Golden Paste! 10 Reasons Why You & Your Pets Will Benefit

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Turmeric paste, also known as “golden paste”, medicinal benefits for both you and your pet are now mainstream. And for good reason.

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Turmeric paste, widely known for making golden milk,  is made from turmeric, a sacred golden spice is from the root of a flowering plant in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, and is utilized in the culinary world.  However, it’s medicinal properties are what is now being studied and sought after for the treatment of all inflammatory issues in both humans and our animal friends.  

Turmeric and the paste we make from it, aka Golden Paste, has been used medicinally in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.  As awareness grows of the importance of treating the root cause(s) of DIS-ease and not just the disease itself, modern medicine is now recognizing how important this herb is.  This is reflected in the number of studies and publications on turmeric, now numbering over 3000, conducted in the last 25 years, a large number of them focusing in on inflammation in the body.

WHAT EXACTLY IS INFLAMMATION?

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, disease, and exposure to chemicals.  Chronic inflammation is when the bodies response hangs around long after the ailment itself is resolved. 

It’s chronic inflammation, aka “the silent/secret killer”, that is being linked to a wide variety of issues and diseases.  Some serious conditions include but not limited to cancer, heart disease, heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, diabetes and auto-immune issues.

WHY USE TURMERIC FOR CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Turmeric contains bio-active compounds.  One of these compounds is the powerful Curcumin which is a natural anti-inflammatory compound.  It is of no surprise that the paste made from turmeric, or golden paste, is now becoming known as the recipe for inflammation! 

Not to get to “sciencey” but its anti-inflammatory compounds can reduce pain much the same as Ibuprofen/Tylenol and acts like anti-inflammatory drugs called cox-2 inhibitors, Celecoxib and Vioxx, both of which have been removed by the FDA for safety issues.  Turmeric, on the other hand, is a safe viable option that works and is safe to use.

As Curcumin is quickly metabolized and not absorbed easily into the body, by adding Piperine, basically the heat in black pepper, along with the turmeric enables the Curcumin to become more bioavailable (how a nutrient gets detached, gets absorbed by intestines, enters the bloodstream, and reaches target cells) and is absorbed more readily. 

One study showed that when ingesting a substantial dose (2g) of Curcumin, bioavailability remained low.  When Piperine (20 mg) was added the bioavailability rate rose 2000%!

14 BENEFITS OF TURMERIC

The benefits of incorporating turmeric and golden paste into your and your pets daily diet are vast and wide.  Here are a few reasons why you and your pets will benefit.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

As previously discussed, inflammation is at the root of most diseases.  Turmerics anti-inflammatory compounds are what makes this golden spice one of the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds known.

Healthy Joints

The anti-inflammatory compounds of turmeric are especially important for those dealing with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and OA (osteoarthritis).  One study has shown that:

In conclusion, these RCTs provide scientific evidence that supports the efficacy of turmeric extract (about 1000 mg/day of curcumin) in the treatment of arthritis.

This study concluded that high doses of turmeric can be more efficacious than many of the most common medications prescribed.

Heart Health

Turmeric For Health wrote a great in-depth article on “the therapeutic efficacy of turmeric and curcumin in various heart conditions”.  In summary, Curcumin is “one compound that does all these things: lowers cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, protects heart and blood vessels, helps in weight loss, prevent clot formation”.  Another review discusses turmerics Curcumin and the “protective role” it plays in cardiovascular diseases.

Assists With Cholesterol Reduction

According to a study on the effects of Curcumin on lipid levels, it was concluded that low doses of Curcumin showed trends of reduction in levels of both TCL (total cholesterol level) as well as LDL (low-density lipoproteins).

Assists With Stress Tolerance, Depression, & Mood

We all know that chronic stress can lead to anxiety, mood swings, and depression.   

Recent studies show that chronic inflammation has been linked with depression.  Although still not clear as to which causes which, it does suggest that they each exacerbate one another.  This realization has led to successful trials, indicating that turmeric indeed does help with depressive symptoms.

Supports Weight Loss And Healthy Metabolism

Although turmeric doesn’t alter the fact that a whole food, healthy diet and exercise are your best defense against weight gain, it has been shown that turmeric reduces the inflammation associated with obesity issues. 

One study has shown that as “obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade metabolic inflammation”, and that “recent scientific research reveals that Curcumin directly interacts with white adipose tissue to suppress chronic inflammation”.  In other words, it has shown that turmeric can reduce the growth of fat cells.  Another 20-year study on how medicinal plants affect weight loss now affirms that taking Curcumin has positive effects on weight loss.  

Brain Health

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), cannot be cured.  However, research is coming to the conclusion that it can be effectively treated naturally.  According to an article in Brain Health:

Recent research has shown that curcumin has a potential role in prevention of neurodegeneration in AD by boosting cell survival pathways. This is an exciting development and possible intervention for a disease long considered to be incurable.

The most prominent characteristic in AD is known as beta-amyloid plaques.  In this review, it was found that “low doses of curcumin also caused a 43% decrease in the so-called “plaque burden” that these beta-amyloid have on the brain.”

Helps with Digestion and Supports IBS Management

Those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), know that it is no laughing matter.  IBS is a disorder that affects the large intestine.  People who suffer from IBS endure cramping, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.  No laughing matter indeed.

Although not conclusive, studies indicate that relief of IBS symptoms and quality of life were greatly improved by increasing Curcumin consumption.  In another study on animals given Curcumin, it was determined there were positive effects on the rats’ intestinal system.

May Slow Or Prevent Blood Clots

According to the American Society of Hematology, 

“Blood clotting, or coagulation, is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Platelets (a type of blood cell) and proteins in your plasma (the liquid part of blood) work together to stop the bleeding by forming a clot over the injury.”

Typically, the body will dissolve the clot naturally.  There are times when the clot forms internally and does not dissolve.  This can be dangerous.  Curcumin, with its anti-clotting properties, acts as a chemical messenger telling muscles to contract.  Thus, dilating the arteries.  This makes for a smooth flow of blood.  The anticoagulant activity of Curcumin makes it a viable, natural option for those at risk of developing clots.

Reduce Risk & Spread Of Cancer Growth

Although there is no definitive evidence that turmeric can prevent or treat cancer, studies on this topic abound.  In the last 10 years, there have been over 12,000 scientific papers published on Curcumin and its benefits.  According to Integrative Oncology Essentials, these are the more important anti-activity cancer properties of Curcumin:

• Inhibition of cancer cell division
• Increases cancer cell death 
• Decreases cell growth 
• Inhibition of cell survival 
• Inhibits growth of blood vessels to tumors 
• Decreased metastasis 
• Anti-inflammatory 
• Antioxidant
• Inhibition of carcinogens                                                    

Cancer Research UK has stated that Curcumin treatment “has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer, and skin cancer cells”.

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It should also be noted that there are times when taking turmeric supplements may be contraindicated.  Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding (turmeric can stimulate the male sex hormone, androgen), those taking antidiabetic medication (they work similarly), those who are iron deficient and taking iron supplements (turmeric impedes the absorption of iron) and those with gallstone and bile issues (turmeric stimulates bile flow).

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These are only 10+ benefits of ingesting turmeric!  Tip of the iceberg if you will.  You can see by my long-winded, and most likely more technical than anyone wants to know reasons, are why I take golden paste daily and also give to my furry friend, Yogi, a 14-year-old Australian Shephard.

Anyone who knows Yogi can attest that he is still a puppy at heart and energetic (when he wants to be).  The common comment I receive when people are first meeting him is how old is he?  Most are astonished when I tell them his age.  

HOW TO MAKE GOLDEN PASTE

I make this turmeric paste simply, without a lot of added ingredients so that I may use it as a base for multiple purposes.  This easy to make paste literally takes about 15 minutes total to make and stores well in the refrigerator for weeks.  I don’t add my fats to the recipe until I actually use it.  This allows me to adjust accordingly to what purpose I am using it for.  I literally use 2 ingredients, turmeric, black pepper along with water.

Begin by adding 1/4 cup organic turmeric powder to a small pan.  As always, I highly recommend you research the sourcing of any product you choose.  You can find my preferred brand here.  Add to the powder about 1/4+ tsp of black pepper, my favorite can be found here.

Add 1/4 cup of water and begin stirring on medium heat.  Keep stirring the mixture, cooking on medium-low heat, for 5 minutes.

You will most likely find that you need to periodically add a bit of water as you stir the paste in order for it to not dry out.  You want the mixture to maintain a paste-like texture, not too watery or too dry.  

Remove from heat, place in a glass container for storage, and let it cool to room temperature before covering and placing in the refrigerator for storage.

Your golden paste is ready to use in any recipe you like!  My favorite is golden milk.  I normally have this during the evening, before bedtime.  To make just warm 1 cup of milk of your choice (I use organic raw milk), 1/2 to 3/4 tsp golden paste, 1/2 tsp coconut oil and a pinch each of ground cinnamon and ground cardamom.  Once heated, add honey to taste.  YUM!

I also make a daily turmeric toddy that I enjoy.  Simply add the juice of 1/2 lemon (1/2 juice of orange as well if I have it) to 1 cup boiling water along with 1/2 to 3/4 tsp golden paste, 1/4 tsp coconut oil (yes I buy it this big for use in cooking and my lotions & potions), and 1/2 tsp raw honey.  This makes a great pick me up mid-morning filled with golden goodness.

For Yogi, I add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp golden paste to his food along with 1/2 tsp coconut oil 2-3x per day.  

There are many more uses for this paste as well.  It can be added when cooking, think curries, rice, and baking (there are some amazing cakes out there using this paste that I’ve gotta try!).  Add it to smoothies, salads & yogurt.

Food for thought. What works for us, so too can work for animals of all kinds. Farm animals of all kinds may benefits from the use of turmeric paste in their diets.

After reading this I hope you too can incorporate some healing gold into your diet & that of your pets and farm animals. 

Already do?  Share how you make and enjoy it!  Be sure to join us below and receive our monthly “Happenings Here On The Hill” shout-out full of tips, tutorials, recipes & more!

Love, Light, & Laughter ~

DISCLAIMER

Recommendations and or suggestions made by this blog regarding husbandry and or herbal remedies etc. are not meant to replace solid advice from qualified professionals.  None of the information on this blog has been evaluated by the FDA.  Products or remedies mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  Please do your due diligence.  Research, talk to qualified professionals and proceed at your own risk.

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