The roots of the turmeric plant, which belongs to the ginger family, are boiled, dried and ground into a deep yellow powder commonly used as a spice. The principle component of turmeric is curcumin, and it has a slightly bitter, earthy and peppery smell and flavor. An article in the August 2008 issue of "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics" reports that the neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and anti-clotting activities of curcumin may be beneficial for people at high risk for stroke. Strokes are caused by an impairment of blood delivery to the brain and risk factors include high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension and advanced age.
Neuroprotective
A review in a 2007 issue of "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology" says that in animal studies, curcumin protects against nerve damage by ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation and protein misfolding, which is associated with plaque formation in neurodegenerative diseases. The neuroprotective effects of curcumin are being evaluated in human clinical trials; however results have not yet been published.
Anti-inflammatory
Atherosclerosis is a thickening of arterial blood vessels that is often apparent in stroke patients. This disease results from cholesterol and fat build-up in blood vessels leading to a chronic inflammatory response and impairment of blood flow. An article in a 2009 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review" reports that numerous laboratory experiments conducted in cells and animal studies provide strong evidence that curcumin modulates several aspects of inflammatory processes. This review notes that results from small human clinical trials evaluating the benefits of curcumin treatment for certain inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis and irritable bowel syndrome demonstrate curcumin is effective in alleviating symptoms in some people.
Reduces Cholesterol
In animal studies and laboratory experiments conducted in cells, curcumin reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL, and circulating lipids. It also increased good cholesterol known as high density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL. One of the few studies that has been conducted in humans published in the October 2008 issue of "Acta Medica Indonesiana" reports that administration of low doses of curcumin slightly reduced total cholesterol levels in people with heart disease, but the effect was not significant.
Inhibits Blood Clotting
Compromised blood vessels or clot formation causes a decrease in blood flow to the brain leading to a stroke. The review in "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology" mentions that curcumin inhibits clot formation in laboratory experiments conducted in cells. The anti-coagulation activity of curcumin requires confirmation in human studies.
References
- "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology"; Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin; Greg M. Cole et al.; 2007
- "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics"; Potential Role of Curcumin in Stroke Prevention; Bruce Ovbiagele; August 2008
- "Acta Medica Indonesiana"; The Effect of Curcumin on Lipid Level in atients with Acute Coronary Syndrome; I. Alwi et al.; October 2008
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; Anti-inflammatory Properties of Curcumin, a Major Constituent of Curcuma longa: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Research; Julie S. Jurenka; 2009
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