Preventing Metabolic Syndrome with Turmeric

• Risk Factors

Turmeric and its compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect healthy cells. Many of turmeric's activities also regulate metabolism and the immune system, and may even help slow aging. For example, lab studies show that curcumin compounds from turmeric can help improve intestinal barrier function. This helps reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions. Research suggests that these beneficial effects of turmeric compounds can help prevent and treat metabolic syndrome. ^{(vii.1-3, vii.322)}

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that involve defective fat and sugar metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance: ^(vii.1-4)

• Obesity
• Type-2 diabetes
• Heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels)
• Fatty liver disease

Metabolic syndrome conditions are also linked to higher risk of developing cancer. ^(vii.4)

Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

Figure VII.1: The Inflammatory Metabolic Syndrome Cycle

Each disease in the metabolic syndrome individually increases the risk of developing another metabolic syndrome condition. This is because each is caused by and adds to the environment of low-level, chronic inflammation: ^(vii.2, 3)

However, other factors can also create or add to this inflammatory environment, including:

• Aging: A build-up of free radical damage over time contributes to the higher risk of some metabolic syndrome conditions (e.g., type-2 diabetes and heart disease). In turn, these accelerate aging. ^(vii.5, 6)
• Chronic Overeating/Alcohol Consumption: Both trigger inflammatory pathways that contribute to dysfunctional metabolism and unhealthy aging. ^(vii.5, 6)
• Infection : Disease-causing microbes activate the immune system and cause acute inflammation. For example, certain types of bacteria contain a molecule that stimulates production of TNF-α, an inflammatory cytokine protein. Bacteria also trigger NF-κB, a transcription factor protein which turns on genes that produce many different inflammatory factors. Unregulated acute immune system responders can cause chronic inflammation and serious metabolic diseases. They can even promote cancer. ^(vii.6, 7)
• Smoking cigarettes: Toxins create free radicals and inflammation. ^(vii.6)
• Circadian rhythm disruption: Research suggests that activity (e.g., work, long-distance plane travel) that disturb our natural biological clocks can cause lower insulin levels. ^(vii.6)
• Sleep deprivation: Increases insulin resistance. ^(vii.6)
• High fat intake: A high fat "Western" diet can damage the intestinal wall, leaking gut bacterial byproducts into the blood system. In turn, this may contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis.