Curcumin and Alzheimer's

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Curcumin is an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement made from turmeric, a spice which has been used for centuries to flavor foods and to relieve pain and inflammation.^[1] Because animal studies have produced promising results, research is underway to determine if curcumin can help slow the progression of early Alzheimer's disease. Studies to date have shown that curcumin taken in controlled doses is safe.^[2]

Contents 1 Curcumin Facts 2 Curcumin and Alzheimer's 3 Curcumin Safety 4 What is Alzheimer's Disease? 5 References

Curcumin Facts

Curcumin and turmeric yields the familiar yellow color in curry powder and other spices and foods.^[3] Curcumin is not the same as the spice cumin, which is made from the seeds of a different plant. Laboratory animal studies have shown that curcumin, an antioxidant, has some anticancer effects. However, more research is required to determine effectiveness in preventing and treating human tumors.^[4] It may also be useful as part of a treatment program for arthritis as well as other inflammatory diseases, cystic fibrosis, and fibromyalgia.^{[1] [2]}

Curcumin and Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is an incurable disease that strikes primarily elderly persons, causing a loss of memory and eventually learned activities, even breathing. Alzheimer's is initially caused by a result of changes in the portion of the brain responsible for memory. Some clinical studies have shown that curcumin has potential therapeutic effect in treating Alzheimer's.^[5] Laboratory studies with rats showed that a derivative of curcumin had a therapeutic effect on the hippocampus, the brain portion where Alzheimer's begins.^{[6] [7]}

Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory agent. Some studies have shown that anti-inflammatory agents may reduce the level of a dangerous peptide in the brain that causes Alzheimer's signature plaque. More study is required to determine whether and how anti-inflammatory drugs are therapeutic in Alzheimer's.^[8]

Curcumin Safety

Turmeric and the derivative curcumin are designated GRAS, or Generally Regarded As Safe, by the FDA. Curcumin seems to be nontoxic and side effects are generally mild stomach distress. However, some evidence exists that curcumin is damaging to the liver, especially over a long period of time or in large doses, so patients with hepatic disease should not take this supplement. Researchers have not studied the safety of curcumin when taken by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with kidney disease.^[3]

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Also See: Vitamin Coupons, Vitamin B12 Side Effects, Drug Side Effects, Drug Coupons, FDA, Drugs and Pregnancy, Insulin and Alzheimer's

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/662.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/curcumin/index.html#alzheimer
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=f75979d3-9c7c-4b16-af56-3e122a3f19e3%20=99814&chunkiid=21874#P3
4. ↑ http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric
5. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21640982
6. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20538041
7. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18930076
8. ↑ http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/11_03/alzheimers.shtml