THE "OMNIPOTENT" TURMERIC-A FOOD CUM MEDICINE!

The report that there are 19 clinical trials approved by the National Institute of Health, Bethesda involving Turmeric and its active constituent, the yellow colored Curcumin must wake up even the most somnabolic observer to the importance and utility of this wonder herb to mankind. There are thousands of scientific studies which have brought out the role of Turmeric or Curcumin in treating a host of diseases though clinical trials with human subjects are far and few. Both ancient India and China had recognized the importance of Turmeric thousands of years ago and if it has been a strong part of Ayurvedic medicinal system there can be no doubt about its potential to become world's top most wonder material that can prevent and treat almost all diseases that confront man to day.

Recent report that Turmeric is effective in treating one of the most dreaded liver disorders viz Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which can lead to liver failure, has put the spot light on this ordinary condiment that finds extensive application in most of the culinary preparations in India. But looking back there have been many similar studies in many countries in Europe, Australia, the US, India and others indicating the effectiveness of Turmeric both as a therapeutic material for treatment as well as a well being product to preempt the on-set of many health disorders. If liver is considered, it can be seriously affected by alcohol abuse or other damaging causes. A Curcumin rich diet's ability to prevent fatty livers or any conditions associated with alcohol abuse is due to blocking of activation of a molecule, Nuclear Factor kappa (NFkB) responsible for inflammation and tissue death. Drinking heavily causes the bacterial endotoxins produced in the GI tract to enter the blood stream and though the Liver detoxifies them to the maximum extent within its capacity, too much of these toxins can make the liver fail eventually.

Liver diseases can be either Steatosis or fatty liver involving build up of fat on liver cells or Hepatitis leading to liver dysfunction and jaundice or Cirrhosis causing build up of nodules on the liver that can be fatal eventually. The finding by Helsinki University Scientists shows that Curcumin rich diet can prevent Cirrhosis at least in animal experiments where as the group at Saint Louis University highlighted the role of Turmeric/Curcumin in counter acting NASH which is not alcohol related. Probably those addicted to alcohol and imbibing high levels of alcohol daily can expect possible protection of their liver by regularly consuming the capsules and tablets available in the market or diets rich in Turmeric. There are many such preparations containing Curcumin as high as 500 mg per dose. Further clarity may emerge in the coming years as the results of clinical studies start coming out in due course.

According to Indian traditional medicine system, Turmeric is endowed with many virtues and it is considered as analgesic, antibacterial, antitumor, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, cardiovascular protectant, carminative, digestive aid, diuretic, stimulant and vulnerary. It targets skin, heart, liver and lungs for conferring its beneficial effect. Combined with Cauliflower it is reported to prevent and /or arrest prostate cancer. Other attributes of Turmeric include reducing risk of childhood luekamia, slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease, preventing occurrence of metastasis in different forms of cancer, relief from arthritis, healing of psoriasis and other skin diseases and slowing down multiple sclerosis. No wonder in Medieval Europe it was more commonly known as Indian Saffron though it costs not even 0.5% of the cost of the latter, considered a luxury item unaffordable to most people. Per capita consumption of Turmeric in India is about 1.5 gm a day, highest in the whole world and the low rate of cancer, especially colorectal and bowel related, in India has been attributed to this dietary practice.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

KERALA-SPIRITS' OWN COUNTRY!

Kerala is known to many as "God's Own Country", a slogan coined by an enterprising bureaucrat from Delhi when he was in charge of the tourism portfolio and it really clicked internationally bringing tourists in hordes from all corners of the world. The state, one of the smaller ones in the country is endowed with nature's beauty in no small measures with the whole state appearing like a continuous green urban stretch from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod with high range hills on the east and the Arabian sea on the west. The population of 32 million is known to be industrious with high productivity and enterprise. It was the top literate state in the country till last year, only to be overtaken by Mizoram recently, with a literacy rate of 90.92% compared to the average Indian figure of 61.3%. The enormous inflow of Gulf money, with about 23 members out of 100 families working abroad, the per capita income is one of the highest in the country ( Rs 11819). Almost 25% of the net domestic product of the state is derived from foreign remittances from the emigrants. The state stands first in Human Development Index and Standard of Living in the Indian sub continent. It is inconceivable that such population here can get bogged down in a state of inebriation due to explosive increase in alcohol consumption.

India is unique in having a plethora of products containing alcohol levels from 6% to 45% and some of them include wine, beer, toddy, arrack, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), rum, gin etc. One or two servings of any of these drinks regularly in the evenings can be relaxing and even doctors recommend such a practice considered good after a day's hard work but obsession with alcoholic drinks can lead to addiction and convert people into habitual drunkards. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to liver cirrhosis and consequent fatality. In Kerala with active involvement of the government, liquor consumption has been taken to a new height with over 350 liquor vending outlets of the state owned Beverages Corporation and Consumer Federation competing with each other and with the private bars and toddy shops to hook every one into alcohol consumers to enrich their kitty. Kerala probably may be the only place in the world having an association for boozers under the name, Liquor Consumers Welfare Association to encourage alcohol drinking! The places most crowded in Kerala are not places of worship but the liquor vending outlets where traffic blockade occurs regularly on occasions like new year eve.

The per capita annual consumption of alcohol is highest in Kerala, being 8.3 liters. Assuming that 50% of the male population are teetotalers, the average daily intake of alcohol by a person per day works out to a little less than 100 ml, an astonishing level, considering that the climate here is not conducive to drinking like Russia or Nordic countries ( about 15 liters per person per year). What is appalling is that the consumption goes up during festivals and other occasions and it was reported that during the last two days of 2008 the liquor sale was more than Rs 950 million. One estimate claims that while Kerala spends Rs 75 billion on liquor, the expenditure on the staple food rice was less than Rs 30 billion! The annual revenue to Government from liquor sales through various taxes was Rs 18 billion in 2007 and it is not logical to expect the authorities, who ever rule Kerala to forgo such a huge sum in revenue. Therefore the game will continue with least thoughts for the fate of future generations because of this skewed policy.

Alcoholism has been blamed for increased domestic violence, rise in suicide rates, rapidly escalating fatal traffic crashes ( 72%), loss of productivity due to illness, more premature deaths and rising crime incidence. Is there no escape for this state from its continuing plunge into a world of chaos and misery caused by the increased addiction to alcohol brought about by a senseless government, cash rich spirits industry and a gullible population not taking cognizance of the damages alcohol can cause in the long run? It is not Kerala's problem alone as this trend is evident in many other states also requiring Nation's immediate attention.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/