Turmeric Shown to be Natural Remedy Against Alzheimer's

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 by: Sheryl Walters
Tags: turmeric, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Anyone who has had to care for an elderly friend or relative that suffers from Alzheimer`s will know how debilitating and upsetting the disease can be. Alzheimer`s attacks the brain cells and disrupts the messages that travel between them. This results in impaired memory as well as strange and unsettling behavior. The early signs of Alzheimer`s may not be very noticeable. A poor short term memory may be the only sign, but as the disease progresses long term memories may also disappear. There are thought to be nearly 5 million people that suffer from the disease in the USA alone. Most of who take lots of medication to try and stabilize the disease and to combat the knock on effects such as depression and insomnia. But recent research in to the treatment and prevention of the disease is pointing in a far more natural direction.

India has one the lowest numbers of people suffering with Alzheimer`s in the world. In fact just 1% of Indians over 65 suffers from the disease while that number is more like 10% in America. For years scientists and Doctors had struggled to understand exactly why this is, but research in to the medical properties of a well known spice may just have provided the answer. Early research in to Turmeric was based totally around the spice's amazing ability to stop the growth of cancerous cells. But as the spice was investigated further researchers found that it may also prevent the progression of Alzheimer`s.

The active ingredient in turmeric that makes it such a great medical tool is called curcumin. Curcumin has been found to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and has long been used in China and India to help cure a range of problems from flatulence and menstrual difficulties to bloody urine and toothache. In a study published in the Italian Journal of Biochemistry it was reported that curcumin may also trigger the brain tissue to produce the potent antioxidant bilirubin, which protects the brain against oxidative (free radical) injury. It is this oxidative degenerative injury that is thought to be the main culprit behind Alzheimer`s disease. This goes towards explaining why Alzheimer`s levels are so low in India as turmeric is one of the main spices used in Indian cooking.

This research is by no means pointing towards a cure for the disease, but it may go a long way to helping prevent thousands if not millions of sufferers from going through the hell that can be Alzheimer`s.

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About the author

Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. You can also find some of the most powerful super foods on the planet including raw chocolate, purple corn, and many others.