Posted on 06/10/2004 12:41:20 PM PDT by SupplySider
Curry 'may slow Alzheimer's'
A spicy ingredient of many curries may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, say researchers. A team from the University of California at Los Angeles believes that turmeric may play a role in slowing down the progression of the neurodegenerative disease.
The finding may help to explain why rates of Alzheimer's are much lower among the elderly in India than in their Western peers.
Previous studies have found that Alzheimer's affects just 1% of people over the age of 65 living in some Indian villages.
Vindaloos
Turmeric is found in everything from mild Kormas to the hottest Vindaloos. The crucial chemical is curcumin, a compound found in the spice.
Alzheimer's is linked to the build up of knots in the brain called amyloid plaques.
Turmeric reduced the number of these plaques by a half.
The researchers also found that turmeric had other health benefits.
It aids digestion, helps fight infection and guards against heart attacks.
In the study, middle aged and aged rats were fed a diet rich in curcumin.
All the rats received brain injections of amyloid to mimic progressive Alzheimer's disease.
Not only was there less evidence of plaque build up in the curcumin-fed rats, they also outperformed rats on normal diets when carrying out maze-based memory tests.
Curcumin also appeared to reduce Alzheimer's-related inflammation in the brain tissue.
Researcher Dr Sally Frautschy said the compound had potential as a treatment for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease - particularly in tandem with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
Dr Richard Harvey, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Curcumin has both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
"Drugs with similar properties could potentially be used as preventative treatments for Alzheimer's disease."
However, Dr Harvey warned that it could be many years before such drugs were made widely available.
See also:
10 Jan 00 | Health 'Curry is cancer fighter' 25 Oct 00 | Health 'Addictive curry' claim attacked 09 Oct 01 | Health Takeaways 'loaded with fat' Internet links:
British Dietetic Association UCLA Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's is almost unheard of in India. Of course they die early of gazillions other causes instead....
Another link about curry. They think it may slow MS as well.
http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/news/Apr2002/CurrySpiceForMS.html
This is why my mother will always have enough marbles to nag me when she's one hundred.
hehehe
lol
Perhaps. Or maybe it's other factors. For example, suppose Alzheimer's is a slow variant of a mad cow/prion caused disease. We eat lots of beef, and have a high Alzheimer's rate. Hindus eat no beef and have a very low Alzheimer's rate...
ping
Curcumin may be an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective therapy for inflammatory bowel disease
Common Indian spice pigment can prevent onset of alcoholic liver disease, study finds
Researchers show cystic fibrosis defect in mice corrected with turmeric extract
And for Alzheimer's here is an interesting search of articles:
ping
FWIW-
The animal tests with amyloid plaques would tend to point toward curcumin as a definite help.
Turmeric also speeds wound healing. There was a contoversy recently when some scientists tried to get a patent based on this fact and many Indians objected that this use of turmeric is a well known part of Indian "Ayurvedic" medical practice.
Turmeric also speeds wound healing. There was a controversy recently when some scientists tried to get a patent based on this fact and many Indians objected that this use of turmeric is a well known part of Indian "Ayurvedic" medical practice.
I've always hated that movie.
LOL
Curry? Let me know when they start making it in different flavors.
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