NMU 350 – Curcumin Blocks Steps in Alzheimer’s disease and Improves Memory in Older Subjects
Nutrition/Natural Medicine Update No 350
With Dr. James Meschino
Topic: Curcumin Blocks Steps in Alzheimer’s disease and Improves Memory in Older Subjects
Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2018)
Due to advances in health care delivery and education many more people are living longer and healthier. However, with advancing age comes the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, for which modern medicine has no highly effective treatments currently. Studies demonstrate that changes in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease can be detected at least twenty years prior to the onset of symptoms and many studies are underway to see how we can block these events from occurring. One of the promising preventive interventions is the daily use of a curcumin-containing supplement. Curcumin demonstrates anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which studies reveal, may be helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Animal studies have clearly shown that curcumin administration blocks steps in Alzheimer’s disease development and improves working memory in these animals. And a few preliminary human studies have also shown improved memory, cognition and mood in patients with early-stage dementias, when curcumin supplements have been used.
But the ground-breaking 2018 study, published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, demonstrated the degree to which curcumin can help prevent key steps in Alzheimer’s disease development. This was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of 40 older subjects (between 50 and 90 yrs old), who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. Half the group were administered low-dose, highly bioavailable curcumin (90 mg, twice daily), and the other half were given the placebo. Each participant underwent a battery of cognitive and other tests associated with dementia at the beginning and end of the study. They also underwent PET scan evaluation of the brain, which can show signs of Alzheimer’s disease approximately 20-years before the onset of any symptoms. The results showed that after 18 months subjects ingesting the curcumin supplement showed improved memory and recall ability compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the pre and post PET scans revealed that the curcumin group showed a decrease in key processes linked to Alzheimer’s disease (FDDNP binding), such as less beta-amyloid plaque development and fewer neurofibrillary tangles. This is ground-breaking news as no drugs are approved at this point that can exert these two highly important effects. This study is consistent with previous animal studies that also show that curcumin can block the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain – two hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease.
A special note is that curcumin’s absorption into the brain is greatly enhanced if taken with an essential fatty acid supplement containing both monounsaturated fats (omega-9) and omega-3 fats. So, taking a curcumin supplement with an essential oils supplement containing fish, flaxseed and borage seed oil would be helpful in this regard. Many people take a curcumin supplement to help reduce inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or because they have seen evidence that curcumin exhibits anti-cancer properties. But, as a daily preventive supplement, curcumin also exerts neuroprotective effects that are now shown to inhibit key steps in Alzheimer’s disease, as I am reporting on today. This is one more reason to consider taking a curcumin-containing supplement each day. I personally take a supplement each day, for prevention, that contains curcumin with three other effective natural anti-inflammatory agents (white willow extract, Boswellia and ginger). I take it concurrently with an essential oils supplement containing fish, flaxseed and borage seed oil, to enhance the bioavailability of the curcumin, in particular.
I have included the references for curcumin and Alzheimer’s/ dementia in the text below.
References:
Small G.W. et al. Memory and brain amyloid and tau effects of a bioavailable form of curcumin in non-demented adults: A double-blind, placebo-controlled 18-month trial. 2018,26(3): 266-277.
Yang F et al. Curcumin inhibits formation of amyloid beta oligomers and fibrils, binds plaques, and reduces amyloid in vivo. J Biol Chem. 2005,280(7): 5892-901 Curcumin inhibits formation of amyloid beta oligomers and fibrils, binds plaques, and reduces amyloid in vivo – PubMed
Cisneros Aguilera E. et al. Comparative pharmacokinetic of curcuminoids formulations with omega-3 fatty acid monoglyceride carrier: A randomized cross-over triple-blind study. J Nutrients. 2022, 14*24): 5347. Comparative Pharmacokinetic of Curcuminoids Formulations with an Omega-3 Fatty Acids Monoglyceride Carrier: A Randomized Cross-Over Triple-Blind Study – PMC
Eat Smart, Live Well, Look Great,
Dr. Meschino