Could Curcumin Help Heal Damaged Blood Vessels?
Research published by the University of California-Riverside has found that curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, promotes vascular tissue growth. 2 This discovery is significant as it may eventually be used to help regenerate injured tissue or heal chronic wounds. Nearly 2.5% of the U.S. experiences chronic wounds according to 2020 estimates (3). An analysis (4) of Medicare data in 2018 identified roughly 8.2 million people with chronic wounds that may or may not have been infected. The estimated cost of treatment ranged from $28.2 billion to $96.8 billion. The highest cost was associated with surgical wounds, followed closely by diabetic foot ulcers, both of which would greatly benefit from improvements in vascular tissue growth. Curcumin is a polyphenol pigment from the turmeric root that has been used for centuries in medicinal preparations, cooking and food coloring. 5 The turmeric plant is in t...