Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, degenerative disease and is characterized by the development of plaques and tangles in the brain resulting in progressive cognitive deterioration, declining activities of daily living and behavioral changes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), five percent of men and six percent of woman of above the age of 60 years are affected with Alzheimer's type dementia worldwide.
However, in India, the total prevalence of dementia per 1,000 people is 33.6 percent. The occurrence of Alzheimer’s among adults aged 70 to 79 years in India is 4.4 times less than that of similarly aged people in the United States. Recent research demonstrates that the Indian spice turmeric, used so commonly in food in that country, may be the reason why the rate is lower.
Curcumin (Curcuma longa - Haldi) is the source of the spice turmeric and is used in curries and other spicy dishes from India and parts of the Middle East. Similar to many other herbal remedies, people first used curcumin as a food and later found that it also had significant medicinal qualities. It has been used extensively in Ayurveda (Indian system of Medicine) for centuries as a pain relieving, anti-inflammatory agent to relieve pain and inflammation in the skin and muscles.
Some research found that curcumin may help clear the amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer's disease. Other studies documented curcumin as a powerful anti-inflammatory that may have a role in the cure of Alzheimer’s. Some research has found curcumin to be a robust antioxidant, which helps ease Alzheimer's symptoms caused by oxidation and inflammation.
Diane Darby Beach, MPH, Ed.D, director of education and outreach for Vista Gardens Memory Care Community, thinks there is value in using the spice turmeric and offers these tips on ways to incorporate the spice into meals and snacks:
• Add to egg salad to give it a bolder yellow color.
• Mix brown rice with raisins and cashews and season with turmeric, cumin and coriander.
• Delicious on healthy sautéed apples and healthy steamed cauliflower and/or green beans and onions.
• For a creamy, flavor-rich, low-calorie dip, try mixing turmeric and dried onion with a little omega-3-rich mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Serve with raw cauliflower, celery, sweet pepper, jicama and broccoli florets.
• As a great spice to complement recipes that feature lentils.
• Give salad dressings an orange-yellow hue by adding some turmeric powder to them.
• Cut cauliflower florets in half and healthy sauté with a generous spoonful of turmeric for five minutes. Remove from the heat and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
For more information, contact Vista Gardens Memory Care Community at: (760) 407-2956 or go online to www.VistaMemoryCare.com.