Abundant Life with John Arts | abundant.co.nz

There are many diseases but few causes. Unnecessary inflammation and cell damage from free radicals are central to the formation of most chronic diseases.

For example, osteoarthritis is primarily about free radicals damaging specialised cartilage maintenance cells called chondrocytes. This is followed by inflammation, the cause of most pain and stiffness.

Curcumin has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. You can read more in this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4883448/

Curcumin is a fat-soluble antioxidant. This means it can neutralise free radicals that readily damage fats, especially cholesterol and triglycerides that circulate in our blood.

I like to include grape seed extract alongside curcumin. This is because the oligomeric proanthocyanidin – known as OPC – in grape seed extract is a potent water-soluble antioxidant. Working together, curcumin and OPC can protect both fat and water-soluble compounds. This can make a significant benefit to our health.

For example, a long-term client added my curcumin and OPC supplement and has had relief from her lower back which has significantly helped her comfort and mobility. I use this for several problems, commonly to support those with non-arthritic joint problems and more recently for those troubled by digestive tract inflammation.

We’ve known for years that curcumin could help digestive issues but the piperine (black pepper extract) required to absorb curcumin can cause irritation, especially to the stomach. I now use BioSolve, a fully water-soluble curcumin that does not require piperine. This means people can take it safely for digestive support.

John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz