Curcumin found to prevent brain degenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
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(NaturalNews) Curcumin,
the bioactive
compound found in the
Indian curry spice
turmeric and commonly
referred to as
'holy powder', has been
used for centuries in folk
medicine to treat wounds,
infections, and other health problems. Today researchers are using the power of the evolving science
of epigenetics to reveal
how curcumin is
crucial in the fight against
many forms
of cancer, as it causes
metastatic cells
to undergo programmed cell death, or
apoptosis.
Researchers from Michigan State University, publishing the result of a
study in the Journal of Biological
Chemistry have found that this amazing
natural compound is able to prevent the
destructive formation of alpha-synuclein
proteins that are the hallmark
presentation in many neurodegenerative
disease such as Parkinson's and
Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin is one a
very select group of structures that is
able to cross the delicate blood-brain
barrier to affect biochemical and electrical activities in the brain.
The turmeric derivative has
demonstrated the unique capability to prevent clumping or
aggregation leading to disease
development.
Curcumin aids protein folding to preventbrain tangles and degenerationThe team lead researcher, Dr. Basir Ahmad and scientists
conducting the study commented
"Our research shows that curcumin can rescue proteins from
aggregation, the first steps of
many debilitating diseases... more specifically, curcumin binds
strongly to alpha-synuclein
and prevents aggregation at body temperatures."
The team used precise lasers to study the split-second formation of proteins known as 'protein
folding'. Normally, proteins are folded at lightning fast speed at
the direction of genes and DNA
sequences. Damage to DNA caused by poor diet and lifestyle
factors from epigenetic alterations
results in mis-folded proteins and neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers found that when curcumin attaches to alpha-synuclein it not only stops clumping,
but it also raises the protein's folding or reconfiguration rate.
By slowing the speed that the
proteins form, curcumin effectively inhibits abnormal protein
clumping to prevent tangles and
damage to the nerve synapses. Chemical and electrical
communications are retained that help
to help prevent the early manifestation of Parkinson's disease.
Curcumin can be added to the diet with liberal use of the Indian curry spice in meal preparation.
Many people do not enjoy the taste of curry infused foods.
For those individuals, nutrition
advisors recommend a standardized supplement (std. to 95%
total curcuminoids for maximum
bioavailability) providing 300 to 500 mg daily to prevent
neurodegenerative decline.
Sources for this article include: http://news.msu.edu http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243166.php http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-curcumin-parkinson- |
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Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035380_curcumin_degenerative_disease
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