Turmeric Holds Promise against Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Sharon Moore June 20, 2013

Whilst drug companies allocate billions of dollars to create the ‘magic bullet’ cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, a very inexpensive spice is now doing the job. Based on the findings of three independent studies, turmeric, which contains an active compound called curcumin, does not only alleviate the behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with the disease, but may also lead to the full recovery of patients.

Turmeric is a traditional cooking spice in India and other Asian countries, which is the reason behind the tangy and sumptuous taste of curry dishes. But aside from its culinary properties, turmeric has been a subject of research for the past years. Numerous studies have linked turmeric consumption to the improvement in the digestive, circulatory and immune systems. But more recent research suggests that it is good for the brain too.

In a study review by the Kariya Toyota General Hospital in Kariya City in Japan, researchers analysed the therapeutic value of turmeric by looking at the findings of three separate studies. They found that the herb relieved dementia symptoms and promote overall cognitive function.

In the study involving three patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease who suffered from extreme agitation, irritability, apathy and anxiety, one year supplementation of turmeric powder has been associated with improvement in symptoms. The participants’ scores on Neuro-Psychiatric Inventory test and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) increased by 5 points in just 12 weeks of treatment.

Taking as little as one gram of turmeric daily for three months can result to ‘remarkable improvements’, the researchers wrote.

Similar research published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology in 2008 supports this fact – revealing that turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory and detoxifying mechanisms that help improve the memory of patients with dementia.

Researchers explained that the cognitive improvement was due to the various cognitive effects of curcumin, such as delayed neuronal decline, reduced beta-amyloid plaques, reduced inflammation and microglia formation, and detoxification.

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Turmeric produces mind-blowing recovery from dementia symptoms, multiple case studies show