Turmeric is a traditional Indian culinary spice that has been utilized in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. More recently, it has garnered the interest of Western scientific researchers after the discovery of important bioactive compounds. Turmeric contains a group of compounds known as curcuminoids, which among other effects, seem to have the ability to support normal, healthy COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2) levels in the body. COX-2 plays a critical role in the process that controls inflammation. Curcuminoids also act as potent antioxidants that may help to neutralize free radical toxins in both water and fat-soluble forms, which helps to protect many biochemical processes and cells. When the tissues in skeletal and smooth muscles contract together, they cause the lungs to exhale, the heart to squeeze blood from its chambers, and blood vessels to constrict. But they can’t contract continually, they need to release and relax, and this requires magnesium. That’s because it’s an essential element a process called nerve impulse contraction. Calcium plays the opposite role in the process, it’s responsible for the contraction of these tissues. The process is contract and relax, contract and relax, over and over again. But if the ratio of calcium-to-magnesium becomes skewed too far toward calcium the consequences can become serious. Fortunately, Vitamin D3 may support a healthy alignment between the two minerals since it can help move excess calcium into bones. Each of these processes creates significant amounts of free radical toxins as by-products. Free radicals cause significant damage to all cells and many biochemical processes, and they need to be neutralized by antioxidants.