Turmeric for Traumatic Brain Injuries? Salk Scientists Say Yes
We talk often on this blog about the connection between foods and brain health. One of the brain healthy ingredients we recommend working into your diet is turmeric, a bright orange spice that’s a component of many yellow curry powders. In rats, turmeric has been found to reduce amyloid plaques, one of the physical symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It’s also been shown to enhance memory in humans. Now scientists at the prestigious Salk Institute for Biological Studies are studying the possibility of using turmeric to treat traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and certain types of stroke. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has neuroprotective properties and which has shown promise at rehabilitating injured brains in early tests. You can read more about the study here.
For recipes with turmeric, check out related recipes from Thinkfood, like Curry Grilled Corn Soup or Curried Wheat Berry & Tomato Salad. We also have turmeric and curry recipes, like Curry Popcorn and Sweet and Sour Indian Chicken, in our additional set of 33 brain healthy recipes.
Possibly Related posts:
- Traumatic Brain Injury: It’s More Common, More Frightening, and More Preventable Than You Think
- This Holiday Season Only: Introducing The 360˚ Brain Health Kit
- Our Brain Awareness Session on Brain Foods with Karen Merzenich
- Saluting our Soldiers Series: Part 1 – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Posted: Neuroscience, Research studies
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January 20th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
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January 25th, 2011 at 7:14 am
How MUCH turmeric and how often?
January 25th, 2011 at 9:44 am
@Ernestine – the study is very preliminary and the particulars have not been released, so unfortunately it’s not clear how much and how often as of yet.
January 25th, 2011 at 11:25 am
The article mentions that this compound maintains critical nerve pathways and connections after TBI or stroke. Does it also restore these pathways and connections. That is, do you have to be in the acute phase of recovery, or will it work in the chronic or long term phase of recovery?
January 25th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@ Jack, again, the only information we have is what’s in the article – the study is not out so we don’t yet know the answers.
January 30th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Turmerichas a long-held reputation as an anti-inflammatory. If you go to http://www.medecine.asu.edu to the left of your screen are listed 2 videos, one about turmeric in treating stroke, the other about how much to take. Dr. Andrew Weil of this Univ. has been advocating turmeric for years. I am 79 years old and in the latter years I,like many elders, have had many inflamations, arthritis etc. Now that I am taking turmeric regularly, I have none. I take 500mg of a turmeric extract 2X/day. And in acute situation up to 8/day are recommended for my prep.
February 28th, 2011 at 2:51 am
Thanks for this information . Never knew that turmeric is good for brain health. Now I will start adding more of it to my dishes!!
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