How dangerous is the adulteration of turmeric?

 How dangerous is the adulteration of turmeric?

Turmeric not only makes dishes attractive but it is also full of medicinal properties. Turmeric, which belongs to the species of flowering plant, is considered very important in Ayurveda medicine. Because it has properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulation.

If we talk about the dishes cooked in the kitchen, the dishes are rarely cooked without turmeric. Turmeric makes the dish golden and looks attractive. In South Asian countries, turmeric is widely used in cooking or medicinal treatment. Turmeric is also considered as a skin brightening herb. But in recent times, there is a debate among experts about the need to stop using turmeric as it is poisonous.

There are many studies and researches saying that turmeric is really dangerous for health?

According to the international portal "The Economist.com", turmeric itself is not harmful. But the chemicals used to bring more brightness to the color of turmeric are harmful. Adulterated turmeric poses health risks.

Lead (lead) chromate is used to make the color attractive in turmeric. Lead chromate is a neurotoxin. 1.4 million people died worldwide in 2019 due to heart and brain diseases due to excessive exposure to this neurotoxin. The conclusion of the study is that the use of such toxic turmeric interferes with the brain function of children in particular.

Turmeric is widely used in South Asian countries. According to a study by the US Center for Global Development, a think-tank in Washington, one out of three people worldwide is using this lead. On an average, 81.5 million children are falling prey to it.

Due to lead poisoning in children of poor countries, there is a 20 percent difference in reading and learning activities compared to children in developed countries. The financial cost is as low as it gets. Due to this poisoning, the GDP in South Asian countries has decreased by 9 percent.

According to a new study published in the Lancet Planetary Health, people in South Asia have higher levels of lead in their blood. The main reason was being studied for a long time. Zinc lead is found not only in turmeric, but in many other foods. Lead can also be used in cooking utensils, cosmetics and other everyday products.

This is how Bangladesh discourages adulteration of turmeric

In 2019, a team of researchers from Stanford University and the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR) began a study focusing on the adulteration of turmeric. The team, working with the country's Food Safety Authority and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate the use of lead chromate pigments in turmeric.

According to which strict laws were introduced against adulteration and the wholesalers selling adulterated turmeric were started to be prosecuted. 50,000 posters were placed in public places warning against this in the market of Bangladesh. The local media also widely publicized it.

Rules were made to declare those who do such adulteration as criminals. Not only that, the adulterers were also punished.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Environmental Research, it has been found to be very successful. As a result, there was a reduction in lead contamination in turmeric and within two years it was reduced to zero.

Due to the determination of the political leadership in Bangladesh, it succeeded in spreading public awareness against adulteration. It seems that the governments of countries like India and Nepal, which consume a lot of turmeric, should also adopt this strategy of Bangladesh.

Can confidence overcome disease?

'I was shocked for a few seconds as soon as I found out that I had cancer. But after a few moments I decided to get rid of this disease as soon as possible.

This statement is from Anita Sharma who lives in Ghaziabad region of India. When she found out that she had breast cancer, it was a terrible shock. This created a tense atmosphere in the family. But Anita did not give up.

A week after she heard she had cancer, she underwent breast surgery. She says that after getting cancer, she never allowed herself to think that she was suffering from any serious disease. Anita underwent breast surgery in 2013. Now she is not only living a normal life, but also inspiring others to think positively.

How does yoga and exercise increase confidence?

She exercises daily. She also teaches yoga and meditation to others. Anita Sharma's willpower never let her down. He knew that his illness was challenging. But she was able to face it with her strong faith.

Experts say that if you believe in yourself, you can become physically and mentally strong. In this regard, Dr. Mississippi State University's Department of Exercise Physiology. Zachary M. Gillen says, "Confidence not only helps you to motivate yourself, it also has a positive effect on your thinking." Confidence increases the level of epinephrine, adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones in the body that increase self-confidence.

Dr. According to Gillen, if exercise is done along with full confidence, muscle strength can also be increased. This is also the secret of athletics being strong. The stronger and bigger the muscles are, the stronger and healthier the body is. For example, the size of the muscles of the athletes is bigger as well as stronger,” she says.

Dr. According to Gillen, muscles are able to determine their role according to the needs of the body. Ordinary people may not be able to perform every activity like an athlete. But with continuous efforts such people can also improve their performance. Also, if you have a positive mindset along with exercise, yoga, anyone can prove to be helpful in focusing on your goals. Gillen says.

Which is evident in the case of cancer fighter Anita Sharma. During the treatment, his right hand was damaged.

Remembering that moment, Anita says, 'My hand suddenly became swollen due to wrongly administered chemotherapy drugs. Not only that, three fingers of my right hand could not work at all.

At that time, he thought that his hands would not be able to work in the future. But she did not lose heart. And she moved her finger as slowly as possible. As a result, even though his fingers are crooked, now he has no problem doing such tasks, whether it is kneading dough for bread or lifting heavy objects.

Let us never feel helpless

People should not consider themselves helpless in any situation. And Anita believes that confidence is the greatest strength. Which she also applied in her own life and won the battle against cancer.

Even after the breast surgery, she did not want to stay completely in bed. From the day after the surgery, she didn't even take help from anyone to go to the toilet. She emphasizes on positive thinking. Exercise strengthens the body and positive thinking increases mental strength. Anita has the experience of making every difficulty or challenge seem small.

Exercise is also a medicine for mental illness

According to experts, if the mental problem is not too serious, it can be controlled to a large extent with the help of yoga and exercise.

Senior Psychiatrist of Dehradun Dr. JS Bisht says, 'Physical fitness not only increases physical capacity by strengthening muscles, it also proves to be very important from the point of view of mental health.'

Dr. According to Bista, nothing can be better than regular exercise to remove mental problems like fear, depression, anxiety. Mental and physical health cannot be seen separately and confidence also plays an important role in it. Bisht says.

In the definition of the World Health Organization, both are considered complementary to each other. He says, "Many psychiatrists advise their patients to exercise regularly along with medication. Because it is easier for a physically active person to overcome mental challenges.

He says that no matter what age a person is, exercise must be done because it has many benefits.

- Exercising strengthens muscles. And, the efficiency of the activities that the body can do increases.

-Regular activities like jogging, aerobics, rope opening are beneficial for fitness and strength in the body.

-Playing games like badminton, table tennis also increases physical ability.

If it is not possible to do such activities, then you can try to walk daily for some time. Micro-exercise is very effective in maintaining memory in old age.

But while doing such exercises, special attention should be paid to some aspects. Exercise should not be done in haste. Exercise should be done by slowly stretching the body as comfortably as possible. As far as lifting weights is concerned, do not rush to lift heavy weights. For this, you should try to lift less weight on one day and more weight on another day. With this, the muscles can easily adapt to the needs of the body. And, there is no possibility of major serious injuries.