It has been proven to lower your chance of getting cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, but most people don’t realize how accessible it is. I’m referring to Curcumin–the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow color. Curcumin is a member of the ginger family and is used extensively in Asian and Indian cuisine to make curries, dhal, pilaf and chutney.
So how does it help ward off cancer and Alzheimer’s disease? In the 1990’s researchers discovered the risk of developing colon, breast, prostate and lung was 15 times lower in India than in America. Researchers also found Americans have four times the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as the people in India. They attribute those statistics in large part to Curcumin.
In the past decade there has been an explosion of interest in the benefits associated with Curcumin, with more than 800 studies done in the last four years alone. What researchers know so far is that Curcumin contains polyphenols and curcuminoids that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-amyloid properties. It interferes with tumor development, prevents oxidative damage to cells, and reduces brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Other health benefits associated with a diet rich in Curcumin include the reduction of inflammatory bowel disease, improvement of liver function, it’s even known to lower cholesterol and act as a pain reliever.
So how much Curcumin do you need to consume to reap the benefits? According to researchers, there are currently no recommendations but most studies used 1200mg of 95% standardized Curcumin. But, before you head out to the store to stock up on turmeric you should know that pregnant women and anyone with gallstones should avoid Curcumin because it increases bile production.
You can obtain the benefits of Curcumin by cooking with turmeric. Researchers found people who ate curry once a day had a 49% reduced risk of cognitive impairment, while those who ate curry at least three times a week had a 38% reduced risk of mental decline. Basically, the more you eat the better the results.