Lately there has been much investigation into certain foods and their ability to prevent against disease and degeneration. Turmeric has been receiving increased attention for its diverse benefit. Turmeric, a yellow-orange root, was made popular for its use in Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine. The most active constituent of turmeric is curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It is because of these anti-inflammatory properties that researchers believe curcumin to aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Population studies reveal that elderly individuals in India have the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s in the world. Since Alzheimer’s originates as inflammation in the brain, researchers maintain that such low rates are due to the avid use of turmeric in the Indian diet. Furthermore, current research is supporting curcumin’s help in a variety of other physiological ailments, such as bacterial/viral infections, arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer.
As a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is gaining interest as a potential antidepressant. Studies have shown a correlation between major depression and inflammation, however it remains inconclusive whether inflammation is the contributor to or consequence of depression. Psychologist Adrian Lopresti conducted the first randomized controlled study of curcumin as a treatment for depression. Throughout the study, depressed individuals treated with curcumin showed a reduction in depression as well as anxiety, whereas their placebo counterparts showed no improvements or a worsening of symptoms. Lopresti says these early findings are important on three fronts: 1) depression is not solely due to an imbalance in serotonin, 2) depression is associated with increased inflammation, and 3) curcumin may help in the treatment of depression.