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Tag Archive for: curcumin

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cognitive benefits of curcumin

Cognitive Benefits of Curcumin

November 8, 2023/in Nutrition/by Kaplan Center

The daily consumption of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can have significant benefits on cognitive health.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 88 million Americans over the age of 65 will be diagnosed with neurodegenerative disease by 2050. The progression of neurodegeneration has been associated with the imbalance between the level of antioxidants and the increased oxidative damage by free radicals to proteins, DNA, and lipids.

Curcumin is a chemical compound found in plants, with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and antioxidant properties. Research has seen an astounding success proving the benefits of curcumin as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, with over 7000 articles published in the last two decades. Its neuroprotective properties help prevent free radical damage and calms the inflammatory process at the root of many chronic diseases. Studies have shown it to be effective against many gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In fact, curcumin has long been suspected to be the reason behind the low rates of Alzheimer’s disease in India, where turmeric spice is widely and frequently used in curry meal preparation.

However, curcumin is unique in that it is not easily absorbed by the body on its own. In order to increase its bioavailability, it must be paired with other compounds, one such example is piperine, a compound found in black pepper.

But for those who don’t have a taste for this beautiful golden spice, supplementation can be key. Research on the supplement Theracurmin* a bioavailable (more easily absorbed by the body) form of curcumin, has shown it contains significantly higher plasma concentration of curcumin than other leading brands of supplements. Clinical studies have also shown it to have benefits in osteoarthritis, muscle fatigue after exercise, and clearing alcohol metabolites. There are on-going clinical trials investigating the effects of Theracurmin on other inflammatory diseases.

A 2019 study on curcumin, led by Dr. Gary Small, director of geriatric psychiatry at UCLA’s Longevity Center, was conducted over an 18 month period and included 40 adults that ranged in age from 51 to 84. Twenty-one randomly selected participants were given twice daily doses of Theracurmin, and the remaining 19 participants were given a placebo. Cognitive assessments were taken every 6 months and curcumin levels were measured at both the start and end of the study. In addition, 30 participants (15 placebo & 15 curcumin) underwent PET scans to measure levels of the proteins amyloid and tau in their brains both at the start of the study and after 18 months. These two proteins are targeted because of their association with neurodegenerative disorders; when accumulated in the brain, they are thought to contribute to the breakdown of neurons which can potentially lead to symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

At the end of the study, researchers concluded that the daily intake of Theracurmin resulted in “improved memory performance and attention in non-demented adults.” Based on the PET findings, the study further concluded that “behavioral and cognitive benefits are associated with decreases in plaque and tangle accumulation in brain regions modulating mood and memory.”

While this study was quite small, the results are indeed promising and warrant continued research. Supplementation with a bioavailable form of curcumin, like Theracurmin, shows tremendous potential as a preventative measure against age-related cognitive decline. Furthermore, the effect curcumin has on decreasing existing amyloid plaque and tau accumulation in the brain shows that it may play a significant role in delaying the onset of other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s dementia.

As research continues to reveal turmeric’s bounty of health benefits, including its ability to limit and possibly reverse the damage of inflammation in the brain, it is becoming more and more evident why it is widely referred to as a miracle spice!

Before taking any supplement consult with your physician to discuss any potential side effects.

*Theracurmin®HP  is available for purchase from the Kaplan Medical Center Store.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

References:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748117305110?via%3Dihub

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/dementias

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-56153-6_18

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36367124/

https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)46260-0/fulltext

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8833931/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835707/

https://www.alzheimersorganization.org/turmeric-curcumin-and-alzheimers

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720711/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9097512/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29326901

 

This article was originally published in Feb 2018. It was reviewed and updated in November 2023.

turmeric-health-benefits

3 Reasons to Include Turmeric In Your Diet

January 13, 2023/in Inflammation, Nutrition/by Gary Kaplan, DO

Native to southwest India, and known for its radiant golden color and unique taste, turmeric has been used as a culinary herb for thousands of years, and is found in abundance in many Indian dishes, especially curries. But it is its role as a healing herb that has caused scientists to take a closer look at this “miracle spice.”

The magic of turmeric resides in the roots, specifically in the chemical compound called curcumin. Curcumin is a polyphenol – a chemical compound found in plants with antioxidant properties, and myriad therapeutic attributes. A study in Advances in Experimental Medicines and Biology, went so far as to state that “Curcumin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illnesses.”

#1 – Defense against cognitive decline

A 2018 article in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease highlighted the protective effects of curcumin in the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The review particularly looked at curcumin’s effect against amyloid beta (Aß), a peptide that plays a central role in the pathology of AD.

  • Curcumin may help the macrophages – critical cells of the immune system – clear plaque deposits of Aß. Unlike a healthy brain, patients with Alzheimer’s Disease show an accumulation of amyloid plaques between nerve cells (neurons).
  • Curcumin has demonstrated that it has neuro-protective effect against Aß induced cell death of cortical neurons.
  • Curcumin has shown to inhibit the accumulation of Aß and promote its reduction.

Furthermore, curcumin has anti-proliferative actions on microglia. Microglia are immune cells of the central nervous system that become active in response to any number of stressors on the body. However, if the microglia have been stimulated to react too often, they become hyper-reactive, which can trigger system-wide inflammation that can be difficult to stop.

#2 – Defense against cancer

A 2019 review of research on the role of curcumin in cancer therapy, confirmed that “curcumin exhibits anticancer ability by targeting different cell signaling pathways including growth factors, cytokines, transcription factors, and genes modulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis,” all of which are associated with the progression of cancer.

  • Curcumin’s antioxidant properties help prevent the increase of free radicals. Antioxidants scavenge free radical. When free radicals are left unchecked, it results in oxidative stress which damages cells and plays a big role in the early stages of cancer.
  • Curcumin has shown an ability to inhibit nuclear factor kß (NF-kß). NF-kß is a proinflammatory molecule associated with cancer progression and inflammation.

According to another systematic review in 2020, curcumin shows both preventative and therapeutic effects on various types of cancers when used as an adjunct therapy in cancer treatment.

  • Curcumin’s low toxicity allows for widespread use, with no harmful side effects.
  • Curcumin can help improve quality of life by its ability to reduce side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

#3 – Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties also make it a strong candidate for treating inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis. A 2017 study in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation found that supplementation with a bioavailable form of curcumin “appeared to be effective in reducing the pain and enhancing muscular and balancing function” in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

How should you add curcumin to your diet?

  • Supplementation: Curcumin is not a major component of American diets, so supplementation could be considered. Unfortunately, because curcumin is not easily absorbed in the bloodstream, its bioavailability is diminished. Bioavailability can be increased, however, by partnering the extract with another compound to enhance its absorption. Piperine, a compound found in black pepper, is one such example. At the Kaplan Center, the curcumin supplement* we prescribe is micronized in colloidal particles and as a result, has significantly higher plasma concentration over other leading brands. Remember, supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so make sure to purchase your supplement from a trusted source. You should also speak to your physician before you begin taking any supplement to rule out any possible interactions with other medications.
  • Eat more curry! Eating more curried dishes that are rich in turmeric spice as well as black pepper regularly can be a good source of curcumin.
  • Enjoy a cup of turmeric milk: End your day with a cup of delicious Golden Turmeric Milk (see video below!). Curcumin is fat-soluble, therefore combining it with milk will help to make the curcumin more readily absorbed into the body.

Studies on curcumin and its efficacy in humans is ongoing, but the research looks quite promising. With very few side effects, powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties, and a long history of medicinal use, curcumin can play an important role in maintaining the body’s normal inflammatory response, while also supporting healing and relieving pain.

*Theracurmin® HP is available to purchase from the Kaplan Medical Center Store.

 

 

 

Dr. Kaplan’s article first appeared on U.S. News and World Reports on July 24, 2015. Updated in Jan 2023.

What I Know About Healing Chronic Pain From 37 Years Of Treating Patients

October 25, 2022/in Long Covid, Wellness/by Gary Kaplan, DO

There are over 50 million adults in the United States living with some form of chronic pain. The impact of chronic pain on people’s lives is enormous; unfortunately, despite modern medical advances we’re still not that great at treating it.

We may be unsuccessful in treating chronic pain because the way we’ve thought about where it comes from is all wrong. Research demonstrates that chronic pain is frequently a symptom of inflammation in the brain. Finding a cure requires that we identify and treat all the things that are causing the brain to remain in an inflamed state.

Here are seven things you need to do to effectively to deal with your chronic pain:

  1. Get a real diagnosis.

Chronic pain, in and of itself, is not a diagnosis. It’s a symptom of injury or illness, and even more specifically, it’s a symptom of inflammation. For example, over the course of 37 years of practicing family medicine and treating patients suffering from chronic pain, the worst case of acute shoulder pain I have ever seen was in a man who was having a heart attack.

I also have seen patients complain of chronic lower back pain, when their underlying problem was actually Crohn’s disease (an autoimmune disease that causes digestive problems).

Similarly, chronic migraine headaches may be a symptom of a food allergy. When this is the case, eliminating the offending foods can be a straightforward solution.

Today, we are seeing more and more people experiencing pain symptoms as a result of a previous COVID-19 infection. Long-COVID Syndrome symptoms often mimic the pain symptoms of fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and POTS.

Getting the right diagnosis requires a comprehensive history by a physician who can connect the dots. Frequently, what you think is the beginning of your pain problem is not its actually cause.

Bottom line: you must know what to treat if you have any hope of finding a cure.

  1. Get tested for sleep disorders and get enough rest.

If you’re getting seven or more hours of sleep per night, but you still feel exhausted all the time, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that means that while you’re sleeping you periodically stop breathing. During these intervals, your brain is deprived of oxygen, which causes inflammation of the neural tissue in the brain. Sleep apnea affects approximately 5% of Americans and it has been estimated that as many as 85% of people with this condition have not been diagnosed.

The inflammation caused by sleep apnea can cause or contribute to joint pain, migraine headaches, abdominal pain, and other chronic pain conditions. Ask your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Sleep well and you’ll find you have more energy and less pain.

  1. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet.

To eliminate the dietary causes of chronic pain, I usually recommend that patients limit their food intake to rice, fish, chicken, and fresh fruits and vegetables for a period of six weeks. While this food plan doesn’t eliminate every possible allergen, it does eliminate the major offenders, such as gluten, milk and milk products, refined sugar, processed foods, nuts and eggs.

When you eat, notice if certain foods cause you to experience an adverse reaction such as a stuffy nose, fatigue, headache, bloating, or gas. By eliminating the foods that create inflammation in your brain and body, you’ll find that your pain decreases and your physical energy and mental clarity increase.

  1. Meditate.

Studies show that regular meditation improves brain function and can help the brain recover from inflammatory damage. Regular meditation also has been shown to improve our ability to tolerate and recover from stress. Meditate for 20 to 30 minutes a day and see if you notice a difference.

  1. Make time for manual therapy.

Hands-on therapies such as Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic therapy can help relieve, and in some cases, completely resolve chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Whatever the pain’s origin — whether its disease, traumatic injury or overuse, or emotional stress — bodywork can help stimulate healthy blood flow into damaged muscles, tendons, and connective tissue, thereby relieving musculoskeletal pain and tension and stimulating the body’s own ability to heal itself.

In fact, manual therapy is so effective in unlocking the emotional stress and trauma stored in our bodies that I often also recommend working with a psychotherapist who can help you process these issues.

  1. Take nutritional supplements that are right for you.

There are supplements on the market that can help address generalized inflammation and joint pain. Supplements are also a great way to strengthen your immune system and help keep you healthy. However, before you start taking any new product, make sure you are buying from a trusted supplier; the U.S. Food & Drug Administration does not regulate the manufacture and marketing of supplements as they do with prescription medication.

Talk with your doctor about the medications and other supplements you are already taking before starting a new supplement because some products can cause drug interactions. 

  1. Practice gratitude.

Although this is sometimes a lot to ask of people whose lives have been devastated by chronic pain, the cultivation of gratitude for family and friends and the other gifts in our lives helps make us more trusting, altruistic, resilient, and just plain happier. It also allows us to live each day more fully.

I recommend keeping a gratitude diary and listing five things for which you are grateful each day. Other gratitude exercises include visualizing and writing about your future, best possible self; putting your gratitude into action by writing a thank-you note or visiting a person to whom you owe a debt of gratitude. Spending time each day contemplating the things for which you are grateful is likely to help reduce not only your stress level but also your experience of physical pain.

Good luck on your healing journey!

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

Essential Turmeric Oils: A Hopeful Treatment For Ulcerative Colitis

May 17, 2017/in Inflammation, Treatments/by Kaplan Center

The positive health effects of turmeric have been touted by age-old healers as well as modern science. Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent free radical damage and calm the inflammatory process at the root of many chronic diseases.

However, the use of turmeric in treating chronic illness on a grander scale has been limited due to its relative low bioavailability, or “the proportion of a drug or other substance that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect.”

Because of this limitation, research has primarily focused on ways to enhance absorption.

Past studies have shown that combining turmeric with other compounds, one such example being piperine (found in black pepper), can increase bioavailability, and there are supplements* now available formulated to allow maximum absorption.

Adding to this research, a new study authored by Dr. Ajay Goel, director of gastrointestinal research and translation genomics and oncology at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, and published in Nature: Scientific Reports, confirmed that combining curcumin with essential turmeric oils (ETO-curcumin) significantly enhanced anti-inflammatory efficacy in DSS-induced colitis animal models (dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) is frequently used to induce colitis in experimental animals).

Clinical applications

Possible clinical applications of curcumin currently include neurodegenerative diseases, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. There is also evidence that curcumin can kill certain types of cancer cells, as well as reduce the development of several forms of cancer in lab animals.

Dr. Goel’s research highlights the anti-inflammatory potential of turmeric and suggests it may also have a place in the treatment of large intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are autoimmune, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that can cause a lifetime of painful symptoms. It is estimated that nearly 3 million people in the United States are living with IBD. Conventional treatment typically involves medications such as antibiotics, immunomodulators, or corticosteroids, amongst other types. However, a growing population of patients are exploring natural healing options instead of – or in conjunction with – medications. Our experience with IBD has shown that with the right lifestyle changes and dietary modifications, including supplementation and nutritional support, many people will see an improvement of symptoms.

“The takeaway for patients who want to experience the health benefits of curcumin through a commercially available supplement is to look for products that include additional compounds of turmeric – specifically, essential turmeric oils,” says Dr. Goel.

Remember, supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so before purchasing or taking any commercial supplements, speak to your physician who can recommend trusted sources, and more importantly, rule out any possible interactions with other medications.

**Theracurmin® HP is available for purchase from the Kaplan Medical Center Store.

We are here for you, and we want to help.

Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2

 

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