Do you ever feel that your memory is not as good as it used to be? I hear this all the time. As we get older, sometimes we are confronted with moments that in the past were just a non-occurrence that remind us we are older and our brain does not perform as well as before. We are learning what goes on in the brain at the biochemical level with aging and with age related problems like dementia. With that understanding there is an opportunity to blunt that effect. Inflammation in the body and the brain is a contributing factor to cognitive decline. It is certainly not the only factor, but it is relevant. Anything we can do to reduce inflammation and the underlying causes may have a positive effect on memory.

Improve your memory with diet – by adding curcumin!
Curcumin is the main component of turmeric and has been used medicinally and in Indian cuisine. One of the biological effects is inflammation reduction. It also supports detoxification through its antioxidant properties.

Evidence for preventing cognitive decline and enhancing memory
I love this recent study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. It is a randomized placebo controlled trial where half the group age 51-84 non-demented adults were given curcumin and the other half placebo. In this study a more absorbable form of curcumin called theracumin was utilized at a dose of 90 mg twice per day. They performed cognitive tests as well as PET scan at baseline and at different intervals until 18 months. The group that received the curcumin performed significantly better in memory and attention. Also on PET scan, the group that received curcumin did not show any changes in the hippocampus (the memory center of the brain) and the placebo group showed significantly more evidence of “amyloid plaques”. We know that amyloid plaques accumulate and contribute to Alzheimer’s dementia.

In another study, also randomized placebo controlled showed that patients receiving 1500 mg of curcumin daily did not experience cognitive decline while those in the placebo did experience a decline at 6 and 12 months on cognitive testing.

Spice up your life, boost your memory
Curcumin is a cultural and acquired taste! It is a beautiful orange color, I recently decided to place a small container of it next to my stove to start adding a sprinkle here and there to my cooking. I enjoy making “golden milk” and will mix ¼ – ½ teaspoon with my unsweetened almond milk (warmed up on the stove) along with cinnamon and dash of honey. I often prescribe it as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. In patients who want to reduce the risk of cognitive decline with age there is a good amount of evidence it could be worth taking it in supplemental form.

For more information on aging with vitality, preventing cognitive decline, and improving memory visit, www.sparklehealthnh.com.

References:

1. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018;26 (3):266-277
2. Br J Nutr. 2016 Jun;115(12):2106-13