Turmeric Supplements: Health & Immune System Benefits

Cold season is in full swing, and we’re all looking for magic ways to avoid the dreaded lurgy. In fact, I used to succumb to every cold, flu or bug going around. If a colleague was sick in the office, you could bet I’d be the first to catch it. Basically, my immune system wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. In fact, I’d say probably 40% of the cylinders. And more of a squashed tin can than a cylinder.

So back at the height of the pandemic, I – like many worried people – decided it was time to kick my immunity into gear. And since I started taking a specific supplement, I’ve barely been ill. Except that one time when I did catch Covid, but I blame the Glastonbury crowds for that (and, coincidentally, I forgot to pack my supplements…)

Okay, so disclaimer time: I’m no doctor, and what works to bolster one person’s infection-fighting cells may not have the same benefit for another person’s. But it’s not just me who’s noticed a difference in their health since taking turmeric supplements.

“Turmeric has amazing benefits for your immune system,” says GP and lifestyle medicine physician, Dr Alka Patel. “One of the active ingredients found in turmeric, curcumin, is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help boost immunity. Because it reduces inflammation, turmeric has also shown improvement in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.”

Studies have also shown turmeric to improve muscle recovery after exercise, enhancing memory, reducing skin inflammation and acne, and even to have anti-viral and anti-fungal effects.

“Piperine – one of the active ingredients in black pepper – helps absorption of curcumin, and studies have shown that combining turmeric with black pepper increases the levels of curcumin by 2000%,” adds Dr Patel. She also adds that incorporating turmeric into your diet via the fresh root or grounded spice is best as they contain a host of other nutrients – magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc – that supplements don’t. You should also avoid turmeric if you have active gallstones or kidney stones.