Curcumin Cuts Heart Disease, Mental Decline Risk

COLUMBUS, OhioCurcumin, a potent compound found in the Indian spice turmeric, lowered inflammatory markers associated with heart disease, inflammation and mental decline in a recent study from the Ohio State University (Nut J 2012 Sept 26;11:79 DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-11-79). Researchers led by Robert A. DiSilvestro  found a low dose (80 mg/d) of a curcumin-lipid preparation (as Longvida Optimized Curcumin from Verdure Sciences) conferred many benefits in healthy middle aged people.

Healthy adult males and post-menopausal females, aged 40 to 60 years, were  given either curcumin (N = 19) or placebo (N = 19) for four weeks.

Longvida Optimized Curcumin lowered triglyceride values as well as two non-lipid related measures relevant to cardiovascular health. One of these effects was an increase in plasma contents of nitric oxide, a molecule that can work against high blood pressure. The other cardiovascular-relevant effect was a lowering of plasma concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), a molecule linked to atherosclerosis.

Curcumin supplementation raised plasma myeloperoxidase concentrations, a part of both normal and inflammation-related white blood cell function.  Low myeloperoxidase levels are associated with lower immune function. This effect was not accompanied by a rise in plasma levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) nor ceruloplasmin values, both of which can be markers of inflammation.

Curcumin supplementation reduced plasma contents of beta-amyloid protein, a maker of brain aging, especially in relation to Alzheimers disease. 

In addition, curcumin supplementation, but not placebo, lowered salivary amylase activities, which can mark sympathetic nervous system stress . Curcumin raised salivary radical scavenging capacities and plasma antioxidant enzyme catalase, singling anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumin also reduced plasma alanine amino transferase activities, a liver injury marker .

A 2010 report found similar results, noting curcumin reduced oxidative damage and inflammation, reduced the accumulation of beta-amyloid and synaptic marker loss, and promoteed the clearance of beta-amyloid. And a 2006 study from the University of California Los Angeles found a curcumin complex extracted from turmeric helped the brain clear amyloid-beta plaque.