Dietary staple holds promise against Alzheimer's disease

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in curry spice, holds potential as a weapon in the fight against the disease, according to a new UCLA-Veterans Affairs study.

The study, involving genetically altered mice, suggests that curcumin, a dietary staple of India, where Alzheimer's disease rates are reportedly among the world's lowest, inhibits the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and also breaks up existing plaques.

Reporting in the online edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the research team also determined curcumin is more effective in inhibiting formation of the protein fragments than many other drugs being tested as Alzheimer's treatments.

Bonnie - While this is only a mouse study, there are hundreds of other studies touting the benefits of curcumin for myriad health issues.