcumin can help clear these plaques, because curcumin has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Cardiovascular Protection

Curcumin may also be able to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the body.  Since oxidized cholesterol is what damages blood vessels and builds up in the plaques that can lead to heart attack or stroke, preventing the oxidation of new cholesterol may help to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.  In addition, turmeric is a good source of vitamin B6, which is needed to keep homocysteine levels from getting too high.  Homocysteine, an intermediate product of an important cellular process called methylation, is directly damaging to blood vessel walls.  High levels of homocysteine are considered a significant risk factor for blood vessel damage, atherosclerotic plaque build-up, and heart disease; while a high intake of vitamin B6 is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

Neurodegenerative Protection

This is important in many diseases, such as arthritis, where free radicals are responsible for the painful joint inflammation and eventual damage to the joints.  Turmeric's combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects explains why many people with joint disease find relief when they use the spice regularly.  In a recent study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was compared to phenylbutazone and produced comparable improvements in shortened duration of morning stiffness, lengthened walking time, and reduced joint swelling.

In numerous studies, curcumin's anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be comparable to the potent drugs hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin.  Unlike the drugs, which are associated with significant toxic effects (ulcer formation, decreased white blood cell count, intestinal bleeding), curcumin produces no toxicity.

However to experience the full effects, then you need to take an extract that contains significant amounts of curcumin and unfortunately since curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream consuming black pepper (containing piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000%).  Curcumin is also fat soluble, so it is more beneficial to use it in a fatty based meal.

Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence.

Learn more on Tumeric and Cancer - Click Here:

Kyusho Benefit:

Inflammation of joints from misuse or over use, is one consideration, but more importantly the attacks to blood vessels is the main need.  As we work with contact to muscles, tendons, bone, joints, nerve and even the vascular tissues and organs, constant targeting can damage small capillaries.  Working with Turmeric as a regular part of our diet can aid in some issues that may arise if not used.

When training in the Dim Mak and blood attacks, we also must be cautious of the plaques that may be present in our training partners.

This is not medical advise, but just as we learn to protect from outside sources, we should also consider protection from inner sources as well.

Turmeric Extracts - Click Here 

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