The previous article reviewed traditional methods for preventing and treating dementia and found no ideal preventive measures.
Does this mean there are no options left?
Not quite.
There is a new, evidence-based, and relatively unknown preventive opportunity: high bioavailability curcumin, known as Theracurmin!
In fact, traditional forms of curcumin have been studied extensively for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and free-radical scavenging effects.
In Alzheimer's mouse models, curcumin has been shown to reduce β-amyloid proteins and plaques, with efficacy even at low doses (160 ppm, reducing by 43-50%).
A survey study in 2006 investigated the association between daily curry consumption among elderly individuals (n=1,010, aged 60-93) and cognitive function.
The study found that individuals who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" scored significantly higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) compared to those who consumed curry "never or rarely."
While this suggests that curry consumption might improve cognitive abilities, the study's reliance on surveys introduces potential biases and difficulties in quantifying curcumin intake, given that curry contains only 3% curcumin.
Subsequent studies on traditional curcumin revealed varied dosages from 1 to 4 grams per day.
Unfortunately, these studies failed to demonstrate significant effects, largely due to curcumin's poor aqueous solubility, very low bioavailability, instability at alkaline pH, and rapid metabolism.
To overcome these limitations, Japan introduced high bioavailability oral curcumin in 2011, utilizing colloidal nanoparticles.
In rats, this formulation exhibited over 40 times higher AUC (area under the blood concentration-time curve) compared to traditional curcumin, while in healthy human volunteers, it showed 27 times higher AUC.
Additionally, it exhibited inhibitory effects on alcohol intoxication and reduced blood acetaldehyde levels.
Because of its significantly improved bioavailability, researchers believe it can offer clinical benefits at lower doses.
Although high bioavailability oral curcumin emerged in 2011, its relevance to dementia-related research wasn't explored until 2018 when Professor Gary Small and his team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) published findings.
Their research demonstrated that Theracurmin from Japan had the highest blood concentrations among three different curcumin formulations, making it the most suitable option for their study.
Their subsequent 18-month randomized controlled trial involved 40 (selected from 259 volunteers) non-demented elderly individuals (aged 51-84).
Results showed that participants who took Theracurmin (90mg twice daily) experienced significant improvements in verbal memory, visual memory, and attention compared to the placebo group.
Furthermore, FDDNP-PET scans (detect Aβ plaques early) indicated stability in Theracurmin group while the placebo group showed increased binding, suggesting that high bioavailability curcumin effectively improves memory and attention in non-demented adults and may prevent Alzheimer's (plaque deposition).
To summarize, this study highlights several key points:
1. The first long-term (18 months) double-blind trial of a bioavailable form of curcumin for non-demented adults.
2. Daily Theracurmin intake significantly improved memory and attention.
3. Changes in FDDNP-PET scans post-treatment correlated with behavioral and cognitive improvements, possibly linked to reduced plaque and tangle accumulation in emotion regulation and memory brain regions.
4. The cognitive benefits of curcumin may stem from its anti-inflammatory and/or anti-amyloid brain effects.
Given the efficacy demonstrated in non-demented adults, what about research focusing on those already suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's?
Indeed, there is!
In 2021, Dokuz Eylül University in Turkey published a study on Theracurmin in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Among diagnosed Alzheimer's patients (n=52), those not taking Theracurmin (control group, n=33) showed declines in MMSE, MOCA, and instrumental ADL scores, while those in the Theracurmin treatment group (n=19) maintained stability.
In patients with mild cognitive impairment (n=41), the control group (n=24) showed declines in instrumental ADL scores, with three progressing to Alzheimer's. Conversely, the Theracurmin group (n=17) showed stable instrumental ADL scores, with only one progressing to AD.
Therefore, high bioavailability curcumin not only prevents Alzheimer's but also offers considerable protection for those with Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment.
In conclusion, Theracurmin's high bioavailability not only improves upon the poor absorption and rapid metabolism of traditional curcumin but also requires minimal dosage to be effective.
What’s even better is that it has proven effects in preventing dementia, but it does not have the disadvantages of side effects of drugs.
It can be taken with peace of mind just like ordinary health foods.
In addition to its role in preventing dementia, curcumin has various clinically proven benefits, which Dr. Huang will explore in the next article.
Stay tuned for insights into the clinical benefits of high bioavailability Theracurmin and traditional curcumin!
References:
Curry Consumption and Cognitive Function in the Elderly
Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Nov 1;164(9):898-906 (IF:5.363)
https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/164/9/898/87190?login=false
Recent developments in formulation design for improving oral bioavailability of curcumin: A review
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology Vol 60, Dec 2020 (IF:5.062)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S177322472031371X
舊型薑黃素研究：
Six-Month Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Pilot Clinical Trial of Curcumin in Patients With Alzheimer Disease
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2008 Feb;28(1):110-3 (IF:3.118)
Oral curcumin for Alzheimer's disease: tolerability and efficacy in a 24-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study
Alzheimers Res Ther 2012;4:43 (IF:8.831)
Curcumin and cognition: a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of community-dwelling older adults
Br J Nutr. 2016 Jun;115(12):2106-13 (IF:4.125)
Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population
J Psychopharmacol 2015; 29:642–651 (IF:4.1)
高生物利用率薑黃素：
Memory and Brain Amyloid and Tau Effects of a Bioavailable Form of Curcumin in Non-Demented Adults: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 18-Month Trial
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 Mar;26(3):266-277 (IF:7.996)
Theracurmin Supplementation May be a Therapeutic Option for Older Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A 6-Month Retrospective F/U Study
Curr Alzheimer Res. 2021;18(14):1087-1092 (IF:3.04)
Innovative Preparation of Curcumin for Improved Oral Bioavailability
Biol Pharm Bull 2011;34:660–665 (IF:2.0)
