Taste of Nature:

TURMERIC
BY: MADDIE, BRIDGET, KAREN, & ERIN
 What is Turmeric? 
Derived from plant primarily grown in Southeast Asia, whose roots
are crushed to create fine powder 
Main components: curcumin, emethoxycurcumin, and
bisdemethoxycurcumin, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, fiber, niacin,
beta-carotene, and other nutrients. 
Medically used for over 4,500 years
 Congestion
 Heal wounds & bruises
 Skin conditions
 Spice & religious signification

Around 1 billion people worldwide take (or have taken turmeric

supplement
 27533649 & 27533649
 What is Curcumin? (kur·kyuh·muhn)
Chemical formula: C21H20O6
The principal curcuminoid
Major curcuminoid present in turmeric
 Bright yellow pigments found in turmeric & represent
a family of lipophilic diketones
Rhizomes of curcumin are important
 Used for culinary & other pharmacological purposes
 28074653
 Bioavailability of Curcumin
How it applies to turmeric:
 Low Bioavailability: curcuminoids are lipophilic
 Fat-soluble?: Yes, in fact eating curcumin with a fatty meal
enhances absorption.

Recent modifications to increase bioavailability:

 Phospholipid groups: phosphatidylcholine 
 Enhances transfer of nutrients from lumen into the lipid-
soluble environment of the enterocytes through transport
protein (PMID: 24409053)
Question: How can we increase the
bioavailability of curcumin? 
A. Curcumin already has a high bioavailability, so there is no need to increase it. 
B. It is recommended to take curcumin with something high in fat. 
C. Since it is lipophobic, it is recommended to take curcumin with lipids/fats.  
D. Pair it with a phosphatidylcholine group to decrease absorption.  
 30635796
24389321

The Physiology of Digestion

 Curcumin supports digestion

 Intestines: relaxes the smooth muscles on the walls, gently pushing food

through the intestines
 Prevents gas and bloating 

 Colon: Presence of leaky gut

§ Helps restore the balance between gut flora and immune response 
§ Stimulates the glands on the surface to grow and mend

 The Stomach 
 Boosts the secretion of stomach mucous 
 Good, protects gut & helps digestion

The Liver
 Helps increase cholesterol elimination 
 Boosts the production of bile
 Lowers levels of LDL, aka low-density lipoproteins or "bad" cholesterol (PMID: 
24348712, 32824993,29966389)
Impact of Curcumin on
Digestive Illness
IRRITABLE BOWEL DISEASE T2 DIABETES MELLITUS

This disease involves overstimulation of the §Decreases insulin resistance (PMID: 6723242

intestinal mucosal immune system and high )
levels of inflammation (PMID: 31003422) § Curcumin= proteasome inhibitor
Curcumin helps control activation of § Decreases inflammation in adipose
macrophages which helps regulate tissue and liver by interrupting
inflammation  proteasome activity
◦ Improves the peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis (MDPI
Curcumin improves the function of the
Journal of Pharmaceuticals)
beta cells that make insulin in the
pancreas (PMID: 22773702)
 Restores b-cell function through the removal of
inflammation in the cells
 Inhibition of certain gene expression enhances b-
cell function 
 How Turmeric affects
the Circulatory System
Turmeric helps to widen blood vessel
 Allows blood flow & circulation to increase naturally

Increase nitic oxide production

 Meaning it reduces inflammation in vein & blood vessels

Aids the reduction of plaque buildup inside the arteries & blood clots

Reduces heart related inflammations

Lowers levels of LDL, aka low-density lipoproteins or "bad" cholesterol

Absorbed in the large intestine and transported to the lining of the

liver & stomach wall
 Poorly absorbed in the blood

 PMID: 24348712
The Integumentary System and Curcumin 
 What characteristics in turmeric cause it to  Although turmeric has a low bioavailability, it
be beneficial to our Integumentary system?  has a good accessibility and bioavailability
• Curcumin, the main curcuminoid present in when applied topically. 
turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory,  Topical formations of curcumin include: 
antimicrobial, and anti-oxidative properties • Films
which provide glow to the skin  • Fibers
• Wound healing properties  • Emulsions
 Bioavailability of curcumin for the skin?  • Hydrogels
• Low aqueous solubility, poor tissue • Nanoformations
absorption
 How does it work? 
• Protects the skin by removing free radicals
and reduces inflammation through the
restriction of nuclear factor-kappa B
(inflammatory protein).  
PMID: 28711364
Curcumin: “A Wound Healing Agent" 

PMID: 2520087

Acts as an anti-oxidant since free

radicals are considered the major
cause of inflammation during the
wound healing stages. 

PMID: 28711364
The Muscular System &
Curcumin
Reduces the perception of the intensity
of muscle pain due to curcumin's anti-
inflammatory, antiseptic effect. 
Muscle damage is reduced through
the decrease of Creatine Kinase. Curcumin had
a protective effect on muscle damage through
the stabilization of the cell membrane. 
CK is an enzyme found in muscles. An increased
amount of CK are released when muscles are
damaged. 

Curcumin is not well observed as mention

therefore, high doses appear tolerable without
significant side-effects. 
PMID: 33174301
 BEFORE
curcumin
AFTER
curcumin
How does turmeric
impact our
skeletal system?
Osteoclasts Treatment with curcumin significantly
associated with a decrease in osteoporosis
progression PMID: 26962450 
Definition of osteoporosis (PMID: 29567290)
 Coordination between two breaks down, and the
osteoclasts begin to absorb more bone than the
osteoblasts can create

 Curcumin inhibits osteoclastic bone

Osteoblasts resorption (PMID: 15128775)
 Suppresses osteoclastogenesis, which decreases
absorption of bone by osteoclasts
 Results in decrease in osteoporosis
progression
= decrease in osteoporosis progression
 Advantages/Disadvantages 
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Relieves joint, back, & knee pain Gastrointestinal problems

Reduces inflammation & dry skin Gallbladder contractions

Boosts brain function & memory Diarrhea & nausea

Improves digestion & blood circulation Increase risk of kidney stones

Promotes cardiovascular health May cause iron deficiency

Enhance immune support & nervous system Lower blood pressure

Digestive health

Cholesterol regulators
 Can Turmeric be bad for us?
In large amounts...

 Thins blood
 Especially when paired with blood clotting drug
 Kidney stone formation
 increased levels of urinary oxalate 
Wellness Shot Recipe Idea!
Serving size: 2 shots

1 small orange SERVING 1 Shot

2 small lemons Calories 113 kcals

1/4 cup chopped fresh turmeric Carbs 27.7 g

1/4 cup chopped fresh ginger Protein 2.8 g

1/4 tsp coconut milk Sugar 9g

 (optional to help improve turmeric
absorption)

1) Add orange, lemon, turmeric, & ginger to a juicer
2) Add turmeric & ginger to a high-speed blender, then add juice of
the orange and lemon. Blend on high for 30 seconds
3) Add a little water if trouble blending, but you shouldn’t need any.
Strain through a mesh strainer & be aware turmeric can stain
4) Divide between 2 serving glasses, drink immediately & top with
black pepper or a little fat to improve turmeric absorption like
coconut milk
Turmeric: antioxidant & anti-inflammatory
effects
Ginger: aid digestion & nausea effects
Lemon: detoxifying, alkalizing, healthy bowel
movements, & boosts immune system
Coconut milk: helps boost absorption of
turmeric by 2,000%

https://minimalistbaker.com/lemon-ginger-turmeric-wellness-shots/
 Takeaways from Future RD's:
As future dietitians....
 Turmeric/curcumin has many benefits if
taken with a fat
 Too much of turmeric can act as a blood
thinner 
Turmeric in the 5 systems: 
Digestive System = promotes digestion
 Circulatory System = improves blood
circulation
 Integumentary System = heals/restores
wounds on the skin 
 Muscular System = reduce inflammation and
aid in muscle recovery
 Skeletal System = slows progression of bone
absorption/weakening of bone due to
osteoporosis
 What is
Votrient:
Pazopanib ?
 Cancer medicine that
interferes with the growth
and spread of cancer cells in
the body
 Used to treat advanced
kidney cancer (RCC) 
 Used to treat soft tissue
sarcoma 
 Usually given to after other
cancer medications have
been tried without successful
treatment of soft tissue
sarcoma. 
 PMID: 23204874
 Vascular Endothelial Growth
Factor (VEGF) 
 VEGF is protein that promotes the growth of new
blood vessels. 
 VEGF is considered a regulator of
angiogenesis during growth and development, as
well as in diseases such as cancer and diabetes. 
 Angiogenesis is essential for cancer (tumor)
development and growth, the tumors require blood
vessels for nutrients and oxygen. 
PMID: 24198612

Angio: vessel  Genesis: development or production 

Pazopanib paz-OH-pa-nib  (Phonetic spelling) 

 Pazopanib is an effective VEGF inhibitor 

q A VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase
inhibitor 
q Tumors require blood vessels for
nutrients and oxygen.
q The drugs stops the cancer cells
from developing new blood vessels. 
q Blocks the proteins (kinases) from
sending signals to cancer cells to which
would allow the tumor to grow.  

 PMID: 24198612,16301830 
QUESTION: What protein does Pazopanib block
from sending signals to cancer cells?
A. Actin
B. Keratin
C. Kinases
D. Tubulin
Absorption of Drug in the Body
Convection in the bloodstream transports the drug
through the systematic veins, the lungs, and the
systemic arteries to peripheral micro vessels. 
All areas of the circulatory system are exposed to
the drug because  solutes in the blood mix quickly 
A combination of diffusion and convection
in interstitial fluid transports the drug to cancel
cells across micro vessel walls. 
It is soluble at a pH 1 and nearly insoluble at a
pH above 4. Stomach acid and stomach contents
have a significant effect on absorption of pazopanib.
PMID: 28678138, 29123246
Pazopanib: Major Side Effects 
Diarrhea 

Hypertension

Hair color changes 

VRT-1235489