Alzheimer's Fighter in Your Spice Rack?
Alzheimer's Fighter in Your Spice Rack? Curcumin, the yellow pigment in the herb turmeric and a key ingredient in curry spice, may have benefits against Alzheimer's disease, a new study reports. The study showed that curcumin reduced the tendency of beta amyloid to form sticky clumps in the brains of mice that had been genetically altered to develop amyloid plaques like those found in Alzheimer's disease patients. Beta amyloid is the potentially toxic substance believed to cause the brain damage of Alzheimer's disease, and its tendency to form sticky clumps results in its toxic effects. Scientists are hopeful that the spice, or some form of medication derived from it, may have benefits for people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Researchers...