And those who took this small dose for 18 months also had less brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. Its mode of action?
STORY AT-A-GLANCE Curcumin, a bioactive ingredient in the spice turmeric, has over 160 potentially therapeutic activities, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anticancer benefits
Research suggests curcumin may have long-term effects on your cognitive function by protecting against brain inflammation. By boosting mood, it may also help prevent depression
Compared to controls, patients who took 90 mg of curcumin for 18 months experienced a 28 percent improvement in memory; brain scans also show they had less brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Research also suggests curcumin may offer potent protection against cancer, and it’s been shown to enhance conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy
Consumed alone in its raw form, bioavailability of curcumin is poor; however, there are formulas and methods that improve absorption. The addition of piperine can increase absorption of curcumin by 2,000% Turmeric, a yellow curry spice used in Indian cuisine, has a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Modern science has confirmed many of its ancient claims, and curcumin alone — one of the most well studied bioactive ingredients in turmeric — has been shown to have over 160 potentially therapeutic activities….