Tag Archives: Turmeric

Diet

Turmeric and Weight Loss: Cautiously Optimistic

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On October 19, I wrote about the purported weight-loss benefits of turmeric.  Since then I have been experimenting with the spice. Below are my observations so far.

Please keep in mind that my particular case is difficult. I take medications that contribute to weight gain, I suffer from overwhelming fatigue and can’t exercise, and I need to consume a fair amount of healthy fats for proper mood management and brain function. My results so far have been interesting but not stellar. A person without my deficiencies may well have significantly better results.

I started with a teaspoon of turmeric in hot water, taken as tea. This had a mildly disorienting effect on me, so I decided to take it at bed time. In 3 days, I lost two pounds. I got cute and wondered if this would still work if I ate a bunch of carbs and sugar (well, the magazine said it would!) and gained it back immediately.

I became discouraged and decided to stop the turmeric until I had a new tin of it. For all I knew, the turmeric that I had been using came out of King Tut’s tomb.

I started up again November 5. That was 12 days ago. In addition to taking turmeric at bedtime, I am drinking 1/2 lemon squeezed into hot water first thing in the morning to promote good liver function. I’m also sticking to a reasonable diet, watching carbs and avoiding junk food. I am not controlling portions or counting calories.

In 12 days I have lost 2.2 pounds.

Not exciting. But wait! These have been very stubborn pounds, and the weight loss was steady, without the usual bobbing around on the scale. My friend, Desiree, also made the point that herbal treatments often have to build up in the system, and to give it more time.

Today I realized I have been measuring pounds, but not inches. So I got out the tape measure, and it appears I have dropped some bulk. I can’t say for certain, because I did not measure when I started this experiment. I dragged on a pair of pants that haven’t fit in a few years, and while they are not the lovely, baggy fit I enjoy, I can wear them again.

I am no longer craving junk and I am feeling fuller on less food.

I had dental surgery a few days before I started the turmeric, and turmeric eased the pain significantly. It is a terrific anti-inflammatory. and of course, I am racking up all that cancer-prevention, liver-cleansing and cholesterol-lowering power.

Bonus: I am waking up alert in the morning.

I am tolerating the turmeric well, so 2 days ago, I increased from 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. Note: if you want to try this, please see my initial post regarding potential issues with turmeric use.

I am cautiously optimistic. I’ll keep you posted.

Diet, Food

Turmeric: The New Fat Terminator?

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Lat Spring I dumped 20 pounds in about a month on the Aztec Diet Chia Challenge. Then I went through some relationship turmoil and while I did not resume previous bad habits, I lost the motivation to stick with a reduced calorie liquid diet. Since then I’ve been wrestling with the same five pounds.

I’d like to lose at least thirty more pounds.

I still start every morning with a smoothie. I drink several Kale Blueberry Smoothies every week, on those days when I want to be especially energized. But my brain injury and struggles with depression require more Omega 3 fats than the Aztec Diet allows. I am watching my carbs. Pizza and ice cream are a non-grata foods in my house. I no longer hit the Wendy’s drive through for 1/2 pound cheeseburgers.

I’m stuck. I’m spinning my wheels and I’m tired of the mud splashing in my face.

Yesterday I picked up the November 4th Issue of First for Women because the neon-green and white headline read “The Spice that Ends Belly Fat” with “Lose 6-9 LBS Each Week + End Bloat” and “The active ingredient in turmeric collapses midsection fat cells + powers up the liver by 89%”

I’ve been interested in turmeric’s cancer fighting and skin-enhancing properties  for a long time but have limited my turmeric consumption to spicing my weekly pot of beans with curry. So I grabbed the magazine.

First declares that turmeric destroys existing fat cells, prevents the creation of new fat cells, revs up your metabolism AND repairs the liver. Sound good? They also state that mice on a high fat diet had reduced their fat by 43% in 12 weeks when fed turmeric extract in an amount equivalent to giving a human 1 tsp per day.

The article then shares a number of recipes that use turmeric. Boo. Hiss. I like what I’m eating now, thank you. They also featured expensive supplements. More boos. More hisses. I went on the internet. Turns out you can buy turmeric tea that contains the equivalent to 1 tsp turmeric.

Why buy a tea? I heated up a cup of water and stirred in 1/2 tsp turmeric, and it is palatable and savory.  I figure I can substitute turmeric tea for coffee, and easily get in 1 tsp per day.

Turmeric has many health enhancing properties. One of the better articles is here

High doses, in excess of 2 grams per day (1 tsp is approximately 2.2 grams) can cause nausea, diarrhea, increase risk of bleeding, lower blood pressure, and lower blood sugar. It can also cause your gall bladder to contract, causing people with gall stones to have issues.  If you are diabetic, hemophiliac, taking blood thinners or blood pressure medications, then you should consult with your doctor before taking turmeric. Even if you have none of these conditions, I would try lower amounts first to see how you react to it.

Me, I’m going to give it a try. I’m doubting the 6-9 lbs per week claim. Still, half of that would be terrific. Anything that would get me losing regularly would be a Godsend.  Will it work? I’ll let you know.