Curcumin [Tumeric] good for brain

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Curcumin found to prevent brain degenerative diseases including Parkinson's

and Alzheimer's

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 by:

http://www.naturalnews.com/035380_curcumin_degenerative_disease_brain.html#ixzz1\

qQzUCViC

(NaturalNews) Curcumin, the bioactive compound found in the Indian curry

spice turmeric and commonly referred to as 'holy powder', has been used for

centuries in folk medicine to treat wounds, infections, and other health

problems. Today researchers are using the power of the evolving science of

epigenetics to reveal how curcumin is crucial in the fight against many

forms of cancer, as it causes metastatic cells to undergo programmed cell

death, or apoptosis.

Researchers from Michigan State University, publishing the result of a study

in the Journal of Biological Chemistry have found that this amazing natural

compound is able to prevent the destructive formation of alpha-synuclein

proteins that are the hallmark presentation in many neurodegenerative

disease such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin is one a very

select group of structures that is able to cross the delicate blood-brain

barrier to affect biochemical and electrical activities in the brain. The

turmeric derivative has demonstrated the unique capability to prevent

clumping or aggregation leading to disease development.

Curcumin aids protein folding to prevent brain tangles and degeneration

The team lead researcher, Dr. Basir Ahmad and scientists conducting the

study commented " Our research shows that curcumin can rescue proteins from

aggregation, the first steps of many debilitating diseases... more

specifically, curcumin binds strongly to alpha-synuclein and prevents

aggregation at body temperatures. "

The team used precise lasers to study the split-second formation of proteins

known as 'protein folding'. Normally, proteins are folded at lightning fast

speed at the direction of genes and DNA sequences. Damage to DNA caused by

poor diet and lifestyle factors from epigenetic alterations results in

mis-folded proteins and neurodegenerative disease.

Researchers found that when curcumin attaches to alpha-synuclein it not only

stops clumping, but it also raises the protein's folding or reconfiguration

rate. By slowing the speed that the proteins form, curcumin effectively

inhibits abnormal protein clumping to prevent tangles and damage to the

nerve synapses. Chemical and electrical communications are retained that

help to help prevent the early manifestation of Parkinson's disease.

Curcumin can be added to the diet with liberal use of the Indian curry spice

in meal preparation. Many people do not enjoy the taste of curry infused

foods. For those individuals, nutrition advisors recommend a standardized

supplement (std. to 95% total curcuminoids for maximum bioavailability)

providing 300 to 500 mg daily to prevent neurodegenerative decline.

Sources for this article include:

http://news.msu.edu

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243166.php

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-curcumin-parkinson-disease.html

http://www.nutraingredients.com