Growing research shows curcumin (found in the spice turmeric), and vitamin D may help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.  This is great news, since about 50% of people over 85 years old have Alzheimer’s. 

Californian researchers have found out that a portion of what’s in the spice turmeric, part of the ‘curcumin’ portion, actually helps the brain’s immune cells to break down the building ‘amyloid plaque’ so that it doesn’t keep building up in Alzheimer’s patients.  The same researchers found that, a form of vitamin D (that is activated in your liver and kidneys) has additional amyloid plaque degrading effects via the immune cells. 

Leading theories in the Causes of Alzheimer’s

-Imbalanced immune system, local to the brain

-Excess Insulin, and Excess Cortisol

-Imbalanced fat metabolism in the brain

-Excess free-radical brain damage

Novel Treatments For Those with or to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

-Oil-Dispersion Hydrotherapy

-Turmeric Extract

-Activated vitamin D

-Fish Oil

-Antioxidants

RESEARCH 

J Alzheimers Dis. 2009 Jul;17(3):703-17.

1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 interacts with curcuminoids to stimulate amyloid-beta clearance by macrophages of Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Masoumi A, Goldenson B, Ghirmai S, Avagyan H, Zaghi J, Abel K, Zheng X, Espinosa-Jeffrey A, Mahanian M, Liu PT, Hewison M, Mizwickie M, Cashman J, Fiala M.

J Neurosci. 2009 Jul 15;29(28):9078-89.

Beta-amyloid oligomers induce phosphorylation of tau and inactivation of insulin receptor substrate via c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling: suppression by omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin.

Ma QL, Yang F, Rosario ER, Ubeda OJ, Beech W, Gant DJ, Chen PP, Hudspeth B, Chen C, Zhao Y, Vinters HV, Frautschy SA, Cole GM.