Give me my painkiller - The golden treasure

Are you one of these women suffering badly with pain, be it menstrual, headaches, Rheumatoid Arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis etc.?

Are you worried about the intake of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication with their unhealthy side effects?

Well, you might want to try this ancient drink full of goodies for your hormones, the golden milk.

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is an Indian drink that has been gaining popularity in Western cultures. This bright yellow beverage is traditionally made by warming up plant-based milk with turmeric and other spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon or ginger.

Turmeric

The main ingredient of this drink is turmeric that contains Curcumin which is the active component. Curcumin is a chemical compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that helps to protect cells from damage, fights off disease and infections and contributes to your overall health. Curcumin has low bioavailability (it means that it's not easily absorbed by the body) but that can be resolved with another chemical compound found in black pepper called the piperine that helps in the absorption of curcumin. This active compound is also found in chilli powder and cayenne pepper. Together with piperine, you need to apply heat and mix it with oil to activate this bioavailability process. Studies show that curcumin may increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a compound that helps your brain form new connections and promotes the growth of brain cells.

Curcumin is wonderful for female hormonal health.

IT BENEFITS YOU DURING YOUR PERIOD:

Turmeric is known to decrease the intensity of pain and inflammation of your body (back pain, headaches, muscle aches, etc.) experienced during periods and its antispasmodic action can help with menstrual cramps.

HELPS WITH DELAYED PUBERTY AND HELPS TO NORMALIZED MENSTRUATION:

Delayed puberty in girls occurs when breasts don't develop by age 13 or menstrual periods do not begin by age 16, says MedlinePlus. So far, the treatment is the use of female hormones. One study suggests curcumin supplementation can enhance the initiation of puberty. The effect could be similar to that of estradiol.

Turmeric has the property of being an emmenagogue. Emmenagogues are herbs that stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus, also some of them stimulate menstruation. Turmeric purifies and moves stagnant blood which normalizes menstruation.

REGULATES YOUR ESTROGENS:

Curcumin acts as a weak phytoestrogen, estrogen obtained from a plant source that regulates high estrogen levels that increases your risk of breast and endometrial cancers.

HELPS WITH PCOS:

PCOS is a common disorder of hormone imbalance. It causes an increase in the blood levels of a male hormone, androgen. As a result, women experience typical symptoms including:

• Infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles.

• Polycystic ovaries. Your ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.

• Excessive hair growth on the body and face, a condition called hirsutism.

• Acne, that is often severe and does not get better with conventional treatments.

According to a 2016 study involving rats, curcumin has comparable effectiveness in treating PCOS to clomiphene citrate. The researchers pointed the following mechanisms behind such effects:

• A significant reduction in the blood levels of testosterone, which is an androgen. Moreover, it boosts the levels of a female hormone called estradiol.

• It cuts down the blood levels of glucose and bad cholesterol.

HELPS TO MANAGE THYROID PROBLEMS:

Overproduction and underproduction of thyroid hormones are the major thyroid problems commonly seen in women. Nonetheless, men are also not immune to these conditions. In one study comprising both men and women, it was found that the individuals with higher consumption of turmeric were less likely to develop a goitre, enlarged thyroid gland.

CAN PREVENT ENDOMETRIOSIS:

Endometriosis is a disease in which endometrium cells lining the uterus, grows outside the uterine cavity. This disease affects around 15% of women of reproductive age and leads to infertility. Curcumin is reported to inhibit the growth of endometrial cells by modulating the secretion of estrogen. Curcumin's potent antioxidant activity is also exploited to serve as an aid against oxidative stress-mediated infertility in the endometrium.

CAN PREVENT UTERINE FIBROIDS:

Fibroids are noncancerous tumours that grow in the wall of the uterus. 1 out of 5 women is affected by fibroids during their reproductive age. 20-80% of women develop fibroids by the age of 50. Surgical procedures and hormone therapy are common lines of treatment.

Curcumin is found to inhibit the growth of cells that make up uterine fibroids and prevents proliferation.

CANCER PREVENTION:

Medical science is slowly accepting the benefits of turmeric against various types of cancer. Turmeric has been proven effective against tumours and cancers in many scientific studies conducted in labs.

Research proves that curcuminoids can prevent the growth of breast cancer cells and also prevent the spread of breast cancer in bones by inhibiting the breast cancer cells from secreting factors that are necessary for the progression of cancer to other organs. Interestingly India has the lowest incidence of breast cancer in the world and it also has the highest consumption as well as the production of dietary turmeric worldwide.

Turmeric is also proven to inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells; ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death when it comes to gynaecological cancer.

Curcumin is reported to cause cell death of cervical cancer cells by acting against estradiol, a primary female sex hormone which under adverse conditions helps in the progression of cervical cancer (cancer in the lower part of the uterus).

HELPS TO MANAGE DIABETES:

Though not exclusive to women, diabetes is a major health global health issue currently. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases considerably if you are obese. Both these conditions are thought to occur due to inflammations at the cellular level. Oral consumption of curcumin has been found to improve glucose levels as well as reduce the inflammatory processes inside the body. It can also reverse hormone imbalance and inflammatory damages to the cells. The researchers also believe curcumin can reduce the risk of diabetes complications like nerve damages, heart and kidney problems, and impaired fat distribution.

Dosage

Turmeric can be consumed daily in the diet through delicious recipes of rice, soups, different types of drinks and supplements in the form of capsules or tinctures.

The prescribed dose is as follows:

- Standardized powder: 400-600mg 3 times a day

- Fluid extract with 1:1 concentration: 30-90 drops per day

- Tincture of 1:2 ratio: 15-30 drops 4 times a day

Precautions !!!

Undoubtedly turmeric consumption has numerous health benefits but it is necessary to take a health practitioner's advice before consuming turmeric supplements. In case of ingestion of inappropriate dose or allergic reaction, it can pose adverse effects. Few conditions in which it is advisable to consume turmeric with care are:

• Pregnancy & Lactation

• Diabetes if already consuming blood-thinning drugs

• Before surgical procedures

• Gallstones or bile passage obstruction

• Gastrointestinal diseases

• Consuming medications for acidity or blood-thinning agents

Cinnamon

Another important ingredient of "Golden Milk" is cinnamon that has also an anti-inflammatory effect and it appears to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, improves brain function and also helps lower total cholesterol, triglyceride and "bad" LDL levels while raising "good" HDL levels.

Cinnamon may reduce insulin resistance.

1–6 grams of cinnamon per day may lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29%. Insulin-resistant cells are less able to take up sugar from your blood, so lowering insulin resistance generally lowers blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon seems to reduce how much glucose is absorbed in your gut after a meal, which can further improve blood sugar control.

Coconut oil

Your hormones love fat, especially healthy fat. Fat is the primary material for the production of hormones. Coconut oil has been badly demonized by the pharmaceutical industry but new studies are showing lots of benefits of this oil:

BOOSTS INSULIN LEVEL AND PROMOTES PANCREAS FUNCTION:

This is due to its ability to boost metabolism which leads the stimulating pancreas in promoting insulin. Coconut oil can help to treat type 2 diabetes, as the insulin level in the body increased. All you need to do is take coconut oil daily.

BALANCES BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL:

Based on studies, coconut oil can help to balance the blood sugar level in the body. It has shown that people who suffer from diabetes can regulate the level of blood sugar after consuming coconut oil. In this case, you can take 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to help you balance blood sugar within 30 minutes. Then, as you consume this herbal oil regularly and you adjust your diet (reducing sugar intake and inflammatory food), it may help you to cure type 2 diabetes.

LOWERS GLYCEMIC INDEX:

Coconut has a low glycemic index (GI) of 35 and this will lead to the lowering GI for other foods. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2003 shows that people eating food that contains coconut flour content have no spike in blood glucose levels.

HELPS TO LOSE WEIGHT:

Surprisingly, coconut oil can give you the benefit of managing body weight. It turns out that coconut oil helps metabolism and in that way it helps you to burn more fat and you lose weight. It is also based on a 2009 animal study that shown coconut oil has medium-chain fatty acids to prevent obesity and insulin resistance.

BOOSTS ENERGY:

As described before, coconut oil in the body can help to boost metabolism. Consequently, it helps you to boost the body energy as well. If you want to have more energy to do daily activities, then adding coconut oil to your meal is a good idea. What is even greater from coconut oil is the way it supplies energy without raising insulin level as the intake of carbohydrate. Amazing, isn't it?

HAS ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES

Cocoa powder

Cocoa powder has lots of nutritional and health benefits. It may have the potential to be used for the prevention/treatment of allergies, cancers, oxidative injuries, inflammatory conditions, anxiety, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance.

COCOA IS RICH IN POLYPHENOLS:

Polyphenols are naturally occurring antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, better blood flow, and lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

MAY REDUCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE:

The flavones in cocoa are thought to improve nitric oxide levels in the blood, which can enhance the function of your blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.

MAY IMPROVE MOOD AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

The positive effects on mood may be due to cocoa’s flavones, the conversion of tryptophan to the natural mood stabilizer serotonin, its caffeine content or simply the sensory pleasure of eating chocolate.

HAVE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON THE PRODUCTION OF SEVERAL HORMONES:

Cocoa and cacao contain high concentrations of zinc, which has been shown to increase testosterone production.

We all know that nice, relaxed feeling that occurs when we eat a delicious, rich piece of dark chocolate. It turns out that there is a physiological reason for this! Cocoa can potently inhibit the release of the stress hormone cortisol and epinephrine from the adrenal gland.

CONTAINS IMPORTANT MINERALS:

Cocoa powder contains iron, zinc, and selenium. These minerals help your body function and give your immune system a boost. It also contains magnesium that is very important for your muscle and nerve function and hormonal balance.

THE SUMMARY OF GOLDEN MILK BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH:

• Helps reduce inflammation and joint pain.

• Helps improve memory and brain function.

• Helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson and heart disease.

• May boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

• Helps reduce your bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

• May lower blood sugar levels, helps to manage diabetes.

• May reduce your risk of cancer and helps reduce the growth of cancer cells.

• Has Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal properties.

• Boosts your immune system.

• Can help maintain proper digestion and prevent flare-ups in individuals with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory digestive disorder resulting in ulcers in the gut.

• Helps you to lose weight.

• Gives you energy.