Turmeric is a rhizome which is closely related to ginger and has traditionally been used for around 4,000 years in cooking, ceremonies and highly valued for its medicinal qualities.
Over the past few years it has become popular with people and their pets as a natural way to help alleviate aches and pains as it has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
It is important to choose your turmeric product wisely and there are a few things to check before purchase to ensure you are getting a quality source of turmeric and that it has a number of other ingredients included to aid better absorption and increase effectiveness.
Turmeric is naturally rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium & potassium. Vitamins C, E,K,B6,B12 and folate. Minerals include iron, phosphorus, zinc, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and beta- carotene.
Turmeric also contains a number of bio-active compounds called Curcuminoids. The most studied and well known of these is called Curcumin. It is important to have a certain level of curcumin present to ensure the best results. Turmeric powder sold in supermarkets for culinary use will usually have the curcumin removed, which is then used in capsules, so just the flavour and colour of the powder remains.
A good turmeric product will state the curcumin level and also give a list of other ingredients which compliment and increase absorption of the curcuminoids. The level of curcumin to look for is between 3-5 %. Other ingredients are an oil, usually coconut or flax seed oil and black pepper. Black pepper contains a substance called Piperine which in recent studies, shows an increase in the uptake of curcumin by 2,000%
There have been thousands of studies and clinical trails carried out on turmeric, curcumin and a variety of other compounds found in this rhizome. Some of these studies can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Important advice if taking medication:
Any dietary turmeric should be used with caution if you or your dog is on medication as both curcumin and piperine can affect the absorption of medication. Turmeric can also influence blood clotting so remove from the diet two weeks prior to an imminent surgical procedure and for one week after surgery. Turmeric capsules intended for human use can consist of pure curcumin which is too strong for dogs and more likely to interact with medication, unlike the milder paste. If you want to give your dog capsules then ensure they are made for animal use.
Turmeric is a warming spice so it may be unsuitable for all year round use in certain dogs. Try and take a break or reduce the dose at some point in the year. A good time for a short break could be in the warmest of the Summer months when mobility is often eased due to an increase in temperature.
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