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Saturday, March 15, 2014

How Turmeric Can Save the Aging Brain From Dementia and Premature Death


March 14, 2014 | By | Reply

Flickr-turmeric-SteenbergsSayer Ji, GreenMedInfo
Waking Times

A promising new study published in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry titled, "Dietary Curcumin Ameliorates Aging-Related Cerebrovascular Dysfunction through the AMPK/Uncoupling Protein 2 Pathway,"[i] reveals the primary polyphenol in turmeric known as curcumin (which gives it its golden hue) may provide what the study authors describe as an "effective therapeutic strategy to reverse age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction."

Age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction is occurring on an epidemic scale in Western countries and include, "stroke, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases." Presently, very few if any conventional medical interventions are capable of providing effective solutions, and none have been found to reverse underlying pathologies in conditions whose trajectories are generally characterized as 'incurable.' All the more reason why the new study holds so much promise in providing an evidence-based natural solution that is safe, effective, affordable and easily accessible as a familiar food ingredient.

The study was conducted using a rat model. 24-month old male rodents were given dietary curcumin (.2%), with young control rodents 6-months of age.  After one month of curcumin treatment, the researchers observed a 'remarkable restoration' of the impaired cerebrovascular endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (i.e. the ability of the blood vessels to naturally relax) in the aging rats. They observed three distinct 'molecular' ameliorative effects:

  • Curcumin promoted eNOS and AMPK phosphylation: Increasing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability enables the inner lining of the blood vessels (endothelium) to fully dilate, reducing cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and associated damage to the arteries. Increased 5′-AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity is also associated with improved age-related endothelial function.
  • Curcumin upregulated mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2): UCP2 plays an important role in mitochondrial homeostasis and its optimal functionaing has been associated with increased lifespan.
  • Curcumin reduced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production: ROS reduction is associated with decreased oxidative stress and related cellular damage.

The authors summarized their findings as follows:

 "In summary, our findings provide the first evidence that chronic pharmacological AMPK/UCP2 pathway activation by curcumin treatment may be an effective therapeutic strategy to reverse age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction. Curcumin administration may represent a promising lifestyle intervention for preventing age-related cerebrovascular disturbances."

A Massive Body of Research On Curcumin's Brain Protective Properties

GreenMedInfo.com houses a database of 1597 abstracts from the National Library of Medicine on the health value of turmeric and/or curcumin in over 600 health conditions. View them all here: turmeric health benefits.  Of the 177 distinct beneficial physiological actions documented within this literature, 114 of them concern the spice's neuroprotective properties. View them here: neuroprotective properties of turmeric.

While this latest study, and most of the research on our turmeric database is preclinical, there are reports of turmeric causing significant improvements in cerebrovascular dysfunction diseases such as Alzheimer's. In a previous article titled, "Turmeric Produces 'Remarkable' Recovery in Alzheimer's Patients," we reported on the ability of turmeric to produce dramatic improvement in patients suffering from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

As we discussed in the article, other documented Anti-Alzheimer's disease mechanisms of turmeric include:

  • "Anti-inflammatory: Curcumin has been found to play a protective role against β-amyloid protein associated inflammation.[11]
  • Anti-oxidative: Curcumin may reduce damage via antioxidant properties.[12]
  • Anti-cytotoxic: Curcumin appears to protect against the cell-damaging effects of β-amyloid proteins.[13] [14]
  • Anti-amyloidogenic: Turmeric contains a variety of compounds (curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) which may strike to the root pathological cause of Alzheimer's disease by preventing β-amyloid protein formation.[15] [16] [17] [18]
  • Neurorestorative: Curcuminoids appear to rescue long-term potentiation (an indication of functional memory) impaired by amyloid peptide, and may reverse physiological damage by restoring distorted neurites and disrupting existing plaques. [19] [20]
  • Metal-chelating properties: Curcumin has a higher binding affinity for iron and copper rather than zinc, which may contribute to its protective effect in Alzheimer's disease, as iron-mediated damage may play a pathological role.[21] [22]

Turmeric, of course, is not the only natural substance that has been proven to have value in neurodegenerative conditions.  For those looking for additional research on food and spice-based natural alternatives that are evidence based, here are additional substances that may be of value:

  • Coconut Oil: This remarkable substance contains approximately 66% medium chain triglycerides by weight, and is capable of improving symptoms of cognitive decline in those suffering from dementia by increasing brain-boosing ketone bodies, and perhaps more remarkably,within only one dose, and within only two hours.[23]
  • Cocoa: A 2009 study found that cocoa procyanidins may protect against lipid peroxidation associated with neuronal cell death in a manner relevant to Alzheimer's disease.[24]
  • Sage: A 2003 study found that sage extract has therapeutic value in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.[25]
  • Folic acid: While most of the positive research on this B vitamin has been performed on the semi-synthetic version, which may have unintended, adverse health effects,  the ideal source for this B vitamin is foliage, i.e. green leafy vegetables, as only foods provide folate. Also, the entire B group of vitamins, especially including the homocysteine-modulating B6 and B12,[26] may have the most value in Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment.
  • Resveratrol: this compound is mainly found in the Western diet in grapes, wine, peanuts and chocolate. There are 16 articles on our website indicating it has anti-Alzheimer's properties.[27]
  • Gingko biloba: is one of the few herbs proven to be at least as effective as the pharmaceutical drug Aricept in treating and improving symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.[28] [29]
  • Melissa offinalis: this herb, also known as Lemon Balm, has been found to have therapeutic effect in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.[30]
  • Saffron: this herb compares favorably to the drug donepezil in the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.[31]

[i] Yunfei Pu, Hexuan Zhang, Peijian Wang, Yu Zhao, Qiang Li, Xing Wei, Yuanting Cui, Jing Sun, Qianhui Shang, Daoyan Liu, Zhiming Zhu. Dietary curcumin ameliorates aging-related cerebrovascular dysfunction through the AMPK/uncoupling protein 2 pathway. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2013 ;32(5):1167-77. Epub 2013 Nov 11. PMID: 24335167

About the Author

Sayer Ji is the founder of GreenMedInfo.com, an author, researcher, lecturer, and an advisory board member of the National Health Federation. Google Plus Profile. His writings have been published and referenced widely in print and online, including, Truthout, Mercola.com, New York Times online, The Journal of Gluten Sensitivity, New York Times  and The Well Being Journal.

He founded Greenmedinfo.com in 2008 in order to provide the world an open access, evidence-based resource supporting natural and integrative modalities. It is widely recognized as the most widely referenced health resource of its kind.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of WakingTimes or its staff.

Spiritual Traveler: Co-Creator & Servant

March 14, 2014 | By | Reply

Flickr-foundation-retiredinwasagaDr. Stewart Bitkoff, Contributor
Waking Times

The Sufi is absent from self and present with God.
~Hujwiri

For the spiritual traveler, one of the most intriguing spiritual practices, through the use of focused prayer, turns free will choice into submission to the higher. In some paths, submission to the higher is the goal and accompanying this level of service is greater responsibility.  In this transmutation, love is the catalyst. As the traveler loves, they are brought closer to their goal, becoming an extension of the divine.

Opposites Reconcile

Following a spiritual path, early on, travelers are taught that life is up to them: we come into the earth phase with a multitude of talents, free will, a destiny or life plan and a wondrous world to express the many aspects of self.

Similarly, spiritual travelers are taught that higher levels of spiritual expression are achieved through submission; turning personal intention over to that which is highest both in themselves and the universe.  Further in submission or giving up of self, which is not passive but active, the spiritual traveler finds completion and service. According to Hujwiri, the great master or Sufi exists as an extension of the higher will; with each breath and action taken for the Beloved.

At first glance, personal action based upon free will choice and submission to that which is highest appear opposed, and directly opposite to each other.  Yet for the spiritual traveler, there is a point at which these seemingly contradictory states merge; this coming together of personal will and submission to the higher is achieved through the alchemy of love.

Bending of Will

Because we are in love, we wish to do what our Beloved wants. This fire of love, or burning, described by the mystic alters the consciousness: turning personal need into submission or bending of will; by practicing this bending of will, like the willow in the wind, the traveler becomes a stage upon which the Divine enters.

As the willow bends to the wind

And the leaf curls to the rain,

O Lord, I surrender myself to You.

 SB

In spiritual submission, outcome is tied to intention: is the action taken for self or for something higher. For example, does one get-up in the morning: shower, shave, eat and dress for self or as a servant? Daily entering into the commerce of the world to make the world better, as a representative of the most high, or as a ‘player’ in the game of life- amassing as much personal wealth as possible?

As in any organization, or chain of command, individual action is delegated.  In order to be a good worker, parent, or servant we use all talents, including free will, to make the situation and world better. Spiritual travelers are not automatons that assume God wants this or that; they take action based upon an evaluation of what is happening in front of them and through personal intention, turn this action over to God, i.e., submit to the situation.

Serving Breakfast

From ordinary life, here is an example to illustrate the point at which free will bends, submitting to the situation, and love enters.

Let us assume that I am tired, but I need to get-up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for my children; that is my job as a parent. However, as a spiritual traveler, because I do not have time for my morning meditation- I must make breakfast- I wish to turn this duty of making breakfast into a prayer. Remember, I am tired with a poor attitude from staying-up late the night before and really wish that I didn’t have to do this ‘chore.’ Question: How do I get past personal friction and resistance, turning breakfast into a cheerful activity and spiritual practice?

Answer: By slowly repeating, feeling and embracing the Light in each word, a version of the prayer of submission: this practice turns breakfast into a prayer; a reverent opportunity to make the world a little better. “O Lord, help me prepare breakfast for my children with joy and gratitude, so, that they might grow and be healthy, fulfilling their role as your servant. In this duty, help me be cheerful and serve your will. O Lord, I surrender myself to You.”

Potentially, the energy of these words, in the form of a prayer of intention, alters my consciousness. A little happier, I serve breakfast to my children. By slowly repeating these words through the grace of the Path, a ‘chore’ turns into spiritual practice. For those moments, I have aligned my thought and action with the higher destiny.

Co-Creator

According to the Koran, each traveler can serve as God’s vicegerent or representative on earth. This is our birth right and higher destiny. Through repeating the prayer of submission, we can turn daily activity into a form of spiritual practice. Each traveler is born with many talents and free will choice; each is destined to rise higher and participate as co-creator in the Divine Plan. And because God Loves us; God has created a Way or Path for us to reach higher.  This is the path of submission; the path of love and service to humanity. We love, serve and help, because it is our higher nature and the nature of God.

God said, “I loved to be known, so I created creation.” This is reflected in the ones whom God loves. The qualities of loving, knowing, hearing, seeing, will, power, talking are all God’s gifts to humanity. But God’s greatest gift is love, the manifestation of His love of knowing Himself. Love is the primary sustenance for human beings. They cannot live without it, and mankind learned to love from God.

~ Sheikh Badruddin

About the Author

Dr. Stewart Bitkoff, spiritual traveler, poet, is a student of Sufi Mysticism and the perennial philosophy. Professionally specializing in the healing applications of therapeutic recreation, psychiatric rehabilitation and mental health treatment; he holds a doctorate in education and served on the faculties of multiple colleges and universities.

Stewart is also the author of Sufism for the Western Seekerpublished in 2011, was nominated by ‘Foreword Magazine’ for Adult Non Fiction Religious Book of Year Book of the Year Award, placing 4th (honorable mention) and is a must read, as well as The Ferryman’s Dream. Both books are also in Kindle format and available on Amazon.com or local bookstore.

Register for an upcoming retreat weekend with  Dr. Steward Bitkoff atop Bangor Mountain, in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, Kirkridge Retreat Center on Sufism & Enlightenment, May 30- June I, 2014. For information is available here: http://kirkridge.org/programs/upcoming-programs/ - click on Detailed Information for full program highlights.

For more information about the author, please visit www.stewartbitkoff.com, and if you are interested in learning more about universal mysticism and Sufism contact: drbitkoff@yahoo.com.

This article is offered under Creative Commons license. It’s okay to republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact.

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Your Garden will not green-grow
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