/oss/taxonomy/term/2231/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/rooting-out-curcumin-problems <p>Divide some laboratory rabbits into three groups. Feed one group normal rabbit chow, the second group a high cholesterol diet, and the third group a high cholesterol diet supplemented with 0.2% curcumin. After eight weeks take blood samples, sacrifice the bunnies, and examine their aortas for atherosclerotic deposits. That’s a typical animal experiment to test the potential of curcumin, the compound responsible for the yellow colour of turmeric, as being possibly beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease.</p> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9687 at /oss /oss/article/nutrition-general-science/intravenous-turmeric <p>Turmeric is generally used as a spice but it has garnered a reputation as a virtually magical substance when used as a dietary supplement. It is said to treat arthritis, heartburn, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, intestinal gas, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchitis, Alzheimer’s disease, gum disease, high cholesterol and of course cancer. In general, the more claims made on behalf of a substance, the less likely that any are reliable.</p> Fri, 24 Mar 2017 14:37:17 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2370 at /oss