Turmeric Compound Effects on Listeria
Listeriosis is the infection caused by a type of bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is found in many foods—even if refrigerated. The most common ones are: (v.18, 94)
- Hot dogs and deli meat
- Raw meat and poultry
- Raw sprouts
- Unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses made from it (such as feta, brie, and queso fresco)
Listeriosis Symptoms
Listeria typically infects the gastrointestinal system within about two months of exposure. It can also cause genital tract infections. These can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to a newborn baby during delivery. (v.18, 94)
- Confusion
- Diarrhea (usually precedes vomiting as a symptom)
- Fever
- Mild flu-like symptoms (in pregnant women)
- Skin lesions (rare)
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting
Who's at Risk for Listeriosis?
Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of developing listeriosis. Other conditions that can make people susceptible to the listeria infection include: (v.94)
- Advanced kidney disease
- AIDS and HIV
- Alcoholism
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
Listeriosis is Especially Dangerous for Pregnant Women and Infants
Listeriosis is a potentially fatal illness for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and infants. It can pass from mother to infant in the uterus and cause a miscarriage in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy as well as stillbirth. (v.18, 94)
Infants who survive to term can still suffer from serious illness (e.g., retardation, paralysis, seizures, and blindness). In the worst cases, infants can die from sepsis and meningitis shortly after birth. (v.18, 94)
Complications of Listeria Infection
Possible complications from listeria in patients of all ages include: (v.18)
- Abscess in the spleen or brain
- Encephalitis
- Eye infections (e.g., pink eye and uveitis)
- Liver disease
- Meningitis
- Myocarditis
- Pericarditis
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Septic arthritis
- Septic shock
How Can Turmeric Compounds Help?
| EFFECT OF TURMERIC COMPOUNDS |
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Lab studies suggest that curcumin, by itself or combined with other antibacterial compounds, can suppress Listeria bacteria. (v.16) Encapsulated curcumin is much more potent than plain curcumin. It substantially inhibits even antimicrobial-resistant Listeria. (v.16) Research (mostly lab studies) show that other individual compounds in turmeric also have antibacterial effects against Listeria. These include:
All of these performed better than the antibiotic streptomycin in the disc-diffusion type of test, which had no effect on Listeria. (v.67) |
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