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Studies concerning curcumin and alzheimers are currently ongoing. How it can be used to treat other conditions is being studied, as well. Here’s a look at what it is, why it may be effective and for what conditions. What is Curcumin? It is a compound found in the spice plant turmeric, a member of the ginger family of plants. It and two other curcuminoids are found in the rhizome of turmeric, which is one of many traditional medicinal plants used throughout Asia and India. It has a bright or deep orange color and has been used as a natural food coloring. What does it do? Scientific analysis has shown that it has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-arthritic, anti-ischemic, anti-amyloid and chelating activity. It is also effective against some viruses and may interfere with the replication of the HIV virus. It has protective benefits for the liver and heart. It has been shown to cause the death of cancer cells, without damaging healthy ones. It is primarily the anti-amyloid activity that is of interest for Alzheimer’s patients, although the other activities may be helpful, as well. Amyloids are misfolded protein molecules that become hard and insoluble. The plaques that are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients are composed of amyloids. In test tube and animal studies, curcumin has bee shown to break apart existing amyloid plaques and prevent new ones from forming. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine if it is beneficial for humans. What Other Studies are Ongoing? Currently, its benefit in numerous illnesses is being evaluated. One study concerns multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cells that can affect many of the organs of the body. It is considered incurable. The hope is to induce remission using chemotherapy or other treatments. The benefits of a variety of plants that have anti-cancer activity are being studied for this difficult to treat form. Studies concerning pancreatic cancer and colon cancer are ongoing, as well. One study concerns the value for treating psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease. One of the traditional uses of turmeric was to treat skin problems. It was applied directly to cuts and injuries. Psoriasis involves over-reactive immune system responses. Turmeric, and other natural anti-inflammatories, modulates those inflammatory responses. Is it a Miracle Drug? Although the medicinal activity of turmeric is high, it is not a miracle drug or magic pill. It is simply one of many plant compounds that have proven to be beneficial to human health. We have long been aware of the values of many vitamins and minerals to our health, but the value of micronutrients like curcumin are only now being studied. If you want to do as much as possible to protect your long-term health, the best choice is a multi-nutritional supplement that contains the basic vitamins and minerals, in their natural forms, along with a number of micronutrients and plant extracts. It may be several years before the studies concerning curcumin and alzheimers are concluded. But, supplements containing it are already available. Visit my website today to learn about a multi-nutritional supplement I've discovered that I'd like to share with you. Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of herbal, vitamin and mineral extracts. To discover which supplements Gordon recommends after far ranging and extensive research. Visit his website now at : http://www.your-supplement-resource-site.info
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