Alzheimer’s affects more than 4 million Americans and countless millions of other individuals around the world. According to some studies in the U.S. about 3% of people aged 65 to 74 have Alzheimer’s and as many as half the population over 85 are affected. This suggests that if we are fortunate enough to live into our 80′s or 90′s our individual risk is quite high.
I now know what Alzheimer’s is like and it is frightening. My father, who passed away recently from complications of cardiovascular disease, had the beginnings of dementia and what may have been Alzheimer’s. In his last months, he lost much of the functioning of his short term memory and seemed to no longer be able to distinguish the difference between night and day.
My father was aware of the changes he was experiencing and it brought him great sadness. In some ways, when he passed, we found comfort in knowing he would no longer have to suffer the frustrations he experienced with a mind that refused to cooperate. My father’s two younger siblings, both sisters, also seem to have Alzheimer’s.
I have concerns about my risk for following the same path. And I am concerned for my many siblings (there are seven of us). As such I keep up as much as I can with the research on Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention.
I am encouraged by some of the recent research with curcumin. Curcumin is an active component in both curry powder spice and turmeric. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties both of which may be important in reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s. Some more recent and very encouraging research with curcumin suggests that it might also function as a treatment for Alzheimer’s!
Curcumin has been found to inhibit the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques which interfere with the healthy functioning of the brain in a manner similar to the destructive accumulation of cholesterol plaques in our veins and arteries. In addition, it seems that curcumin may also have the ability to actually break up existing plaques and as such would be far more effective than the current treatments.
Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory agent with traditional Indian medical practices. And curried dishes have long been a dietary staple. Is it no coincidence that India has some of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s of any country in the world?
To read more:
Curry may help body clear itself of Alzheimer’s plaques | Science Blog
technorati tags:curcumin, Alzheimer’s, diet, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, health, healthy, eating, risk
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