This spice has been used medicinally throughout history in China and India. Both its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are well known. The folks in India have used it for centuries as both a spice and food preservative. This spice which is a member of the ginger family is the well known spice with the deep-yellow color called turmeric from which curcumin is derived. Curcumin is a multitalented healthy spice because of its many “anti” properties that include antimicrobial, antitumoral, and anticoagulant to mention just a few. In India the seniors who live in the rural districts have the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease in the world which is of particular significance for senior health. Recent medical research in America showed in animal tests that those on diets with curcumin showed large reductions in amyloid and other markers for inflammation of the brain.
At the present time while drugs are being developed to combat Alzheimer’s disease seniors can chose to follow the example of the seniors in rural India and add turmeric to your foods. It will spice up your meals and you might find that you develop a taste for Indian curry and dishes prepared with turmeric. Alternately supplements are available with curcumin extracted from tumeric. The better supplements include bromelain or piperine to assist in absorption of curcumin.