Turmeric for Parkinson’s – A Ray of Hope in Future Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
A progressively debilitating disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a growing problem in the U.S. Worse, treatment options have undesirable effects that leave many in an even worse situation. Addressing this challenge, researchers are looking at the neuroprotective properties of
Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric), stands out for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin also exhibits capabilities in scavenging free radicals, protecting mitochondria, and chelating iron.
These attributes position it as a potential therapeutic and nutraceutical agent in potentially slowing, halting, or even reversing the neurodegenerative process of PD.
Parkinson’s disease primarily affects the brain’s dopaminergic neurons, leading to a significant reduction in dopamine levels. This decrease in dopamine is responsible for the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors, rigidity, and movement difficulties.
The standard treatment for PD involves using levodopa or dopamine receptor agonists to replenish the depleted dopamine. However, these treatments often yield inconsistent results and, over time, can cause undesirable side effects like dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary muscle movements, as mentioned by the research review.
While curcumin holds promise for the future, the exact molecular and cellular mechanisms through which curcumin exerts its pharmacological effects in Parkinson’s disease are not yet fully understood.
Curcumin’s multifaceted neuroprotective activities may offer a ray of hope in the management of Parkinson’s disease. But for now, the exact molecular and cellular mechanisms through which curcumin exerts its pharmacological effects in Parkinson’s disease are not yet fully understood.
Other Research Showcasing Turmeric ‘s Potential in Combatting Parkinson’s Disease
This research shows how curcumin may combat Parkinson’s disease by disrupting proteins involved in the development of the disease. Basir Ahmad, an MSU postdoctoral researcher, previously led a team of researchers who demonstrated that ‘slow-wriggling’ proteins can cause clumping and aggregation – the first step in the development of diseases like Parkinson’s.
Now, Ahmad and his team have shown that curcumin is effective at preventing this clumping by “rescuing the protein from aggregation” and subsequently halting the development of Parkinson’s disease.
“Our research shows that curcumin can rescue proteins from aggregation, the first steps of many debilitating diseases…More specifically, curcumin binds strongly to alpha-synuclein and prevents aggregation at body temperatures” says Lisa Lapidus, MSU associate professor of physics and astronomy who co-authored the paper with Ahmad.
The Findings of a 12-Month Study
Known for its anti-amyloidogenic properties, curcumin’s effectiveness in PD treatment was evaluated in another study involving 33 individuals. Over 12 months, 19 people received curcumin supplementation, while 14 others were observed without this treatment.
One of the critical findings was that curcumin could cross the blood-brain barrier, as evidenced by detectable curcuminoid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of supplemented patients, albeit lower than those in plasma. Remarkably, these patients showed a decrease in COMPASS-31 and NMSS scores, indicating an improvement in both autonomic and nonmotor symptoms.
Ultimately, the findings suggest that curcumin not only reaches the brain but also has a tangible effect on clinical symptoms and biological markers of PD, such as slowing the accumulation of harmful proteins.
Another Review Highlights Curcumins Toxic Heavy Metal-Chelating Abilities
Curcumin’s ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and chelate toxic metals positions it as a potential neuroprotective agent. This review notes how its antioxidative properties are especially relevant in the context of PD, where oxidative stress plays a critical role in neuronal damage.
Given that neurons are terminal cells, reducing oxidative stress with antioxidants like curcumin could potentially prolong their lifespan and enhance the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments.
The findings suggest that curcumin could be a valuable adjunct to standard PD medications, potentially improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
All in all, while animal model studies have hinted at curcumin’s protective effects on dopaminergic neurons, its direct impact on PD progression in humans remains an area of active research.
Additional Sources
My Dad is in the late stages of Alzheimer's as well as Parkinson's. He is 73 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 13 years ago. His weight before March 21,2012 was 92 Lbs. We started mixing Turmeric in with his food 3 times a day March 21,2012 and within two weeks we noticed somewhat of an improvement, he was moving more as well as awake for longer periods of time. Before we started this he had to have pillow's around him for support in a wheel chair, he no longer needs those pillow's for support as he sit's up straight in the wheel chair now. His weight on May 11,2012 was 98 Lbs. There seem's to be changes almost daily since starting this as he now recognizes my Mom as his wife, tries to talk more,able to say some words clearly, able to walk with assistance on both side of him,sing's along with familiar songs and gets some of the words correct.
My mom was recently diagnosed in the second stage of Parkinson.
May i know how to prepare this tumeric? Is it to blend into powder & mix in drink?
This sounds exactly like my Dad now Derrell. He's in stage 5 of Parkinson's Disease and has Dementia. Medically proven or not, if you get results like this, when your desperate as we are, we'll try anything. Thanks for the info.
I believe that turmeric was used in addition to his medication. Also, who prescribed it three times a day. I just started to use it on a relative
Thank you!
Randi is a magician by trade – someone who does tricks like sleight-of-hand and other misleading amusements. He ISN'T a chemist or a naturopath, and has turned up in some of most disgusting and orchestrated demolition attempts on first rate medical research which helps patients rather than Big Pharma.
There are no double blind studies because turmeric is cheap and can't be patented. So there is no money available for research.I have experienced much relief from arthritis using curcumin from turmeric. I tried it because of the severe side effects that I experienced from drug based anti-inflammatories. I'm a nurse and I have recommended this to numerous others who have had good results. It has any other benefits as well.
I don’t need anything but the results to show me that it is working for me. The pain in my hips and other areas of my body are gone now and I am able to walk again without pain. I have been living with ongoing arthritis development for years now. The arthritis is still there, but the pain is not.
can you please let me know how you used to take turmeric. like water or with milk or with food ???