We had an interesting question from Jenny last week. Jenny asked “If I take turmeric and black pepper capsules, can I take hemp oil at the same time? So today we're going to explain to you what turmeric is, why you would use it, and how to take it!

What is turmeric and what is used for?

Turmeric is a spice that has been used for centuries that is known for its medicinal properties. The active compound in turmeric is called curcumin that can assist in the management of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, cardiovascular conditions, and anxiety just to name a few. These benefits are due to curcumins anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. 

How do I use turmeric?

You can easily add turmeric to your favourite curries or heat it up with your favourite choice of milk (aka golden lattes). 1 teaspoon should be enough to reap the benefits of anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric. It’s important that you include black pepper (piperin) when using turmeric, as studies report that it can increase turmeric's bioavailability (how well it is absorbed in the body) by 2000%!

What’s the difference between turmeric and hemp seed oil if they’re both anti-inflammatory?

This is where inflammation can get tricky (because it is!). So both turmeric and hemp seed oil are anti-inflammatory, however they work in different pathways in the body. Turmeric has been shown to reduce specific inflammatory chemicals (called cytokines), while hemp seed oil reduces inflammation through fatty acids (called eicosanoids) that can promote anti-inflammation.

What do we suggest?

Both turmeric and hemp seed oil are safe to consume and are natural products that can reduce inflammation. If you suffer from conditions characterised by inflammation taking both turmeric and hemp oil may help to further reduce symptoms of inflammation that are simple additions to the diet!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3918523/ 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/#B10-foods-06-00092