Is Turmeric a Miracle Herb? Discover the Simple Natural Solution to Lifelong Cognitive Health and Other Health-related Issues

By Prof. Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee Ph.D., Rice University

Losing one’s memory and mental abilities to cognitive decline is something we all fear, and the current statistics on the prevalence of cognitive decline in this country are not pretty. By age 65, sadly, 1 in 8 Americans will suffer from severe cognitive decline, and by age 80, an astonishing 1 in 2 will. Researchers have been working for years to develop an effective treatment. But one “miracle” drug after another has failed to live up to its promises and it’s becoming increasingly apparent that pharmaceuticals are not the solution. Unfortunately, the medical establishment is so narrowly focused on finding an elusive “cure” that scientifically proven prevention strategies are often ignored.

 You may be familiar with turmeric as the bright yellow spice that is commonly found in curry powder. Turmeric has a long history as a healing herb and culinary spice in India. Interestingly, India has the highest per capita consumption of turmeric AND the lowest incidence of cognitive decline worldwide. Curcumin, found in the root of the turmeric plant, is one of the most powerful natural brain protecting substances on Earth. Commonly called curcuminoids, the most important of which is Curcumin, is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

 Previously it was believed that neurons couldn’t divide and multiply after early childhood. However, it is now known that this does happen. The neurons can form new connections, but in certain areas of the brain, they can also multiply and increase in number. One of the main drivers of this process is Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is a type of growth hormone that functions in the brain. Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of this hormone. This includes depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, curcumin can increase brain levels of BDNF. By doing this, it may be effective at delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function. There is also the possibility that it could help improve memory and make you smarter.

 The hallmark process associated with certain types of cognitive decline is the formation in the brain of abnormal protein structures. Normally when malformed proteins are formed within the brain, the immune system sends out cells known as macrophages, which engulf and destroy the proteins. If this ordinary function fails, defective proteins accumulate in the brain and cognitive decline can follow and one key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is buildup of protein tangles called amyloid plaques. This disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a leading cause of dementia. Unfortunately, no good treatment is available for Alzheimer’s yet. Therefore, preventing it from showing up in the first place is of utmost importance.

Recent research is showing that curcumin encourages the immune system to send macrophages to the brain. A landmark clinical trial involved people with severe cognitive decline that measured the effects of curcumin. Amazingly, the participants taking curcumin had significantly higher levels of dissolved abnormal proteins in their blood compared to those in the placebo group.

This study showed that curcumin can effectively pass into the brain, bind to beta-amyloid plaques and assist the body in their breakdown. Curcumin is one of the only substances known to have such a profound protective effect on the brain. It is known that inflammation and oxidative damage also play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, and we know curcumins have beneficial effects on both.

Other Health Benefits of Curcumin

 Promotes healthy cardiovascular function:
Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world. It has been studied for decades and researchers have learned a lot about why it happens. Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process. Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease and involves an inability of the endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and other factors. Several studies suggest that curcumin leads to improvements in endothelial function. Curcumin also reduces inflammation and oxidation which are also important in heart disease. In one study, 121 patients who were undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were randomized to either receive placebo or 4 grams of curcumin per day, a few days before and after the surgery. The curcumin group had a 65% decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the hospital.

 Supports joint and muscle health:
Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries. There are several different types, but most involve some sort of inflammation in the joints. Given that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory, it makes sense that it could help with arthritis. Several studies show this to be true. In a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug. Many other studies have looked at the effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms.

 Powerful Antioxidant:
Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases. It involves free radicals which are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. Free radicals tend to react with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins or DNA and can cause fatal diseases. The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect our bodies from free radicals. Curcumin happens to be a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure. Also, curcumin boosts the activity of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. In that way, curcumin delivers a one-two punch against free radicals. It blocks them directly, then stimulates the body’s own antioxidant mechanisms.

 Supports a healthy inflammatory response:
Inflammation is incredibly important to us. It helps the body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. Without inflammation, viruses like bacteria could easily take over our bodies and kill us. Although acute (short-term) inflammation is beneficial, it can become a major problem when it is chronic (long-term) and inappropriately deployed against the body’s own tissues. It turns out that curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory; it is so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs. Curcumin actually targets multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway, at the molecular level. Curcumin blocks NF-kB, a molecule that travels into the nuclei of cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. NF-kB is believed to play a major role in many chronic diseases. In several studies, its potency has compared favorably to anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs except without the side effects.

 Multiple benefits in Cancer treatment:
Curcumin has the most evidence-based literature supporting its use against cancer of any nutrient which has a robust base. Interestingly, this is also included in the metabolite of curcumin and its derivatives, which are also anti-cancerous. Curcumin can modulate genetic activity and expression both by destroying cancer cells and by promoting healthy cell function. It also promotes antiangiogenesis, meaning it helps prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth. As for its effect on molecular pathways, curcumin can affect more than 100 of them once it gets into the cell. More specifically, curcumin has been found to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor, help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body, decrease inflammation, and inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation.

 Benefits against depression:
Curcumin has shown some promise in treating depression. In a controlled trial, 60 patients were randomized into three groups. One group took Prozac, another group took a gram of curcumin, and the third group took both Prozac and Curcumin. After six weeks, curcumin had led to improvements that were like Prozac. The group that took both Prozac and Curcumin fared best. According to this (small) study, curcumin is as effective as an antidepressant. Depression is also linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and a shrinking hippocampus, a brain area with a role in learning and memory. Curcumin boosts BDNF levels, potentially reversing some of these changes. There is also some evidence that curcumin can boost the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

 Promotes a healthy digestive system and liver function
Turmeric is highly valuable for the influence it exerts on the digestive system and the liver. It can be incorporated into foods, including rice and bean dishes, to improve digestion and reduce gas and bloating. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder. This improves the body’s ability to digest fats. Turmeric is recommended for chronic digestive weakness and/or congestion. It is beneficial for people who feel tired after consuming meals or who experience gas and bloating. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory to the mucous membranes, which coat the throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. Turmeric decreases congestion and inflammation from stagnant mucous membranes. People with the following conditions could benefit from regular use of turmeric: IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), colitis, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, and post-giardia or post salmonella conditions. It can also reduce the itching and inflammation that accompanies hemorrhoids and anal fissures. This herb would be useful to follow up antibiotic treatments, and it helps to improve the intestinal flora and acts as an antibacterial.

Another wonderful aspect of turmeric is its beneficial influence on the liver. Spring (and late winter) is an important time to consume herbs and foods that strengthen the liver. It is said to shrink engorged hepatic ducts, so it can be useful to treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice. Turmeric is an antispasmodic to smooth muscles, so it reduces digestive and menstrual cramping. For women who experience monthly menstrual cramps, consume turmeric extract or bitters twice daily for two weeks prior to expected menstruation. It should reduce the severity of cramps, if not alleviating them completely.

Supports natural weight loss
Studies have shown that turmeric increases the flow of bile in the stomach, which helps to breakdown fat. Taking just one teaspoon of turmeric before each meal can help your digestion breakdown the fat that can cause you to gain weight. In studies on mice, it was found that turmeric was an actual fat suppressant. Mice that were given turmeric gained less weight than mice on equal diets. Another way turmeric aids in weight loss is it helps fight insulin resistance and controls sugar levels. This not only keeps you from retaining extra fat but lowers your chances of developing diabetes. If you already have diabetes, it helps you control your glucose numbers.

Enhances outer beauty:
Curcuminoids support important blood and liver functions, healthy joints, and your overall well-being, which in turn helps promote radiant, supple skin. Turmeric has been ‘skin food’ for thousands of years in India and other cultures. Turmeric helps to cleanse your skin and maintain its elasticity, provide nourishment to your skin, and balance the effects of skin flora. So, turmeric can act as a one-two punch against normal aging with its skin promotion and antioxidant capabilities – outer beauty plus inner purity.

How to Get the Most Out of Curcumin

Although you may be able to find high quality turmeric powder at your local market, it’s very difficult to verify its purity and potency. Plus, it’s almost impossible to incorporate therapeutic amounts of curcumin into your diet daily as a spice. So, a high-quality curcumin supplement is your best bet. However, not all curcumin supplements are created equally. Unfortunately, most supplements out there don’t have the necessary doses and components to get the job done. If you take the wrong supplement, you’ll end up not only wasting money but missing out on an incredible opportunity to protect your brain and keep harmful inflammation at bay.

There are 2 major factors to consider when deciding on a curcumin supplement:

Standardization and Dose – Standardization is the process by which the active ingredients in a plant are concentrated and brought to a consistent level. The active ingredients of turmeric are called curcuminoids, and any good curcumin supplement should be standardized to contain at least 75% curcuminoids. Otherwise, what you’re getting could be little more than a pill filled with powdered turmeric root. Also, the minimum recommended daily dose is 1,000 mg per day.

Absorption – One problem with curcumin is that it’s not easily absorbed. However, it was discovered that an extract of black pepper, called piperine, significantly enhances absorption of curcumin. In fact, one study found that the addition of piperine increased bioavailability by 2,000%. So, make sure that any curcumin supplement you take contains this important extract.

Prof. Dr. Meenakshi Bhattacharjee is an internationally acclaimed algal biotechnologist, and plant scientist with over 36 years of distinguished academic, research, and teaching experience across India, Europe, and the United States.