According to recent estimates, Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple 2050, with no cure in sight.
New research reported in Stem Cell Research & Therapy reveals a new treatment may be on the horizon, however–and it’s found in your favorite curry.
Led by Dr. Adele Rueger, a researcher from the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in Julich, Germany, researchers say turmeric, a common spice used in curries, helps rebuild the brain, reversing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
“While several substances promote stem cell proliferation in the brain, fewer drugs additionally promote the differentiation of stem cells into neurons, which constitutes a major goal in regenerative medicine,” says Rueger. “Our findings take us one step closer to achieving this goal.”
Working in a lab, Rueger experimented with rats to see how a certain component found in turmeric, called aromatic turmerone, affected their brain cell regeneration, something that could potentially stop or reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, researchers studied a different component in turmeric called curcumin, reported to have anti-cancer effects.
Luckily, it led to some remarkable effects on the brain. For instance, rats exposed to aromatic turmerone had significantly more brain cells, leading to a boost in brain cell production by 80 percent. And rats who received oil injections containing this compound experienced growth in two brain regions often affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
These findings are crucial, considering that losing brain cells can often lead to Alzheimer’s, or make the disease worse.
“This early stage study highlights the effects of aromatic turmerone in rat brains but the findings are a long way from determining whether this compound could help fight diseases like Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Laura Phipps from Alzheimer’s Research UK. “It’s not clear whether the results of this research would translate to people or whether the ability to generate new brain cells in this way would benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
While research is still pending on its effects on human brain cells, they are hopeful: After all, rats and humans are physiologically similar. And if it can boost brain cell production in rats, it’s possible it could do so in humans as well–perhaps eradicating Alzheimer’s disease for good.
Still, it pays to be cautious.
“We need to see further studies and until then people shouldn’t take this as a sign to stock up on supplies of turmeric for the spice rack,” says Phipps.
What You Should Do
If you’re worried about your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, unfortunately researchers haven’t found if turmeric could indeed stop the disease from happening. Upping your intake of foods containing turmeric wouldn’t hurt though–after all, one of its other components, curcumin, also has anti-cancer properties.
Readers: Are curries a part of your diet?
Sources:
Spicy Diet Can Beat Dementia: Breakthrough in Fight to Cure Cruel Disease – Express.co.uk
Turmeric Helps Your Brain Heal Itself: Spice Up Your Brain Power with Curry – MedicalDaily.com
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