Exciting research out of Japan is good news for all of us Baby Boomers!
The chief physician at Kariya Toyota General Hospital in Kariya City and his colleagues evaluated three separate case studies involving one of my favorite spices, turmeric and found this herb to have fabulous therapeutic value. In each case, turmeric was shown to relieve dementia symptoms and improve overall cognitive function.
In their report’s summary the authors state “In a study involving three patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, whose cognitive decline and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia were severe, exhibiting irritability, agitation, anxiety, and apathy, supplementation with turmeric powder capsules for over one year was found to be associated with improvement in symptoms,”
“Total score on the Neuro-Psychiatric Inventory-brief questionnaire decreased significantly in both acuity of symptoms and burden of caregivers after 12 weeks of treatment,” they added. “Score on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) went up five points (from 12/30 to 17/30) in one of the cases, and the other two cases were able to recognize their family within one year of treatment.”
I know this only with three people, but having watched my mom suffer with this disease, I understand the importance of ANY such findings. Turmeric is a great tasting spice and you only need a small amount to reap these benefits – less than a teaspoonful!
Earlier research published in the journal Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, which I have previously written about, corroborates these findings. “Due to various effects of curcumin, such as decreased Beta-amyloid plaques, delayed degradation of neurons, metal-chelation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and decreased microglia formation, the overall memory in patients with AD has improved.”
I have been adding turmeric to the brown rice I eat almost daily for quite some time now, as well as sprinkling it on chicken, fish, and hard boiled eggs. If it helps me keep Alzheimer’s from knocking on my door, Yipee!
Best of Health,
Kathi
