Adding
spicy foods to your diet may help your mental and physical health
Alzheimer's Disease - Natural Treatment With Spices
by Dr Keith
Scott
Alzheimer's
disease is a debilitating and ultimately lethal neurodegenerative
disorder that currently afflicts about 18 million people worldwide.
The incidence of the disease increases exponentially with age and,
with life expectancy rising in many parts of the world, global
prevalence is expected to double by 2025. Alzheimer's disease is
characterized by progressive intellectual deterioration; starting
with memory loss that is followed by intellectual impairment, poor
decision making, uncoordinated movements, speech impediments and
loss of recognition of familiar people and places. Although the
incidence of Alzheimer's disease is increasing rapidly in many
developing countries, on the Indian subcontinent it remains rare,
even among the high-risk age groups. Recent studies have associated
this reduced risk primarily with the high levels of consumption of
turmeric that, together with several other spices, has been shown to
have protective and possibly curative effects against the disease.
This discovery has led to intensive research into the potential use
of spices as natural treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
The causes of
Alzheimer's disease are not fully understood, but there are several
pathological processes that occur in those afflicted with this
illness. The most prominent of these is the deposition of an
abnormal protein, beta-amyloid, in the brains of Alzheimer's disease
sufferers. ß-amyloid is deposited in the form of plaques between the
neurons and also accumulates in the walls of small blood vessels in
the brain, where it impedes the flow of blood to brain tissues. The
aggregation inside the neurones of abnormal amounts of tau protein
filaments is another pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease. A
further process associated with this malady is atrophy (wasting) of
nerve tissue which leads to the loss of synapses and their
associated neurotransmitter chemicals from key areas of the brain.
In all cases, the precise causes of these pathological processes are
unclear but they, and certain other factors, appear to increase the
risk and aggravate the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Factors
implicated in Alzheimer's disease are: Metals like aluminum, copper
and zinc; oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Genetic factors
may also play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Confirming
epidemiological pointers that diet plays a key role in the low
incidence of Alzheimer's disease in India are several promising
laboratory studies of the phytochemical, curcumin. Found in large
quantities in turmeric, curcumin has been shown to inhibit the
deposition of ß-amyloid in the brain and, in some cases, actually
reverse this process. Studies have also shown that rosmarinic acid,
present in rosemary and several other spices as well as gingerol and
zingerone found in ginger (which also contains curcumin) have
similar protective effects. Although these are the most thoroughly
researched spices in respect of Alzheimer's disease, evidence is
accumulating that several others, including garlic, have similar
preventive effects against this disorder. Moreover, it is almost
certain that the list of spices shown to protect against Alzheimer's
disease will continue to grow.
If we look at
the known underlying factors that are thought to cause Alzheimer's
disease we can see the reasons why spices have the potential to
prevent and even alleviate this condition.
Chelation:
Several spices have chelating properties. Chelating agents are
substances that attach to toxins (such as heavy metals) and help the
body to excrete them. There is a strong possibility that the
chelating characteristics of some spices help to rid the body of
toxic metals like aluminium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc.
Coriander and turmeric are two of the most potent chelating spices.
Inflammation:
An inflammatory process is also likely to be an underlying cause of
Alzheimer's disease. Many spices contain high levels of
anti-inflammatory compounds like salicylates. Curcumin (found in
turmeric) is one of the most important anti-inflammatory
phytochemicals.
Antioxidants:
Spices are the richest source of antioxidants and, as oxidative
stress is one of the processes underlying this malady, one would
expect that they would be useful natural treatments for Alzheimers's
disease.
Alzheimer's
disease could affect any one of us and, as spices may be one the
only defenses we have against this debilitating illness, we should
eat more of these remarkable foods. The most important spices known
to help Alzheimer's disease are turmeric, garlic and rosemary.
About the
author: Dr Keith Scott is a medical doctor with a special interest
in nutrition and complementary therapies. He has written several
books including "Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices"
and "Natural Home Pharmacy". Find out why spices are the "Missing
Links" in nutrition at:
http://www.medspice.com
|
