Spices: Curcumin in Turmeric Lungs Protect Premature Babies

In addition to preventing cancer and diabetes, it is also nutritious turmeric protects the lungs of babies born prematurely.

A recent study found substance curcumin in turmeric can also provide long-term protection against lung damage in premature infants deadly.



Premature babies tend to have lung function that does not require the help of a ventilator so that the maximum and forced oxygen therapy. However, these therapies can cause lung damage and even result in death.

Researchers from the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) found curcumin in turmeric is able to provide long-term protection against damage to the lungs. The study has been published online by the American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology revealed that curcumin in turmeric provides protection against disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BDP), which is a condition marked inflammation and tissue damage. Curcumin is also capable against hyperoxia condition in which too much oxygen into the body through the lungs, up to 21 days after birth.

"This is the first study to find long-term benefits of curcumin in turmeric substances to protect lung function in premature infants," said Virender K. Rehan, MD., Principal investigator at LA BioMed who wrote the study.

"Curcumin is known to have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial, so it could be a good treatment for premature babies requiring oxygen therapy after birth," said Virender.