Tumeric & Alzheimer's Disease
Adapted from article in Telegraph Online
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Delicious though it is, Indian cuisine has an even better benefit, according to psychiatry professor Murali Doraiswamy from Duke University Medical Center.
The antioxidant circumin, which is in a common Indian spice called turmeric, may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to a host of other health issues.
Alzheimer’s disease occurs when plaques accumulate in the brain, blocking electrical signals between brain cells. But in a study, when mice were given high doses of curcumin, the antioxidant dissolved the plaques that had formed in the brains of older mice, and prevented plaques from ever forming in young mice. A human trial, involving copious amounts of Indian food, is now underway.
“Studies seem to show that you need only consume what is part of the normal diet – but the research studies are testing higher doses to see if they can maximize the effect,” Professor Doraiswamy told The Telegraph. “It would be equivalent of going on a curry spree for a week.”
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Although results from the human trials aren’t available yet, it’s not too hard to find anecdotal evidence that supports the theory. “Indian communities that regularly eat curcumin have a surprisingly low incidence of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research at the Alzheimer’s Society.
As if that isn’t benefit enough, turmeric has also been shown to help protect against arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.“Turmeric is often referred to as the spice of life in ancient Indian medical lore,” said Professor Doraiswamy. |
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