More Healing Reasons to Love Curcumin

Curcumin is a polyphenol found in the popular Indian spice turmeric. It does far more than stain the spice yellow; curcumin provides cardiovascular and neuroprotective benefits, and has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

Now, new research points to a lesser known benefit—curcumin as a fluoride fighter! There’s just no avoiding fluoride. It’s in our drinking water, nonstick pans, toothpastes…you name it! But we can avoid its associated dangers, namely its deleterious effects on the brain.

Curcumin and Brain Health

For over 5000 years, turmeric has been adding flavor to Indian cuisines while boosting brain health. Experts attribute the low rates of Alzheimer’s disease in older Indian adults (four times lower than Alzheimer’s rates in America!) to the population’s abundant intake of turmeric. One study showed that Alzheimer’s patients who supplemented with less than a gram of turmeric a day experienced “remarkable improvements” in symptoms.

These improvements are all due to the neuroprotective powers of curcumin, which has 150 evidence-based therapeutic applications. Over 200 peer-reviewed studies confirm that curcumin has some potent brain-saving potential.

Protect Against Fluoride with Curcumin

Pharmacognosy Magazine reports that curcumin may help guard against fluoride damage. Indian researchers divided mice into four groups. Each group received a different protocol for 30 consecutive days. Group 1 acted as the control group and received no fluoride. Group 2 received fluoride. Group 3 received fluoride, but also received curcumin to see if it counteracted any fluoride damage. Group 4 received no fluoride, but did receive curcumin.

Researchers studied the link between fluoride and curcumin by measuring levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain. High levels of MDA in the brain indicate oxidative damage! Group 3 (the fluoride-only group) had substantially high MDA versus the non-fluoride groups. As for curcumin’s effect on fluoride damage—results showed that Group 3 (fluoride + curcumin) experienced much lower MDA levels than those of the fluoride-only group, suggesting a nullifying effect.

Researchers explain:

“Our study thus demonstrates that daily single dose of 120 ppm F result in highly significant increases in the LPO [lipid peroxidation, i.e. brain rancidity] as well as neurodegenerative changes in neuron cell bodies of selected hippocampal regions. Supplementation with curcumin significantly reduce the toxic effect of F to near normal level by augmenting the antioxidant defense through its scavenging property and provide an evidence of having therapeutic role against oxidative stress mediated neurodegeneration.”

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Where Does Curcumin Get Its Powers From?

Curcumin is loaded with antioxidants that help to combat free radicals before they can cause oxidative damage to the brain and the body. It stands out because it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which not all polyphenols can do. Research suggests that curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier, breaks up plaque buildup in the brain, and stops injurious amyloids from developing in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Add some organic turmeric to any savory dish whenever you have the opportunity. It’s also wise to troubleshoot any underlying health issues with a daily dose of curcumin from a high quality curcumin supplement.