An ancient Indian herb used for thousands of years by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners is making a big splash in the modern world of anti-aging medicine.
The golden-yellow spice turmeric is being tapped for its apparent ability to help turn the clock back on aging, fading memory. Or more specifically, it’s the compound found inside this delicious spice—called curcumin—that’s showing great promise as a brain protector.
Turmeric may help halt cognitive decline
A new study has revealed that turmeric may have the ability to put the brakes on cognitive decline.
In a study conducted over six months researchers gave a group of 96 volunteers, between the ages of 40 and 90, either 500 mg of curcumin three times a day or a look-alike placebo.
And the results were pretty dramatic.
Those folks taking the placebo had the small declines in memory we expect to see as your brain ages. It’s these little loses that can eventually snowball into cognitive decline and, in some cases, could even lead to dementia.
Curcmin appears to protect the brain against memory loss
But for the lucky group who got the real-deal curcumin it was a whole different story. The potent compound appeared to block the typical decline building a sort of layer of protection around the brain.
And perhaps most exciting, that protection was the strongest in the areas you need it most, the ones that you use all the time in your day-to-day life.
Because the folks who got the curcumin not only performed better on tests of overall memory, they knocked it out of the park on critical verbal skills as well.
For those of us who follow research on natural medicine closely these results, although impressive, weren’t entirely surprising. In fact, in many ways they mirror earlier studies that also revealed curcumin’s impressive effects on the brain.
For example, the study last year that highlighted how a single dose of the herb enhanced working memory and attention within just an hour of swallowing it.
Curcumin tackles memory issues in two different ways
Curcumin tackles memory issues like cognitive decline on two different levels.
1. Curcumin cleans house:
The spice can help breakdown the memory-robbing protein deposits in your brain that are linked to dementia and cognitive decline.
2. Curcumin fattens up your brain:
The potent herb also bumps up the DHA levels in your brain. This is important because the essential fatty acid makes up around 30 percent of the fat in your brain and low levels of fatty acids such as DHA have been linked to cognitive decline.
But curcumin’s benefits don’t end with the brain. The compound fights inflammation all over easing joint pain and helping to protect against deadly heart disease.
You can cook with turmeric to get curcumin into your diet. But to significantly bump up you levels you might want to try a supplement. They are widely available in health food stores and online.
Dr. Mark Stengler has appeared as a medical expert on FOX, CBS, NBC and hosts his own weekly PBS TV show, “Natural Healing with Mark Stengler.”
He’s also written 17 books, including “Prescription for Natural Cures” and The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies which have now sold over 1 million copies.
When he’s not busy sharing his knowledge of amazing alternatives to toxic mainstream therapies, Dr.Stengler practices what he preaches at his state-of-the-art Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, California.
Dr. Stengler has treated tens of thousands patients of all ages, with a wide range of health conditions, such as...
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What makes Dr. Stengler different is his diverse medical training in conventional medications and natural alternatives.
This means he can combine the best of modern technology and traditional time-tested therapies, for safer, long-term treatments.
His track-record of success with this breakthrough approach has earned him national acclaim as “America’s Natural Doctor.”
Dr. Stengler completed premed studies at Mt. Royal College and the University of Calgary, and graduated from naturopathic medical school at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He is Board Certified in Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Stengler lives in San Diego County, California with his wife and three children. He enjoys quality time with his family. His hobbies include several sports and theological studies.
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