Down syndrome is an incurable birth defect that causes mental retardation and a host of physical disorders, including heart problems, thyroid problems, chronic constipation and sleep apnea. As of 2011, there are virtually no peer-reviewed, evidence-based studies on the use of turmeric with Down syndrome patients. Even alternative medicine practitioners agree that the evidence does not support a claim that turmeric might benefit cognitive disorders.
Causes
Human beings have 23 pairs of chromosomes. People with Down syndrome have a defect involving the 21st pair: instead of two chromosomes, they have three. This type of defect is called trisomy. When it occurs in the 21st chromosome, it is called trisomy-21. Trisomy-21 occurs more frequently in persons born to mothers who are over 35 years old.
Symptoms
Down syndrome produces a characteristic appearance. Down syndrome patients are shorter and heavier, with wider noses and slanting eyes. Some babies can be difficult to care for as they have problems nursing. Physical and intellectual development is slow, and speech problems are relatively common. Special education and occupational therapy may help patients obtain simple skills so that they can take care of themselves.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice used in Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking. While long recognized in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, it is only recently that western researchers have begun to explore possible uses of this spice in medicine. While in vitro studies show many possible medical applications, clinical applications look less promising because they are fraught with problems related to the body’s inability to absorb this substance.
Research
In vitro studies show that turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These lend themselves to the treatment of arthritis. Although clinical studies continue to be unpromising, studies such as the one appearing in the February 2011 issue of "Arthritis Research and Therapy" suggest that turmeric inhibits enzymatic pathways that cause inflammation. Identifying these targeted pathways helps explain the possible beneficial properties of turmeric.
References
- "Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin"; Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin via a Solid Lipid-Based Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System Using a Spray-Drying Technique; Y.D Yan, et al.; 2011
- PubMed Health: Down Syndrome
- Leesburg Plains Pharmacy: Down Syndrome
- "Biomaterials"; Encapsulation of Curcumin in Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels as injectable Drug Delivery Vehicles; A. Altunbas, et al., ; September 2011
- "Journal of Family Practice"; Clinical Inquiry. Does Turmeric Relieve Inflammatory Conditions?; B. White, et al.; March 2011
- "Arthritis Research and Therapy"; Molecular Targets of Natural Health Products in Arthritis; S. Khalifé, et al.; February 2011
- "Current Drug Targets"; The Targets of Curcumin; H. Zhou, et al.; March 2011
