How Turmeric May Help Brain Function
To date, most research agrees that turmeric in general, and curcumin specifically, has anti-inflammatory properties, and its this ability to address inflammation that makes it a possible treatment option for various forms of dementia. Animal studies have revealed that the herb reduces inflammation in the brain and also slows the development of amyloid plaques, although exactly how it exerts these effects isnt well understood.
A study published in March 2018 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that in adults between ages 51 and 84 without Alzheimers, a supplement called Theracurmin containing 90 milligrams, or about a quarter of a teaspoon, of curcumin taken twice daily improved memory and cognitive function.
However, whether curcumin can reverse Alzheimers disease remains to be seen, Shetty says. Clinical studies are ongoing.
Can Turmeric Reverse Dementia
Can Turmeric Reverse Dementia? Can turmeric help treat dementia? There is currently no real evidence that supports turmeric being used to prevent or treat Alzheimers disease. A number of studies have used mouse and cell models of dementia and shown that curcumin, one component of turmeric, could be beneficial.
What kind of dementia is reversible? Dementia is classified into two groups, reversible and irreversible . Irreversible dementia causes changes in behavior and personality. The most common irreversible types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimers disease.
Does turmeric reduce dementia? Can turmeric help treat dementia? There is currently no real evidence that supports turmeric being used to prevent or treat Alzheimers disease. A number of studies have used mouse and cell models of dementia and shown that curcumin, one component of turmeric, could be beneficial.
Curcumin Can Boost Brain
Before scientists had a better understanding of neurons, it was believed that they werent able to divide and multiply after early childhood. However, they now know that isnt the case.
Neurons are capable of forming new connections, and in certain areas of the brain they can multiply and increase in number.
One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor . This is a gene thats involved in making a protein responsible for promoting the life of neurons.
The BDNF protein plays a role in memory and learning, and it can be found in areas of the brain responsible for eating, drinking, and body weight .
Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of BDNF protein, including depression and Alzheimers disease (
It may also help improve memory and attention, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, more studies are needed to confirm this .
Summary
Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and may help fight various degenerative processes in your brain.
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What Are Turmeric And Curcumin
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color.
It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb. Recently, science has started to back up traditional claims that turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties .
These compounds are called curcuminoids. The most important one is curcumin.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
Here are the top 10 evidence-based health benefits of turmeric and curcumin.
2 ). Most of the studies on this herb use turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day.
It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using turmeric as a spice in your foods.
Thats why some people choose to use supplements.
However, curcumin is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream. In order to experience the full effects of curcumin, its bioavailability needs to improve .
It helps to consume it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000% .
In fact, the best curcumin supplements contain piperine, and this makes them substantially more effective.
Curcumin is also fat soluble, which means it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil. Thats why it may be a good idea to take curcumin supplements with a meal thats high in fat.
Gaps In The Literature And Implications For Future Studies
A major gap in the literature is that, so far, no intervention trial has tried to link the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin with the potential beneficial cognitive effects therefore, future studies in this field are needed. Furthermore, the potential for curcumin to improve vasodilator function should be assessed in not only the systemic but also the cerebral circulation. If curcumin is able to improve endothelial function equally in cerebral and systemic circulations, this might be another potential mechanism explaining cognitive benefits. Such studies should carefully consider the study population, study duration, curcumin dose and formulation, and choice of cognitive test battery.
Participants most likely to benefit from curcumin supplementation might be those with chronic low-grade inflammation who are prone to accelerated cognitive decline, such as older overweight or obese and sedentary adults.
Depending on the study outcome , future trials should consider the optimal study duration. For cognitive benefits, studies still need to validate short-term cognitive benefits as well as investigate longer-term effects to see whether curcumin has benefits in other cognitive domains in addition to working memory. To see whether curcumin can delay cognitive decline, future studies with longer study periods are needed so that a slower rate of decline can be detected in the treatment group compared with the placebo group.
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Is Turmeric Good For Alzheimers Disease
Once the deposition of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles occurs, things can get ugly pretty quickly. The protein clusters trigger an inflammatory response in the brain, and so the cycle begins.
Globally, there are over 1000 published studies testing the effects of curcumin on various diseases. In Alzheimers patients, many studies point to a similar conclusionturmeric can reduce brain inflammation, beta-amyloid plaque buildup, and oxidative damage related to AD.
The first study well review examined the effects of 90 mg of curcumin taken twice daily in a group of 40 non-demented adults . This 18-month trial was double-blind and placebo-controlled using a highly bioavailable form of curcumin with excellent absorption.
The results showed that turmeric led to significant improvements in the brain regions associated with mood and memory. Researchers believe the benefits in cognitive performance derive from curcumins ability to decrease amyloid and tau accumulation.
Another study analyzed the macrophages of six AD patients. The tests measured beta-amyloid uptake with and without the addition of curcuminoids.
Following curcuminoid treatment, there was significant Abeta uptake by macrophages in 50% of the patients white blood cells. The result suggests turmeric may be a safe approach for the clearance of amyloidosis in the brains of Alzheimers patients.
The study showed a substantial 43-50% decrease in beta-amyloid plaque in the tested mice.
Could Turmeric Reducing Your Risk Of Alzheimers Disease
Considering the potent properties of this compound, results so far are intriguing.
When reviewing the epidemiological studies comparing Indian and American cultures, it is known that Alzheimers disease occurs up to 4.5 times more often in the United States than in India in patients between the ages of 70 to 79.
One of the most likely explanations can be found in dietary differences. What further points towards diet as a chief culprit in this equation is seen when comparing Indians who eat curry to those who did not. Patients who ate curries at least once a month did much better on cognitive exercises compared to those who did not eat curry.
Another interesting fact is that dementia seems to be less frequent in Asian populations compared to North America and Europe. As of now, numerous research efforts have been attempted to determine if this can be scientifically supported. In one animal study, mice were fed low-levels of turmeric and then analyzed to determine the effect on the brain. Animals fed turmeric had much less damage from inflammation, and a lower concentration of amyloid proteins compared to the mice who did not receive this specialized diet.
Amyloid proteins are the leading theory attempting to explain why Alzheimers occurs. As these misfiled proteins begin to accumulate in the brain, inflammation strikes. As a person ages, this inflammation becomes more chronic and signs of brain damage become more obvious.
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Treatment For Alzheimer’s And Genital Herpes
- Date:
- University of South Australia
- Summary:
- For years, curry lovers have sworn by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, but its active compound, curcumin, has long frustrated scientists hoping to validate these claims with clinical studies.
For years, curry lovers have sworn by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, but its active compound, curcumin, has long frustrated scientists hoping to validate these claims with clinical studies.
The failure of the body to easily absorb curcumin has been a thorn in the side of medical researchers seeking scientific proof that curcumin can successfully treat cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and many other chronic health conditions.
Now, researchers from the University of South Australia , McMaster University in Canada and Texas A& M University have shown that curcumin can be delivered effectively into human cells via tiny nanoparticles.
Sanjay Garg, a professor of pharmaceutical science at UniSA, and his colleague Dr Ankit Parikh are part of an international team that has developed a nano formulation which changes curcumin’s behaviour to increase its oral bioavailability by 117 per cent.
The researchers have shown in animal experiments that nanoparticles containing curcumin not only prevents cognitive deterioration but also reverses the damage. This finding paves the way for clinical development trials for Alzheimer’s.
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Read More About Alzheimers As An Autoimmune Disease
You may have read recently about a possible connection between Alzheimers disease and rheumatoid arthritis. A paper presented at the 2014 Alzheimers Association International Conference suggests that the drug etanercept might halt the progression of Alzheimers disease. Etanercept is an anti-inflammatory drug often prescribed in cases of arthritis. Clive Holmes of the University of Southampton, UK, presented the results of the study which tested 15 people with mild to moderate Alzheimers against a control group that received a placebo . But Holmess team found that the participants taking etanercept performed comparatively better on memory, behavior and well-being when compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in their performance on other tests of cognition. Researches warn against getting too excited before larger trials have been conducted, but the results, if not promising, are at least encouraging.
Further, a group of researchers led by Dr. Richard Chou, MD, PhD, reviewed a medical database and identified more than forty-two thousand people with Rheumatoid arthritis. From this group they pulled 165 people with newly diagnosed Alzheimers disease and compared those to a control group. They found that people who were given a medication like etanercept were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimers disease.
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Choosing The Best Turmeric Supplement For Boosting Brain Function
Before you purchase any turmeric supplement, always read the label carefully whether itâs turmeric extract or turmeric powder. The extract contains much more of the active polyphenol, curcumin.
Note how much turmeric extract is in each capsule. Active Atoms Turmeric is formulated to contain the optimal dose of turmeric extract to fight inflammation. Each capsule contains 750 mg of premium turmeric extract. Most people only need 1-2 capsules of Active Atoms per day to get promote cognition, memory, and brain function.
Consider adding Active Atoms to your daily routine to boost your brain health along with addressing nutritional deficiencies, exercising, managing stress better, getting full nights of sleep, and working the brain with online brain games.
Does Turmeric Prevent Alzheimer’s
- Demystifying Medicine
This video investigates the therapeutic potential of curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, to prevent Alzheimers disease. The information presented in this video has integrated research including in vitro studies that aimed to observe the influence of curcumin based interventions in the neuropathology of Alzheimers disease. From mechanisms for neurogenesis to the disintegration of beta amyloid plaques, this video highlights that there are many pathways by which curcumin can elicit its effects. However, there are currently not enough human trials to support the mouse-model studies for turmerics ability to prevent Alzheimers.
References
- Akram, M., Uddin, S., Ahmed, A., Usmanghani, K., Hannan, A., Mohiuddin, E., & Asif, M. . Curcuma longa and curcumin: a review article. Rom J Biol Plant Biol, 55, 65-70.
- Baum, L., Lam, C., Cheung, S., Kwok, T., Lui, V., & Tsoh, J. et al. . Six-month randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, pilot clinical trial of curcumin in patients with Alzheimer disease. Journal Of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 28, 110-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/jcp.0b013e318160862c
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Curcumin May Help Delay Aging And Fight Age
If curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimers, it may have benefits for longevity as well.
This suggests that curcumin may have potential as an anti-aging supplement .
Given that oxidation and inflammation are believed to play a role in aging, curcumin may have effects that go way beyond just preventing disease (
Research Reportthe Effect Of Curcumin On Cognition In Alzheimers Disease And Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review Of Pre
Animal studies show beneficial effects of curcumin on molecular and behavioral level.
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Clinical studies are mixed regarding curcumins effects on cognitive deficits.
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Ways to improve curcumins bioavailability are required.
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Homogenized clinical trials are needed to understand curcumins therapeutic potential.
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Does Turmeric Improve Memory
Turmeric is an increasingly popular supplement. It is often used for pain and inflammation in people with arthritis. New data shows that it also might improve memory. A small clinical study shows that taking a specific curcumin branded ingredient 90 mg by mouth twice daily for 18 months improves memory and attention in healthy, older adults. The study also shows that taking curcumin might prevent the buildup of amyloid in certain parts of the brain. The buildup of amyloid in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimerâs disease.
While this new study is getting a lot of media attention, itâs still too soon to know if it can really help memory in people with Alzheimerâs disease. Some of the patients in this recent study had age-related memory problems, but none of these patients had Alzheimerâs disease or dementia. Also, the improvements seen in this recent study might not apply to all curcumin or turmeric products. An earlier study showed that taking 1-4 grams of a different curcumin product daily does not improve mental function in Alzheimerâs patients. But itâs possible that this other product was not absorbed in large enough amounts to have an effect.
Although the recent results are promising and warrant additional research, it’s still too soon to recommend curcumin or turmeric for improving memory and mental function.
For more details on turmeric, check out our recently .
Curcumin Is A Natural Anti
Inflammation is incredibly important. It helps fight foreign invaders and has a role in repairing damage in your body.
Although acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, it can be a concern if it becomes chronic and attacks your bodys own tissues.
Scientists now believe that chronic low-level inflammation can play a role in some health conditions and diseases. These include (
Summary
Chronic inflammation contributes to some common health conditions. Curcumin can suppress many molecules known to play major roles in inflammation, but its bioavailability needs to be enhanced.
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Turmeric May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a disease, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. There are many different forms of cancer that appear to be affected by curcumin supplements .
Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and been found to affect cancer growth and development (
Studies have shown that it can :
- contribute to the death of cancerous cells
- reduce angiogenesis
- reduce metastasis
Whether high-dose curcumin preferably with an absorption enhancer like piperine can help treat cancer in humans has yet to be studied properly.
However, there is evidence that it may prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, especially cancers of the digestive system like colorectal cancer .
In a 30-day study in 44 men with lesions in the colon that sometimes turn cancerous, 4 grams of curcumin per day reduced the number of lesions by 40% .
Summary
Curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.
Curcumin May Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world . Researchers have studied it for many decades and learned a lot about why it happens. Unsurprisingly, heart disease is incredibly complicated and various things contribute to it.
Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process .
Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels .
The endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. This is when your endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors .
Several studies suggest that curcumin can lead to improvements in heart health . Additionally, one study found that its as effective as exercise in post-menopausal women .
In addition, curcumin can help reduce inflammation and oxidation , which can play a role in heart disease.
In one study of 121 people undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, researchers assigned them either a placebo or 4 grams of curcumin per day a few days before and after the surgery.
The curcumin group had a 65% decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the hospital .
Summary
Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. Plus, its an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.
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