Supplement Saturday review: Saffron the Miracle supplement
How a little flower used as an expensive spice might cure people
Let's not kid ourselves. Saffron is very expensive. And it comes in various colors, shapes, and production locations. One part of why it is costly is its production.
Some claim Saffron is poisonous. It kind of is if you take massive amounts of it. The dose in the pills (around 30-100 mcg or 0.0012-0.004 ounces) is completely safe. Dosages higher than 5 grams (0.17 ounces) can be problematic.
But if you knew Saffron only as a spice, you would be missing a lot.
Scientists have confirmed what herbalists have long claimed. It is a miracle drug. Well, not a drug because it is a plant, but more of a supplement.
And you won't be hearing much in the mainstream media. Not at least because Saffron is still cheaper. And hence not profitable to market instead of antidepressants and other drugs.
Studies have shown Saffron has "cardioprotective, neuroprotective, memory enhancer, antidepressant and anxiolytic" properties.
Or, to put it bluntly. It helps the brain, the mood, and the heart.
It can be better than drugs for treating mild to medium severe mood problems (depression). It's because the brain has a tricky "guard" membrane. The pharma drugs have more difficulty entering through it than Saffron.
So, Yes, I was skeptical too, because there was a hype it helps with being down from problems. But I did take it, and it does make a difference.
I told my friend it was great. Taking it changes the problems into challenges and puzzles. Problems are no longer a nightmare of epic proportions but small solvable obstacles.
So for this Supplement Saturday, I would suggest it. Check your local pharmacy or store if they have it. But double-check what it is in with - they usually combine it with Turmeric or Magnesium. I think both are ok, but I prefer the one with low-dose magnesium.
There is even a product that is Saffron gummy. Although this gummy epidemic is a bit overwhelming for me :)
But don't take my word for it; consult your doctor before. I don't want to get sued and all :P I am a jack of most trades, a master of some, and a doctor of one. But that one (the Ph.D.) is from social sciences, so this is my "amateur opinion." Although I did double-check with the PubMed database to see if the stories add up to the studies. But every person is different. And every medical condition is unique. So consult your doctor to be safe.
And don't overdose - Like I said, massive doses (5 grams or more) can be poisonous - take one pill a day. If you have it in "hairs," take approx 10 hairs, no more. But to be safe, get a scale on which you can weigh small weights. It's hard to get close.
Btw: don't panic - Your urine might be more yellowish, though - it's normal.