Enhance Memory with Daily Curcumin Supplement Intake

According to a study, daily consumption of an easily absorbed curcumin supplement improved memory performance. Consumption of this particular form of curcumin helped enhance memory in individuals suffering mild age-related memory loss.
Curcumin, found in turmeric from the root of Curcuma longa plant, gives Indian curry its vibrant golden-orange hue.

Research focused on how an easily absorbable curcumin supplement impacted memory performance among dementia-free individuals and the potential effect on microscopic tangles and plaques in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains.

Curcumin has been shown in laboratory research to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential explanations as to why elderly Indians tend to experience lower rates of Alzheimer’s and enjoy greater cognitive performance than other populations.

Curcumin may influence brain activity through its anti-inflammatory effects, which has been associated with both major depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

This placebo-controlled study included 40 individuals aged 50 to 90 with mild memory issues who were randomly allocated either 90 mg of curcumin or placebo twice daily for 18 months.

Standardized cognitive assessments were administered to each participant at the start and at regular 6-month intervals during this study, while curcumin blood levels were monitored from day one through to 18 months later. PET scans were also administered on 30 participants to measure tau and amyloid levels in their brains before starting the trial, as well as after 18 months had passed.

Curcumin-taking individuals experienced noticeable improvements in attention and memory capabilities, while placebo recipients did not. Curcumin users showed 28% improvements over 18 months on memory tests.

Individuals taking curcumin reported mild improvements in mood, as evidenced by brain PET scans which revealed significantly fewer tau and amyloid signals in their hypothalamus and amygdala than individuals taking placebos.

The hypothalamus and amygdala are parts of the brain responsible for some emotional and memory functions.

Turmeric and curcumin supplements may be difficult to absorb at sufficient levels; however, absorption can be increased significantly when combined with other ingredients, such as piperine from black pepper (which has been found to increase bioavailability by 2000%).

Vitamin D and curcumin may work together to clear amyloid plaques found in Alzheimer’s.
Researchers conducted another study and discovered that when combined, vitamin D and curcumin could stimulate the immune system to help clear amyloid beta from the brain – the substance responsible for Alzheimer’s plaques – more efficiently.

Vitamin D3 is an essential nutrient for immune and bone health and its production can be synthesized from sunlight through skin absorption. Vitamin D deficiency may occur during winter or in people living with Alzheimer’s who spend too much time indoors.

By collecting blood samples from 9 Alzheimer’s patients, 1 individual with mild cognitive impairment and 3 healthy control individuals, monocyte cells were isolated; once transformed into macrophages they serve as immune system’s cleaning crew consuming waste products such as amyloid beta. After being isolated these macrophages were incubated with synthetic or natural curcumin, vitamin D3 and amyloid beta.

Researchers discovered that naturally occurring curcumin was difficult to absorb and used effectively; its metabolism was rapid before being put to use; its potency level was subpar compared to synthetic curcuminoids; making natural curcumin less effective overall.

Researchers discovered that curcuminoids enhanced amyloid beta’s surface binding to macrophages, while vitamin D significantly stimulated uptake and absorption by most individuals’ macrophages.

Given their differing effects on immunity, curcumin and vitamin D may work more effectively when used individually or combined, depending on who it’s being taken by.