Melbourne: Researchers have said that turmeric could protect against a host of brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
Dr Michael Murray, co-author of the Textbook of Natural Medicine and one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine, said that various spices in Indian curries are used not only for their flavour, but also for their medicinal properties.
He said that since inflammation is a major factor in the development of most chronic degenerative diseases including cardiovascular disease, allergies, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory power holds great promise in all of these conditions and many more.
Murray said that the antioxidant activity of curcumin is superior to antioxidant nutrients like vitamin C and E, as they are effective against only water and fat-soluble pro-oxidants.
Curcumin also helps in preventing LDL cholesterol – one of the worst kind of cholesterol – from getting oxidised and damaging arteries. There is also evidence of curcumin slowing down ageing and preventing age-related diseases.