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Benefits of Turmeric Extract for Weight Loss
There is a strong connection between increased body fat and overall inflammation. In fact, some doctors suggest that fat cells are basically like inflammation cells because they promote increased chronic inflammation in the body.
We know that people who are overweight or obese have excessive storage of adipose tissue, or fat cells and often suffer from insulin resistance leading to high blood sugar and metabolic dysfunction. The World Health Organization classifies overweight as a body mass index, or BMI, between 25-30 and obesity as a BMI of greater than 30.
Over time, excessive stored micronutrients in those fat cells cause the body to release certain inflammatory mediators3, mainly tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) as well as a protein hormone — adiponectin — that causes oxidative stress and inflammation.
The increase in IL-6 also activates the synthesis and secretion of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the liver, which is a common marker for systemic inflammation and an increased risk in cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, autoimmune skin conditions such as psoriasis, metabolic syndrome, and cancer.
How Turmeric Supports Weight Loss
We have two different kinds of fat tissue: brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is responsible for the thermogenic (or metabolic) activity of that tissue via the mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP1, and white adipose tissue (WAT), which is responsible for fat storage from excess calorie consumption. Brown adipose tissue converts energy from food sources into heat and this also tends to speed up metabolism and fat burning.
In obese individuals, there is an absence of brown adipose tissue and excess in white adipose tissue, which exhibits a low density of insulin receptors and higher beta-3 adrenergic receptors, ultimately leading to a pro-inflammatory response that is chronic and destructive to our cells.
One study conducted on mice showed 5 that turmeric (curcumin) promotes the browning of white adipose tissue, creating beige adipocytes that can burn lipids (or fat) to produce heat. Rising body temps are also correlated with an increase in metabolism, also known as thermogenics, which can ultimately aid in weight loss over time.
The study found that just 50 or 100 mg/kg/day of curcumin decreased body weight and fat mass without affecting food intake in mice. The study also showed that curcumin promotes β3AR gene expression in inguinal WAT and elevates the levels of plasma norepinephrine, a stress hormone and neurotransmitter that can induce WAT browning.
A second randomized controlled study6 of 44 subjects showed that bioavailable curcumin had a positive influence on weight loss and body fat reduction in just 30 days. Subjects who took a supplemental bioavailable form of curcumin for 30 days experienced increased weight loss from 1.88 to 4.91%, enhanced percentage reduction of body fat from 0.70 to 8.43%, and enhanced reduction of BMI from 2.10 to 6.43%.
Additionally, there is reason to believe turmeric extracts that contain a high concentration of curcumin can increase serum activities of antioxidants 7 such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) that reduce oxidative stress, and therefore systemic inflammation in the body. Curcumin works its magic in a few different ways. First, it can scavenge different forms of free radicals, like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and it also can modulate the activity of certain enzymes, including SOD, catalase, and GSH to neutralize free radicals.
The Link Between Turmeric Extract, Gut Health, and Weight Loss
Another benefit of curcumin for weight loss is its positive effect on digestive health. Unfortunately, most of us struggle with digestive issues like leaky gut (or intestinal permeability), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), irritable bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, as well as general digestive distress like acid reflux, bloating and indigestion.
When digestion is impaired, we do not properly absorb the necessary vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to not just survive but thrive. This can also prohibit us from reaching our weight loss goals. There’s also evidence that shows that digestive issues such as SIBO and leaky gut can cause chronic inflammation, food intolerances/sensitivities, and neurological disorders.
Studies show that curcumin can soothe digestive issues, help aid in nutrient absorption and even reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders like IBD, Crohn’s disease, and UC. These disorders, particularly IBD, result from an inappropriate inflammatory response to intestinal microbes in a genetically susceptible individual. The body recognizes those otherwise normal microbes as foreign substances, which activate our adaptive immune system with the release of innate immune cells and cytokines. This process will continually repeat itself, which as we now know, will lead to chronic systemic inflammation in the gut, as well as ongoing gastrointestinal distress. There is a specific protein present in people with IBD — NF-κB — which might be another cause for the excess secretion of cytokines, particularly IL-6.
Curcumin plays a key role in the inhibition of both the activation of NF-κB pro-inflammatory cytokines and the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway8, which could have a therapeutic effect on controlling inflammation associated with IBD and other digestive disorders.
Additionally, the piperine present in high-quality turmeric extracts helps promote proper digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes 9 in the pancreas. The role of digestive enzymes in the body is to help break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for proper absorption and usage throughout the body.
You can learn more about the benefits of turmeric extract for Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcerative colitis (UC) by reading this article:
How much turmeric extract should you take per day?
The general recommendation for Turmeric Extract consumption is between 500-2000 mg per day. But if you are looking to gain the most out of curcumin’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive, and weight loss promoting benefits, you’ll want to supplement with a high-potency turmeric extract supplement like Active Atoms. Why?
Turmeric Extract contains the highest concentration of curcuminoids, the active compounds in Turmeric shown to support weight loss, fight inflammation, boost brain performance, support normal blood pressure and cholesterol, promote joint health, and other research-proven health benefits.
Active Atoms contains 750 mg of premium Turmeric Extract making it what we believe is the highest potency Turmeric available on the market. Many Turmeric companies add Turmeric Powder to their capsules which dilutes the concentration of curcuminoids making it less potent.
In addition, Active Atoms send their Turmeric Extract capsules to an independent lab for lead testing to ensure your Turmeric supplement will be safe and pure.
If you want to learn more about the optimal dosage of turmeric, check out this article:
Get Started with Active Atoms to Support Your Weight Loss Goals
While we know that turmeric extract promotes a healthy digestive system and can support your weight loss goals, it is only one small piece of the overall health puzzle and it doesn’t necessarily get to the root cause of your issues.
That’s why it’s important to make sure you are eating a balanced diet from whole, nutrient-dense foods, getting adequate exercise and sleep throughout the day, and managing stress as part of an overall healthy approach to weight loss and inflammation reduction.
Before considering adding a turmeric extract supplement to your daily regimen, it’s always best to consult your doctor or practitioner (like an endocrinologist) to figure out the best way to incorporate these as part of your existing healing routine. Nothing in this article is intended as medical advice or diagnosis.
With that said, if you are serious about losing weight and want to fight excessive inflammation in your body to support your goals, get started with Active Atoms today.
AUTHOR BIO
Nicole Cieslak is a functional nutritional therapy practitioner and certified personal trainer located in Denver, Colorado specializing in gut health, hormone balance and performance nutrition. Every day she strives to help people overcome chronic health issues by getting to the root cause. She helps clients take back control of their health through personalized food, lifestyle and supplementation adjustments. Learn more about her nutritional therapy services at thefitfoodist.com and follow her on Instagram at @fitfoodist_foundations for free health, fitness and beauty advice.
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