Curcumin supplements could provide spatial memory support

The brain-enhancing benefits of curcumin – the bioactive ingredient in turmeric – have been well-documented by scientists around the world. Currently, researchers are investigating how this nutritional compound may potentially slow the development of Alzheimer's disease and even prevent its onset.  However, that isn't the only method by which curcumin can promote memory support.

In a new study conducted at Selçuk University in Turkey, scientists have revealed that curcumin supplements may be able to prevent the oxidative stress that leads to mental decline in older adults. In addition, this substance was also shown to enhance spatial memory in test subjects.

"Aging induced cognitive impairment has been well documented for many years and several antioxidant strategies have been developed against [it]," the study abstract states."Curcumin […] has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties [so we] hypothesized that curcumin would have an influence on cognitive functions."

Using an animal model, the researchers discovered that aged female rats that received curcumin supplements were better able to recall and navigate a maze than those that did not consume the memory enhancer. They also analyzed the biochemical effects in the animals to determine how curcumin affected general brain degeneration.

They discovered that animals that were given curcumin did not show the same levels of lipid peroxidation – or the breakdown of lipids in the brain. This, the scientists posited, could be responsible for the demonstrated improvement in cognitive ability.

Though curcumin has been a staple in certain regional diets for generations, we have yet to fully understand all of its nutritional capabilties. As well as providing nutrition for the mind, curcumin supplements have also been shown to mitigate pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and prevent the proliferation of various cancers.

Click here to read information about Nutrivene Longvida Curcumin.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 26th, 2013 at 1:46 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.