Wellness Joy

Activate Turmeric for Maximum Absorption

We all know about the turmeric craze and how it increases the growth of new neurons and neutralize some of those free radicals zooming about the place, not to mention the anti-Alzheimers and arthritis benefits of this potent anti-inflammatory. But sprinkling it into your tea or milk, is not enough. You need to activate your turmeric.

How to activate your turmeric. Let’s find out, shall we?

Quick understanding on why activating turmeric is a must!

Essentially it all comes down to absorption. The active good guy inside turmeric, is a substance called curcumin. Curcumin, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-antioxidant.

Unfortunately, Curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. Most of the curcumin is absorbed directly into the lining of the liver and stomach wall, as opposed to the bloodstream, where we want it in order to reap the health benefits. For the proper absorption of its healing compound into the bloodstream it is advised to take this with black pepper and good fat.

How to increase absorption from turmeric or curcumin

1. Add Pepper

The liver makes certain substances water soluble so they can more easily pass through our systems. But when we add pepper, high in a compound called piperine, the absorption of the curcumin is slowed down, thanks to the drug inhibiting components of piperine. So eating turmeric with pepper increases the absorption.

2. Eat it with Good Fat

Turmeric is fat soluble – meaning it dissolves in fats. Without the fats binding it, the turmeric struggles to make it through the liver and stomach without being absorbed prematurely, and into the small intestines where it can be transferred through to the blood. So, by eating the turmeric with good fats, like almond oil, desi ghee or coconut oil (or in delicious curries), you’re more likely to absorb more of it into your bloodstream.

This is also why Ayurveda’s golden milk recipe is so popular. They all involve dissolving a turmeric paste with milk and desi ghee (which is where the fats come in) and usually include the required black pepper too.

3. Make a paste for golden lattes, smoothies and herbal infusion

You can pre-activate your turmeric for bed-time brews by mixing it with pepper and simmering on the stove for a while. The paste can be stored in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Here’s a recipe for making the turmeric paste the easy way. Or you could enjoy the golden milk, latte, smoothies with piperine rich benefits of turmeric with soothing and delicious golden milk powder available online.

If you’re craving a more in-depth look at the science behind turmeric activation, check out this post on healthy-holistic living on boosting the power of turmeric.

And regardless of how you’re choosing to activate your turmeric, always make sure you get high-quality organic turmeric to begin with.