It seems that in recent years we're being almost flooded by a non-stop flow of scientific discoveries about turmeric and health.

This remarkable little plant is being examined in health research laboratories around the world, and some exciting and potentially life-saving findings are being made about turmeric and its active ingredient curcumin.

For example, there is a strong relationship between turmeric and health of children with a risk of leukemia -- turmeric reduces that risk.

At the other end of life, turmeric may prevent or slow down Alzheimer's disease. In this case the link between turmeric and health of the aged is easy to see --it removes something called amyloyd plaque building up in your brain.

Turmeric and health in cancer patients is increasingly being linked. In laboratory mice, it prevents breast cancer spreading to the lungs. And in combination with other things is seems to prevent and halt prostate cancer.

For several thousands of years Indian healers have used turmeric as an effective pain killer. Western scientists now see it also inhibits cox-2 -- an enzyme that makes prostaglandins which cause things like inflammation, pain and fever.

The curcumin in turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties, so it is used as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis. For this reason alone, many elderly people know there is a link between turmeric and health in old age.

The same ancient Indian healers have known turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial compound and used it to heal cuts and burns. Modern mums also know all about this!

Moreover, a link appears to have been demonstrated between the metabolism of fat and weight management programs.

I could go on and extend this list. But my point is that turmeric and health are definitely linked in many areas. And that raises the question, how best to take advantage of this?

My recommendation is to include turmeric in your supplements. Many supplement makers are beginning to include it in their products, but the potency of the curcumin -- which does all the work -- will vary so you need to be selective and not just buy the first supplement with turmeric on the label.

Curcumin can be concentrated as much as 95 percent in turmeric, and it is curcumin with this potency that you need to look for in a supplement. the manufacturers who want to cut their costs will put in low potency curcumin. But there are some reputable supplement makers out there who will give you the full benefits of 95 percent potency curcumin, so I suggest you keep looking until you find them.

Actually, you might want to start your search at my own web site. It has a lot of information about these things and people find it helpful. I would recommend it. But I am really suggesting you maximize the link between turmeric and health by looking for turmeric-rich supplements.