Posted on 07/17/2007 5:06:43 PM PDT by blam
Source: University of California - Los Angeles
Date: July 17, 2007
Scientists Isolate Chemical In Curry That May Help Immune System Clear Plaques Found In Alzheimer's
Science Daily — Researchers have isolated bisdemethoxycurcumin, the active ingredient of curcuminoids -- a natural substance found in turmeric root -- that may help boost the immune system in clearing amyloid beta, a peptide that forms the plaques found in Alzheimer's disease. Using blood samples from Alzheimer's disease patients, researchers found that bisdemethoxycurcumin boosted immune cells called macrophages to clear amyloid beta.
Ground turmeric in small bowl. (Credit: iStockphoto/Jenny Horne)
In addition, researchers identified the immune genes associated with this activity.
The study provides more insight into the role of the immune system in Alzheimer's disease and points to a new treatment approach. Researchers say that it may be possible to test a patient's immune response with a blood sample in order to individualize treatment. The genes involved in the process, called MGAT III and Toll-like receptors, are also responsible for a number of other key functions in the immune system.
The results also suggest a new drug development approach for the disease that differs from the amyloid-beta vaccine. The new approach relies on the innate immune system, which is present at birth rather than on antibodies produced by B cells, which is a later developed part of the active immune system.
Authors of the study include Dr. Milan Fiala, a researcher with the David Geffen School of Medicine and the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System and Dr. John Cashman, director of the Human BioMolecular Research Institute (HBRI) in San Diego.
Cashman received study funding from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and Fiala from the Alzheimer's Disease Association.
The research appears in the July 16 early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by University of California - Los Angeles.
Curry is very popular in India and Pakistan also.
Had a niece that lived in Canada with a lot of Pakistans and India people in her apartment building, the smell would about knock you over, came right through the walls.
I would believe that Hala certified food such as goat and camel would be more popular./s
Well, it’s not a food but you’re right. Curry is very popular and why not? British food for the most part sucks. I have a theory as to why the Brits conquered the world. They were in search of some good cooking. So far, no one has been able to refute it.
Halal
Thanks, I needed that. (oops). ;-)
Curcumin is very useful as an anti-inflammatory, and thus as an anti-cancer agent: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2002/jul2002_report_curcumin_01.html
Well to my knowlwdge curry has nothing to do with Halal food and I for one love it. Whenever I can get to a real Indian restaurant I order chicken curry. MMMM!
FYI
Can you give me a link to your drug/source? I have some old dogs.
He marched on into obscurity, as did most of the "British Invasion" groups of that era.
Many prepared mustards also have turmeric, including the classic French's yellow mustard and Colman's prepared mustard. (I don't believe that some other prepared mustards such as Maille's Dijon Originale have any turmeric.)
Hi Blam,
I buy curcumin at Whole Foods. It’s called Curcumin 95 and it’s made by Jarrow Formulas. It comes in a bottle of 60 capsules, 500 mg each. I give my dog one capsule each morning. She likes cheese, so I hide it in a slice of American cheese. I’ve only been doing this for about a month; it’s not a miracle, but it seems to help.
I also give her four baby aspirins/day (the coated ones).
Thanks.
If you want a good meal in England, choose breakfast.
This one seems to clear out the sluices. I wish I could remember what it is called
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