Curry Ingredient Helps Treat Alzheimer's

January 15, 2005

http://www.mercola.com/2005/jan/15/curry_alzheimers.htm

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder

that occurs gradually over time and results in memory loss, unusual

behavior, personality changes and a decline in thinking abilities. It

affects more than 4 million Americans and many millions across the globe.

However, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease among adults ages 70 to

79 in India is more than four times less than the rate in the United

States. Why such a significant difference? Some researchers believe

the answer for this drastic disparity in Alzheimer's patients found in

India is a direct result of curcumin, a yellow pigment found in curry

spice blocks used as a food dye and preservative.

Treating Alzheimer's With Curcumin

Curcumin has been part of Indian traditional medicine for thousands of

years, used as a safe anti-inflammatory treatment for a variety of

aliments.

According to a study involving genetically engineered mice, it was

suggested that curcumin could inhibit the accumulation of destructive

beta amyloids--a component of the neurofibrillary tangles and plaques

attributed to Alzheimer's disease--in the brains of Alzheimer's

patients, as well as break up existing plaques. Based on findings,

researchers determined:

*

Curcumin is more effective in inhibiting the formation of the

protein fragments than many other potential Alzheimer's treatments

*

The low molecular weight and polar structure of curcumin allows

it to penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively and bind to beta

amyloid

*

Alzheimer's symptoms caused by inflammation and oxidation are

eased by curcumin's powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Medical News Today December 29, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

You may recall articles I've posted on my site about the ways

curcumin, the yellow pigment in curry spice and a dietary staple in

India, has been used to fight cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis.

Now researchers have suggested that this very same ingredient may help

fight Alzheimer's disease.

This discovery reaches us not a minute too soon, as Alzheimer's

disease is rapidly becoming an epidemic in the United States.

Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is one of the most

costly disorders among the elderly. It is a terrible and devastating

disease that causes loss of brain function. The number of diagnosed

patients is staggering: Over 4 million people are affected by

Alzheimer's, a number estimated to increase to 7.7 million by 2030!

Experts are calling the great increase in Alzheimer's cases a " looming

public health disaster " that could potentially turn into an

unmanageable health care crisis.

Aside from the great emotional and physical toll the disease can take,

an Alzheimer's epidemic will have devastating consequences for the

health care economy. Already, United States businesses spend $61

billion on Alzheimer's each year for medical expenses and loss of

productivity, and economic studies estimate that Medicare spending on

Alzheimer's will rise 54 percent to $49.3 billion, and Medicaid costs

will rise 80 percent to $33 billion by 2010.

What's important to understand, though, is that Alzheimer's disease is

not a normal part of aging, and there are ways to reduce your chances

of getting this detrimental disorder.

All you need to do is stay healthy. Here are a few inexpensive,

natural steps I recommend taking in order to reduce your risk of

Alzheimer's:

* Follow the nutrition plan paying special attention to avoiding sugar

* Eat plenty of high-quality omega-3 fish oil

* Avoid most fish and remove mercury

* Avoid aluminum, such as in antiperspirants, cookware, etc.

* Exercise for three to five hours per week

* Eat plenty of vegetables according to your metabolic type

* Avoid flu vaccinations

Related Articles:

Unlocking the Alzheimer's Conundrum; Alzheimer's Fighting

Antioxidant in Apples

Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer's With Dietary and Lifestyle Changes

Conventional Medicine Catching Up on Treating Alzheimer's Naturally

Alzheimer Drugs Don't Work

How You Can Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

January 15, 2005

One of the scary considerations as well, is that beef consumption is also

lower in India.

How many cases of Alzheimers are misdiagnosed? My understanding is that

dementia caused by BSE clinically resembles Alzheimers; and that the only

real means of ruling out BSE is an autopsy- which are rarely done in

Alzheimers related deaths. Perhaps BSE has become a larger problem than

people realize; and we have been exposed to BSE contaminated beef for a long

time .

califpacific [califpacific]

Saturday, January 15, 2005 5:21 AM

Curry Ingredient Helps Treat

Alzheimer's