A popular spice used in Asian and Oriental cuisine, turmeric’s (Curcuma longa) anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties boost immunity, fight inflammation and prevent free radical damage.
Turmeric is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, including manganese, iron and potassium. It also contains dietary fibers and vitamin B6. Curcuminoids, the active ingredient in turmeric, contain powerful neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties that regulate the functioning of the immune system.(1,2,3)
Turmeric For Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease and a leading cause of dementia globally.
Curcumin present in turmeric can cross the blood-brain barrier (a highly selective permeability barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain extracellular fluid) and protects the brain cells.(4)
Inflammation and oxidative damage to brain cells play an active role in Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin is effective in reducing inflammation and oxidative damage.(5)
A key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of protein tangles called amyloid plaques. Studies show that curcumin in turmeric can help clear these plaques.(6)
How To Take It
- Add ½tsp turmeric to a glass of warm milk and drink it twice a day can help prevent and manage Alzheimer’s.
- Alternatively, you can take 500mg of turmeric supplements twice daily. Buy them here.
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Reference:
1. Sahdeo Prasad and Bharat B. Aggarwal. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. Turmeric, the Golden Spice From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine. 2nd edition. Ch 13.
2. Zhou H, Beevers CS, Huang S. The targets of curcumin. Curr Drug Targets. 2011 Mar 1;12(3):332-47. Review. PubMed PMID: 20955148; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3025067.
3. Kapoor S. Curcumin and Its Emerging Role in Pain Modulation and Pain Management. The Korean Journal of Pain. 2012;25(3):202-203. doi:10.3344/kjp.2012.25.3.202.
4. Mishra S, Palanivelu K. The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer’s disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2008;11(1):13-19. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.40220.
5. Hamaguchi, T., Ono, K. and Yamada, M. (2010), REVIEW: Curcumin and Alzheimer’s Disease. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 16: 285–297. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2010.00147.x
6. Zhang L, Fiala M, Cashman J, Sayre J, Espinosa A, Mahanian M, Zaghi J, Badmaev V, Graves MC, Bernard G, Rosenthal M. Curcuminoids enhance amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages of Alzheimer’s disease patients. J Alzheimers Dis. 2006 Sep;10(1):1-7. PubMed PMID: 16988474.
