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The difference between turmeric and
turmeric extract.

Health benefits (especially for the elderly)

As we age, our bodies experience "chronic inflammation" and "degeneration." The curcuminoids in turmeric help to address this in the following ways:

1. Reduces joint pain and osteoarthritis: It has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain, stiffness, and colic in the joints of older adults. (Research has shown that concentrated turmeric extract provides pain relief similar to NSAIDs but is safer for the stomach.)

2. Aids digestion and relieves acid reflux: It stimulates bile production, reducing bloating, flatulence, stomach cramps, and abdominal discomfort, which are very common problems in the elderly due to decreased digestive juices.

3. Antioxidant properties, slows cell degeneration: Helps protect body cells from damage and slows down the deterioration of internal organs.

4. Nourishes the brain and nervous system: Curcumin helps increase BDNF levels in the brain, a protein that promotes memory and learning. It also helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

5. Cardiovascular health: Helps improve the function of blood vessel walls and reduces inflammation in the bloodstream, which lowers the risk of heart disease.

💡 Precautions for use by the elderly.

Although it is a natural herbal remedy, caution should be exercised in elderly individuals with underlying health conditions:

1. Individuals with gallstones or bile duct obstruction:

It should not be consumed because turmeric stimulates bile secretion.

2. Individuals taking blood thinners/antiplatelet medications (e.g., Warfarin, Aspirin) should consult a doctor before taking turmeric, as it may enhance the effects of these medications and make it difficult for bleeding to stop.

3. Absorption:

Curcumin is fat-soluble. If choosing an extract form, it is recommended to take it with food.

Benefits of fish oil

1. What is fish oil, and how does it differ from cod liver oil?

Fish oil is an essential unsaturated fatty acid that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet. It is extracted from various parts of fish, such as the head, tail, or skin.
The difference: Cod liver oil is extracted exclusively from the liver of fish, but fish oil contains higher levels of DHA and EPA (omega-3) than cod liver oil.

2. Benefits of Omega-3 / Fish Oil

Promotes brain and nervous system health: Supports memory, mood, behavior, learning, and brain development in childhood.
Cardiovascular health: Helps reduce blood vessel blockage, increases good cholesterol, decreases bad cholesterol, and lowers the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Relieve and reduce the risk of diseases: Reduce inflammation in the body, lower the risk of cancer, alleviate symptoms of diabetes, joint pain, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, help regulate hormones, and reduce allergy symptoms.

3. Choosing high-quality fish oil.

Source: It should come from deep-sea, cold-water fish such as tuna or mackerel, which are wild fish with low levels of chemical contamination.
Extraction process: The fish oil must undergo a high-standard extraction and distillation process to maintain its quality, efficacy, and purity.

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

It plays a very important role in various systems in the body.

1. Strengthens bones and teeth.

Aids in calcium and phosphorus absorption: The body needs D3 to absorb calcium from food in the small intestine into the bloodstream.
Preventing osteoporosis: A deficiency in vitamin D3 prevents the body from absorbing calcium effectively, increasing the risk of osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children.

2. Stimulate and strengthen the immune system.

It helps stimulate the function of white blood cells (such as macrophages and T-cells), which are the first line of defense against pathogens, viruses, and bacteria.
Helps reduce the risk and incidence of respiratory infections.

3. Supports the function of muscles and the heart.

Muscles: Help in the contraction and relaxation of muscles, reduce weakness, and lower the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
Cardiovascular system: Plays a role in controlling blood pressure and maintaining the function of endothelial cells.

4. Helps balance emotions and the nervous system.

Vitamin D3 plays a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which help reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

5. Control blood sugar levels.

It helps stimulate the pancreas to fight inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity, which can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Curcumin, or turmeric, has many benefits. What are some of its uses?

Turmeric (Curcumin) is a traditional Thai herb deeply rooted in the Thai way of life for generations. Today, it has gained increasing attention for its applications in medicine, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. It is an effective herb for preventing and treating various diseases and symptoms, notably being the first herbal medicine registered with the Thai FDA as a pharmaceutical drug. Additionally, turmeric exhibits powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting the digestive system, relieving joint pain, bloating, and many other conditions.

The primary reason behind the growing interest in turmeric is its diverse health benefits, which have been extensively studied. Here are its key medicinal properties:

Antioxidant Properties

Antioxidant capacity is a major focus in research on natural herbal compounds. Curcumin demonstrates strong antioxidant activity. A comparative study between turmeric and other herbal plants—such as Curcuma zedoaria, Curcuma mangga, Curcuma aromatica, and wild white turmeric—found that turmeric exhibited the highest antioxidant activity at 74.61%, attributed to its rich content of curcumin and phenolic compounds.

Antioxidants help prevent and lower the risk of various conditions, including cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and immune system dysfunctions.

Relief for Indigestion and Stomach Ulcers

Research suggests that curcumin inhibits Helicobacter pylori bacteria and supports immune function. Studies comparing curcumin to non-antibiotic treatments revealed that curcumin significantly reduces indigestion and gastric acid secretion, making it an effective remedy for stomach discomfort and peptic ulcers.

Alleviation of Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Curcumin possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that directly benefit joint health. A comparative study evaluated curcumin against the standard medication Diclofenac regarding the inhibition of the Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme in the synovial fluid of osteoarthritis patients—an enzyme released during joint inflammation and pain. The results showed virtually no significant difference in COX-2 inhibition between curcumin and Diclofenac, proving that curcumin can relieve joint pain just as effectively as conventional medication.

Reduction of Skin Inflammation

Studies indicate that curcumin helps suppress systemic inflammation and relieves skin itching associated with specific conditions. Research demonstrates that patients taking turmeric experienced a greater reduction in itching compared to those relying solely on standard medications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support

The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin benefit patients suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical observations show that combining curcumin with Diclofenac leads to significant symptom improvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other joint conditions like osteoarthritis.

Turmeric is a versatile traditional herb offering extensive health benefits. Since turmeric extract is officially registered as a modern pharmaceutical drug, it serves as a viable alternative to conventional pain relievers for osteoarthritis—representing a natural, plant-based approach to modern medicine.

Turmeric, curcumin, a medicinal plant.

Helps with high blood pressure.

Turmeric is a medicinal plant with many health benefits. One of them is its ability to help with high blood pressure, a major silent threat to Thais and people worldwide. Many may wonder why this is the case.

What is blood pressure?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major problem affecting a large number of people worldwide. What's frightening is that it often doesn't show any obvious physical symptoms.

High blood pressure can be identified by blood pressure readings. A reading of the upper number (systolic pressure) above 130 millimeters of mercury and a lower number (diastolic pressure) of 90 millimeters of mercury or higher is considered high blood pressure.

However, having high blood pressure numbers doesn't necessarily mean you have the condition, because high blood pressure can be caused by many factors, such as:

I just finished a strenuous workout.
Lack of rest, staying up late, insufficient sleep.
High stress levels.
Drinking alcohol and smoking regularly.
Eat foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.
This problem stems from narrowed blood vessels, specifically coronary arteries.

Therefore, taking a break or making certain lifestyle changes may help bring blood pressure back to normal.

However, if you don't exhibit the aforementioned behaviors but consistently find that your blood pressure is high, or you experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or headaches, you may need to consult a doctor.

Curcumin helps control high cholesterol levels.

Turmeric, or curcumin, also has an important effect in helping to control high blood cholesterol levels. It can help reduce LDL (bad cholesterol), which is harmful to the body, and increase HDL (good cholesterol). Therefore, it can reduce the risk factors for heart disease.

Importantly, turmeric is also rich in curcumin, which can cleanse mucus, fat, and toxins from the liver and body, helping to reduce the risk of high blood pressure as well.

The difference between turmeric and turmeric extract.