How Does Turmeric Work Against Alzheimer's Disease?

Question: How can alpha-linolenic acid help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows alpha-linolenic acid has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ^(iv.39, 57)
• ALA stimulates production of ACh neurotransmitter. ^(iv.57)
• ALA increases absorption of glucose by cells so mitochondria can make cell energy. ^(iv.57)
• ALA is a precursor to omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These are important components in brain cell phospholipids that play a role in signaling and energy production. ^(iv.64)
• Studies suggest omega-3 fatty acid intake may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's. ^(iv.64)
• ALA could slow down progression of Alzheimer's and loss of intellectual abilities. ^(iv.57)

Question: How can calebin-A, a protein in turmeric, help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research indicates calebin-A has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Calebin-A has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. ^(iv.4)
• Calebin-A protects neurons from free radical damage and cell death caused by amyloid-beta plaques. ^(iv.4)

Question: How can cinnamic acid help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Studies show cinnamic acid has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Cinnamic acid has anti-inflammatory properties. ^(iv.65)
• Research suggests cinnamic acid helps protect neurons from damage that could contribute to dementia. ^(iv.66)

Question: How can ferulic acid help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research indicates ferulic acid has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Ferulic acid prevents decreased ACh neurotransmitter levels in the brain. ^(iv.67)
• Ferulic acid also reduces inflammation in the brain. ^(iv.67)
• Ferulic acid may improve symptoms of impaired ability to think. ^(iv.67)
• Ferulic acid lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin secretion, and enhances absorption of glucose by cells. These activities could help prevent the Alzheimer's-promoting effects of diabetes and insulin resistance in the brain. ⁽⁶⁸⁾

Question: How can folic acid help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows folic acid has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Folate promotes mitochondria function and production of cell energy. ^(iv.57)
• High levels of homocysteine activate receptors on brain cells and helps create an overexcited, inflammatory environment. Folate helps prevent this by breaking down homocysteine. ^(iv.39, 68)
• Low levels of folate are associated with more severe brain cell loss. ^(iv.64)
• Folate protects memory, and folate deficiency can cause loss of memory and cognitive skills. ^(iv.57, 70)
• Folate helps delay onset of Alzheimer's if taken with vitamin B12. ^(iv.57)

Question: How can magnesium help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Studies indicate magnesium has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Magnesium blocks production of inflammatory proteins in brain. ^(iv.69)
• The antioxidant properties of magnesium quenches harmful free radicals. ^(iv.71)
• Magnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels. ^(iv.70)

Question: How can myricetin help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research suggests myricetin has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Myricetin has anti-inflammatory properties. ^(iv.72)
• Myricetin helps eliminate excess iron, which can be toxic to brain cells. ^(iv.30)
• Myricetin blocks formation of amyloid-beta protein clumps. ^{(iv.7, 73, 74)}
• Myricetin helps regulate glucose metabolism and blood sugar levels; counteracts insulin resistance. ^(iv.68, 75)

Question: How can niacin help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Studies show niacin has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Niacin is essential for cell energy production. ^(iv.39)
• Niacin helps reduce free radical oxidative stress. ^(iv.39)

Question: How can potassium help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows potassium has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Potassium helps regulate electrical and neurotransmitter (including ACh) activity in brain cells. ^(iv.76, 77)
• Potassium is involved in cell energy production. ^(iv.42)
• Potassium protects neuron brain cells from degeneration and death. ^(iv.76)

Question: How can quercetin help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research indicates quercetin has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Quercetin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection of mitochondria in cells. ^{(iv.32, 39, 60)}
• Quercetin gets rid of excess iron. ^(iv.39)
• Quercetin inhibits production of inflammatory cytokine proteins (such as TNF-α) and enzymes (such as COX-2) involved in Alzheimer's. ^(iv.39, 69)
• Quercetin could help prevent diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity—all of which can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. ^(iv.78)

Question: How can resveratrol help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows resveratrol has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Resveratrol activates SIRT1 longevity gene that protects against neurodegenerative disease and accumulation and clumping of amyloid-beta proteins. ^(iv.5)
• Resveratrol has antioxidant properties. ^(iv.5, 57)
• Resveratrol stimulates vitagenes and the body's natural heat shock response to protect brain cells from injury. ^(iv.57)
• Resveratrol inhibits inflammatory enzymes (such as COX-2) and over-activation of the brain's immune system cells. ^(iv.5, 79)
• Resveratrol boosts immune system efficiency and helps clear out amyloid-beta protein clumps. ^(iv.57)
• Resveratrol prevents death of neuron brain cells in hippocampus region of the brain. ^(iv.5, 57)
• Resveratrol helps prevent learning impairment. ^(iv.57)
• Resveratrol reduces insulin resistance and protects cells in pancreas that produce insulin. ^(iv.75)
• Resveratrol helps fight obesity by increasing metabolic rate, which could help prevent inflammatory conditions in brain. ^(iv.80)

Question: How can thiamine help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows thiamine has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• As an essential nutrient, thiamine supports mitochondria functioning and helps form cell energy. ^(iv.39, 42)
• Thiamine helps brain and nervous system cells absorb glucose. ^(iv.70)
• Thiamine deficiency causes symptoms of confusion and memory loss. ^(iv.70)

Question: How can turmerone compounds help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows turmerones have the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• When combined with curcumin compounds, turmerones block production of amyloid-beta proteins and protein aggregates. ^(iv.81)

Question: How can vanillic acid help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Studies suggest vanillic acid has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Vanillic acid scavenges for free radicals that can damage neuron brain cells. ^(iv.39)
• Vanillic acid gets rid of excess copper that can be toxic to cells. ^(iv.82)

Question: How can vitamin C help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research indicates vitamin C has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Vitamin C offers antioxidant protection. ^(iv.43)
• Vitamin C prevents damage to brain cells caused by toxic protein fragments. ^(iv.43)
• Vitamin C boosts immune system function. ^(iv.70)
• Vitamin C is needed for folic acid—a nutrient essential for learning and brain function—to work properly. ^(iv.70)

Question: How can vitamin E help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Studies show vitamin E has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Vitamin E has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. ^(iv.43)
• When combined with vitamin C, vitamin E could halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease. ^(iv.47)
• Vitamin E helps synthesize neurotransmitters such as ACh. ^(iv.57)

Question: How can xanthorrhizol help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Research shows xanthorrhizol has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Xanthorrhizol inhibits amyloid-beta proteins. ^(iv.81)
• Xanthorrhizol helps protects neurons. ^(iv.83)
• Xanthorrhizol has anti-inflammatory effects. It blocks production of inflammatory cytokines. ^(iv.83)

Question: How can zingiberene help fight Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: Studies suggest zingiberene has the following beneficial effects in the brain:

• Zingiberene blocks generation and aggregation of amyloid-beta proteins. ^(iv.81)
• Zingiberene helps regulate blood sugar and could help prevent formation of AGEs, which are harmful to brain cells. ^(iv.84)