Herbal nutraceuticals are plant-derived substances that provide health benefits. Many herbs have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can enhance health and reduce disease risk. This article explores some popular herbal nutraceuticals used globally and their potential health benefits.

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the most extensively researched nutraceuticals. It contains a substance called curcumin, which is the main bioactive compound responsible for turmeric's medicinal properties. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It has shown promise in helping manage conditions involving oxidative stress or chronic inflammation like heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders. Doses of 400-600mg of turmeric extract/curcumin per day have shown benefits. Some key potential health benefits of turmeric include:

- May help reduce heart disease risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Preliminary research associate curcumin intake with reduced inflammation in arteries.

- Shows anti-cancer activity. Curcumin helps eliminate cancer cells and prevents more from growing. Some research associates curcumin with inhibiting cancer cell growth and preventing cancer cell migration in various cancers like colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer.

- May help manage arthritis and joint pain. Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce arthritis symptoms like joint inflammation and pain. Several studies have found turmeric extract supplementation beneficial for reducing arthritis symptoms.

Ginger

Ginger is another popular food herb with medicinal properties. It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols which are the main active components. Ginger can benefit health in multiple ways:

- Help reduce nausea and vomiting. Ginger supplements may prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting due to its antiemetic properties. Studies have found ginger effective for treating pregnancy, chemotherapy, and postoperative induced nausea and vomiting.

- Relieve pain from inflammatory conditions. Ginger's anti-inflammatory compounds help reduce pain from osteoarthritis, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps. Studies found ginger extract improved pain and physical function in arthritis patients.

- Provide cardiovascular protection. Ginger may reduce heart disease risk factors by inhibiting platelet aggregation and lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation in the body. More research is still needed though.

- Help with diabetes management. Ginger intake appears to improve glucose metabolism and lower blood sugar response after meals in diabetic patients. It may enhance insulin sensitivity and help diabetes management.

Garlic

Garlic is another highly versatile and extensively researched herb. It contains antioxidants like vitamin C and compounds like allicin which give it health-promoting properties. Some ways garlic may support health include:

- May have anticancer activity. Allicin and other organosulfur compounds in garlic demonstrate inhibitory effects against various cancer types. Research found garlic is associated with reduced risk of stomach and colorectal cancers.

- Provide heart health benefits. Compounds like allicin help reduce LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation, and lower blood pressure, which reduces heart disease risk. Studies found consuming garlic extract or supplement reduced cholesterol levels.

- Help control blood sugar levels. Garlic supplements are shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and reduce surges after meals. It may help by increasing insulin secretion from beta cells of pancreas.

- Improve immunity. Garlic's antimicrobial activity and ability to stimulate immune cells help fight infections, prevent bacteria and fungi overgrowth. It also boosts resistance against allergy-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma patients.

- Provide antioxidant protection. Garlic is a rich source of antioxidant compounds like alliin, allicin that act as free radical scavengers. They protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce inflammation in the body.

Green tea
Brewed from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant, green tea has beneficial polyphenolic compounds called catechins. Major catechin present is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which makes up around 50-80% of the total catechins. Key benefits of green tea Herbal Nutraceuticals include:

- May help with weight management. EGCG boosts fat oxidation and fat breakdown. An 11-study review found green tea supplementation led to small but significant weight and waist circumference reductions.

- Heart health benefits. EGCG lowers LDL oxidation, inhibits atherosclerosis, and reduces risk of heart disease and stroke. Research associated daily green tea intake with reduced risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

- Lower cancer risk. Studies link green tea consumption to reduced risks of breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers. Catechins inhibit tumor formation and cancer cell growth through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

- Brain health support. Catechins may protect neurons from damage and reduce risks of cognitive decline and neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Get More Information on This Topic: https://www.newsanalyticspro.com/the-world-of-herbal-nutraceuticals-for-optimal-wellness/