Fact Check: Can turmeric promote a longer lifespan?

For individuals over 50, making thoughtful lifestyle choices is essential to sustaining good health. Regular physical activity plays a key role in reducing the risk of age-related diseases and enhancing mobility. A nutritious, balanced diet is equally important, as is managing a healthy weight, especially around the midsection to minimize health risks associated with excess weight and muscle loss. Consult a doctor for guidance if needed. It's also critical to avoid smoking and tobacco use, keep your mind engaged, and prioritize quality sleep, meaningful social connections, and a positive environment. Regular medical checkups are a must. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), commonly known as haldi, is a staple spice in Indian households. A member of the ginger family, this plant is native to Southeast Asia, with India being its main cultivator. Historically, turmeric has played a significant role in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian healing systems, as well as in Eastern practices like traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it has been traditionally employed to address skin conditions, upper respiratory issues, joint pain, and digestive disorders. Turmeric is a widely used spice and a key ingredient in curry powder. Its primary active compound is curcumin, with the benefits of turmeric often linked to curcuminoids (curcumin and similar substances). It is also responsible for turmeric's distinctive yellow color.

In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to provide a variety of health benefits, including increasing overall energy, reducing gas, eliminating worms, improving digestion, regulating menstrual cycles, and alleviating arthritis symptoms. It is also commonly used in South Asian countries as an antiseptic for treating cuts, burns, and bruises, as well as an antibacterial agent. Modern in vitro research has shown that turmeric has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antimicrobial properties.

Can turmeric promote a longer lifespan?

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that impact biological processes like redox balance, inflammation, and gene expression, potentially improving memory and reducing oxidative stress. It can also act as a promising agent for age-related disorders. However, it cannot independently contribute to a longer lifespan.

In a review by Mehran Izadi et al., curcumin is highlighted as a promising agent for combating age-related diseases. It possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may positively affect age-related cellular proteins. However, the review also notes that the long-term effects of managing age-related conditions are still limited.

A study published inthe International Journal Of Molecular Sciences suggests that turmeric influences a variety of biological processes, including redox balance, inflammation, cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and wound healing. These effects can enhance memory, may delay aging, and reduce the risk of age-related diseases like atherosclerosis. Given its impact on multiple signaling pathways, curcumin-based therapies may be effective for managing complex, multigenic, chronic, and age-related diseases. The study also noted that curcumin's effects are concentration-dependent, exhibiting a hormetic response: low doses act protectively, while high doses can have cytostatic, cytotoxic, or genotoxic effects.

Findings presented in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy indicated that Curcumin, a dietary phenolic compound found in turmeric may promote longevity by reducing oxidative stress and can influence gene expression. It can extend lifespan by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and boosting antioxidant activity. The same study however warrants that the Current evidence does not establish curcumin as a definitive longevity-promoting compound in humans but suggests that it may have health-enhancing effects that contribute to improved overall health.

 "more clinical experiments are now required to measure completely the capacity of curcumin in the route of administration, choice of optimal dose, and also possible drug interactions," the study notes

Turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help combat aging and age-related diseases, but its effects are linked to very low consumption levels, with no evidence supporting its role in extending lifespan.