Not only ginger (Zingiber officinale), one of the most popular of all the spices, but also the five most important products rich in antioxidants in 2006 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July). Many studies have investigated medicinal properties of ginger have been effective in movement disorders, such as prevention of diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and stomach ulcers.

Studies have shown effects of ginger in accordance with the following conditions:

Alzheimer

The two most important antioxidants in ginger, turmeric and gingerol has been shown to inhibit and even reverse the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition zingerone, ginger, an antioxidant, neutralizes the potent oxidant peroxynitrite, which was involved as an aggravating factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Cancer

Found high levels of debt ginger showed high activity of cancer in laboratory studies and clinical trials. Although the anti-tumor effect of ginger is not yet understood is assumed that the following mechanisms:
Anti-cancer often have inflammation and ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory activity reduces inflammation caused by cancer. Ginger is a powerful COX-2 activity by reducing the harmful COX-2, which can damage the overproduction of various tissues.
Cancer cell death: a sharp vanilloid Paradol gingerol in ginger are highly effective in killing cancer cells. To do this, either directly cytotoxic activity against tumor cells and indirect induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.
Reduction in tumor initiation and growth: phytochemicals zerumbone antagonizes the tumor to initiate the process and help both. It does this through the promotion of antioxidant enzymes and signaling pathways in relation to poor communication between the pro-inflammatory tumor cells.
Prevention of damage to DNA: Melatonin is an antioxidant that the body in some plants such as ginger. His use of the property to get to most of the body is also in the brain and nervous system and the protection of DNA damage by free radicals can cause cancer.
Bacterial pathogens: Ginger can remove all strains of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which is the major cause of stomach cancer.

Heart and blood fat

Ginger has been shown that cholesterol and triglycerides to reduce dangerously high, raising beneficial HDL. Lipid modulation of these effects, partially prevents the absorption of fat in the intestine. In addition, the cardiac effect of ginger is its ability to reduce the stiffness of the blood platelets and thus reduce myocardial infarction and thrombotic stroke improved.

Anti-inflammatory

Ginger is valued for a long time to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases has been in many scientific studies found that that you are involved in many anti-inflammatory drugs to show help. It is a potent inhibitor of COX-2 enzymes, cytokines and prostaglandins, which are an important part of the inflammatory response. abnormal tissue swelling occurs when more than prostaglandins, cytokines, and COX-2 cells from a common material released. Most of these molecules, which are exempt, inflammatory cells and chemicals has attracted many of the joints, causing pain and injury to the articular surface. These materials are part of the inflammatory mechanisms that can cause a variety of tissues, and this condition is a chronic systemic inflammation.

Antibacterial

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is a strong immuunipuolutustukseen consumption and quickly destroyed almost all the devices are taken with food. Helicobacter pylori is particularly resistant bacteria grows very hostile environment stomach. Established cause these bacteria, many problems such as indigestion, esophagitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers and stomach. Ginger is traditionally used to treat abdominal pain, and was recently found to kill all pathogens Helicobacter pylori 7:00. Regular use of ginger to help kill harmful bacteria before they are established, thus killing the use of antibiotics, the intestinal bacteria, many valuable purposes.

Diabetes

Although it is relatively little research on diabetes in the ginger is to let the promise of early studies, it can increase insulin sensitivity. This suggests that is likely to be a kind of prophylactic against the disease.

Obesity

Ginger is a double against obesity. Phytochemicals Shogaol gingerol and improves the metabolism, burn to remove excess fat and the absorption of fat in a diet rich in calories, which helps me.

Antioxidant

Ginger is the source of many antioxidants, such as reducing the oxidation of fats, more domestic production of key antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase. Melatonin, in particular not only for their own very powerful free radicals, but also stimulates the main antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase in the brain.

Ginger plays an important role of the traditional medical system by modern research has been confirmed. Like most spices, is the preventive effect better than the other herbs, such as the synergy of active pharmaceutical ingredients that are in this group of foods .

Keith Scott is a medical doctor who has a special interest in nutritional medicine. He has written several books on health related topics including Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power Of Spices and Natural Home Pharmacy. For more information about ginger,the medicinal value of other spices and spice supplements go to: http://medspice.com