By Susan M. Callahan, Associate Editor and Featured Columnist
For decades, scientists studying the incidences of Alzheimer's around the world have noticed a puzzling fact. India has the lowest incidence of Alzheimer's in the world. In fact, several regions in India have the lowest incidences of Alzheimer's ever recorded.
Digging deeper, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Epidemiology in 2001 studied a large rural population of India over a 2-year period.
The India Paradox --Why Indians Do Not Develop Alzheimer's
Their results were startling. Indians were not developing Alzheimer's disease. Compared to an area of similar size and population in the United States, the India population was experiencing very few cases of Alzheimer's. In fact, Americans are 3 times more likely than Indians to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Subsequent studies in 2005 from the UCLA's Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Research Center, have identified the role of curry in preventing Alzheimer's disease. Curry is a mix of spices used in traditional Indian cooking. Curry's yellow color is caused by curcumin (also known as turmeric).
The UCLA research team, led by Dr. John Ringman, curry (curcumin) is a powerful anti-oxidant which reduces internal inflammation and brain neuron plaque, all preconditions to developing Alzheimer's. In fact, curry (curcumin) appears to directly bind to a special kind of plaque found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients called "amyloid plaque", interfering with its function and thereby protecting your brain.
The news gets better. Looking into the maximum levels of curry which are safe to consume, the researchers found that curry is well-tolerated by our bodies even at levels of 5000 milligrams. To study the ability of patients with Alzheimer's to tolerate high doses of curry (curcumin), the researchers gave patients either 2000 mg or 4000 mg in two daily doses for 24 weeks.
How Much Curry Should You Eat?
Several studies have established that, almost unique among foods and spices, curry appears not to be toxic or harmful, even at extraordinarily high levels. As I noted, studies have been conducted with levels as high as 5000 parts per million of curcumin daily without adverse effects. Interestingly, beneficial effects on the levels of brain plaque have also been observed in mice treated with low doses of curcumin, as low as 160 parts per million per day.
The only cautionary note is that at extremely high levels some individuals may experience gastric upset, especially if you are already prone to develop ulcers or if you have a sensitive stomach. Curry also should not be taken in excess by those who are already taking blood-thinning medications or other heart medications, without first consulting your doctor.
Other than that, using a generous amount of curry in soups and as a spice for chicken, spinach and other dishes is a good way to add a dose of protection against Alzheimer's to your diet.