Turmeric is one of the best spices you can take to improve health and fight disease.

Turmeric has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries, while in the west it is more commonly known as a simple spice.

Turmeric is so potent that it can help fight diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

The active ingredient in turmeric which gives it its powerful health credentials is circumin, which contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Turmeric for fighting disease

Turmeric has been linked with low levels of alzheimers in the villages in India where it is most frequently eaten.

This could be attributed to the fact that is aids blood flow, and we know alzheimers is caused by the constriction of blood vessels in the brain reducing their ability to function properly.

It is also known to beneficial for sufferers of arthritis. The high anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric helps the painful inflammation of arthritic joints.

Turmeric for arthritis can be applied topically on the painful area, or can be taken in capsule form. The Arthritis Foundation backs turmeric as an alternative therapy for arthritis.

Turmeric for treating cancer is being explored, it is thought that circumin is able to kill cancer cells in the body, while leaving normal cells in tact, something which current treatments like chemotherapy is not able to do.

Studies are ongoing at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine on the effects of turmeric on cancer.