How can turmeric be beneficial for elderly care?

Turmeric is a common element of every Asian kitchen. Turmeric has lots of medicinal properties that can be beneficial for elderly care. Turmeric has been used for treating many ailments common in the older age. Liver diseases, memory and digestion problems are few such issues addressed with this medicinal root.

Lets' explore some of the essential properties of turmeric that will help in treating some issues at home.

The importance of turmeric in elderly-care

1. Managing the blood sugar level

Curcumin, the main ingredient present in the turmeric is useful for preventing diabetes. It increases insulin sensitivity and improves the activity of the pancreatic cells. Like beta cells, they are beneficial to prevent type-2 diabetes. A curcumin-rich diet is useful to prevent inflammation caused by type-1 diabetes. Curcumin helps to prevent the deposits of fat and prevent obesity. This will, in turn, help to reduce the liver and kidney problems of elderly diabetes patients. Curcumin helps to inhibit the signals of the cytosine protein that causes inflammation.

2.   Preventing the heart-disease in elderly persons

The curcumin presents in the turmeric also have the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and properties. Dr Robert Cotterel of Sutter Medical Group said that turmeric could act as an antiplatelet agent. It can slow down blood clotting to prevent heart attacks in elderly persons. Furthermore, it helps in lowering cholesterol as well.

3.   Easing joint pains with turmeric

Turmeric is an antiproliferative agent that prevents rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis—the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin help in reducing bone and joint damage.  So, a carer can use turmeric as a natural medicine in elderly care.

4.   Turmeric used for improving memory

Curcumin stops the clustering of beta-amyloid to stop the inflammation of brain cells that causes memory loss in senior persons. It promotes the production of bilirubin that protects the brain against free radicals. This helps to improve memory in elderly persons.

The dosage of turmeric in elderly-care

Knowledge of medications and dosage is vital in elderly care. A caregiver needs to be careful while considering turmeric dosage for any treatment. Proper consumption of turmeric helps to lower the risks of inflammatory disease, heart-problems and memory-loss. Besides, it is also beneficial for treating joint pains and arthritis.

❖   The osteoarthritis patients need 400-500 mg of turmeric extract for 3-4 months,

❖   To prevent the high cholesterol level the older adult needs to take 700-800 mg of turmeric extract two times a day for 2-3 months,

❖   We can use a turmeric ointment three times a day for the itching of the skin.

❖   WHO recommends the daily intake of 1.4 mg per pound or 0-3 mg per kilogram of body weight to prevent all kinds of inflammation.

Final Lines

Elderly care medications do not always include the intake of chemical drugs. In fact, turmeric and many other medicinal herbs are a gift of nature to treat our body ailments. Turmeric root has essential properties that can yield manifold benefits. Apart from heart disease and joint pains, this golden root can even help in fighting ageing and other skin issues.  A common cooking ingredient in Asian kitchens, turmeric is a better replacement of all anti-inflammatory medicines like NSAIDs. Its usage in cooking and cosmetics can vary. But a carer must ensure the correct dosage of turmeric root is applied as a medication.