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Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Curcumin, Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
In one study, 40 people, aged 50 to 90 who complained of
mild memory loss, took 90 mg of an easily absorbable form of
curcumin twice per day, or a placebo. After 18 months, while
the placebo group had not changed, those taking curcumin
improved by 28 percent on memory tests, and mood
improved slightly.
In one of the most important findings for curcumin,
compared to the start of the study, scans of the brain areas that
control memory and emotion revealed fewer nerve-cell
impairments-known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles-both
of which are factors in Alzheimer's disease.
Reference: American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry; October,
2017, Published Online
In another study, led by Joshua Goldberg, PhD, (Cellular
Neurobiology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla,
CA) the molecular link between aging and dementia was
determined.
"Aging is a major driving force underlying dementia, such as
that caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the idea of
targeting aging as a therapeutic strategy is not new, it remains
unclear how closely aging and age-associated diseases are
coupled at the molecular level. Here, we discover a novel
molecular link between aging and dementia through the
identification of the molecular target for the AD drug
candidate J147. J147 was developed using a series of
phenotypic screening assays mimicking disease toxicities
associated with the aging brain. We have previously
demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of J147 in several
mouse models of AD.
Here, we identify the mitochondrial a-F1-ATP synthase
(ATP5A) as a target for J147. By targeting ATP synthase, J147
causes an increase in intracellular calcium leading to sustained
calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase b
(CAMKK2)-dependent activation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway,
a canonical longevity mechanism. Accordingly, modulation of
mitochondrial processes by J147 prevents age-associated drift
of the hippocampal transcriptome and plasma metabolome in
mice and extends lifespan in drosophila. Our results link aging
and age-associated dementia through ATP synthase, a
molecular drug target that can potentially be exploited for the
suppression of both. These findings demonstrate that novel
screens for new AD drug candidates identify compounds that
act on established aging pathways, suggesting an unexpectedly
close molecular relationship between the two."
As you may know, one of the main difficulties associated
with the therapeutic use of curcumin is limited bioavailability.
Various methods of overcoming this in curcumin supplements
have been used, such as phytosome technology, black pepper
extract, etc. The pharmaceutical industry resorted to
chemically modifying the curcumin molecule, and this resulted
in various derivatives, such as the J147 form used in this study.
This results in an orally active, neurotrophic molecule that
facilitates memory in normal rodents, and prevents the loss of
synaptic proteins and cognitive decline when administered
preventatively to 3-month-old APP/PSEN1DE9 Alzheimer
disease model mice for 7 months12 or given therapeutically to
3 20-month-old aged mice.13 Administration of this curcumin
derivative J147 augmented CNS levels of brain-derived
neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor, enhanced long-
term potentiation, preserved synaptic proteins, reduced
markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and reduced
amyloid plaques.
For the drug industry, this molecular enhancement is
necessary for marketing of curcumin as a drug. However, to
achieve that, the molecular target of the derivative needed to
be identified. Thus, the importance of Dr. Goldberg's research.
For us, the message we can take from all of this is that
curcumin seems to play a role as an anti-aging and anti-
dementia agent, in addition to its genereal anti-inflammatory
and anti-oxidant actions.
For those who want to look up the original research, the
reference is Goldberg J, Currais A, Prior M, Fischer W, Chiruta
C, Ratliff E, et al. The mitochondrial ATP synthase is a shared
drug target for aging and dementia. Aging Cell 2018 [Epub
ahead of print]; DOI: 10.1111/acel.12715
And, yes, if you were curious Dr. Joshua Goldberg, the lead
author of the Salk study, is my son. If you are a long-time
customer of Willner Chemists, you might remember many,
many years ago he was one of my two little boys doing
commercials on the Willner Window radio program!
A copy of the full research paper, and commentary, is posted
on the Willner website. Here is a direct link:
7_CombinedPapers.pdf.
R
esearch shows that Curcumin, a component of Turmeric, may play a role in preventing
memory loss and Alzheimer's disease, and that the mechanism may be associated with
its anti-aging activity.
In one study, 40 people, aged 50 to 90 who complained of mild memory
loss, took 90 mg of an easily absorbable form of curcumin twice per day, or
a placebo. After 18 months, while the placebo group had not changed,
those taking curcumin improved by 28 percent on memory tests, and
mood improved slightly.
For those of you looking for standardized,
bioavailable turmeric (curcumin) supplements, we
have the following available in the
Willner
Chemists Phyto-Tech™ line
:
Turmeric Root 1:1.5
Phyto-Tech Turmeric Root 1:1.5 is one
of the most potent anti-inflammatory
herbs. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
contains curcumin, a powerful
antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent.
1 fl oz - Product Code: 57016
60 Veggie Caps - Product Code: 60137
60 Liquid Veggie Caps - Product Code: 67451
Who might benefit from this herbal
supplement?
- Those who suffer from inflammatory conditions,
including joint pain, atherosclerosis, bursitis,
osteoarthrits;
- Those who suffer from auto-immune disorders, ranging
from rheumatoid arthritis to Crohn's disease;
- Those who suffer from ulcerative colitis, and
indigestion;
- Those who suffer from liver disorders.
- Those predisposed to dementia or showing early signs
of dementia
Phyto-Tech™ Turmeric Root 1:1.5
is one of the most
potent anti-inflammatory herbs. Turmeric (Curcuma
longa) contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and
antiinflammatory agent. It works by keeping naturally
occurring levels of cortisone at higher blood levels, thus
producing a systemic anti-inflammatory effect. This can
help conditions ranging from all auto-immune disorders
(MS, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, arthritis (osteo and
rheumatoid) to any condition where cortico-steroid drug
use is indicated. This includes Crohn's disease, colitis and
bursitis.
Ingredients:
-Phyto-Tech Turmeric Root 1:1.5 Liquid Fluidextract
contains Certified Organic Fresh Turmeric Root
(Curcuma longa), 667 mg per Serving, Alcohol Pure
Grain, Water Pure Deionized.
Now available as a regular (powder) vegetarian capsule
or a liquid filled vegetarlian capsule:
- Each fresh ground powdered Tumeric capsule contain
450 mg of Standardized (95% Curcumanoids) Turmeric
Root, along with 5 mg of Bioperine for enhanced
absorption.
- Each liquid filled veggi cap Tumeric capsule contains
Organic Turmeric Root, 400 mg, Tumeric Root Extract
(95% Curcuminoids, 95 mg), 100 mg, Turmeric Root
(CO2 Supericritical Extract, with 40% Turmerones, 20
mg), 50 mg, and Black Pepper Fruit Extract, 5 mg. Other
Ingredients: Soy Lecithin, Vegetable Cellulose, Medium
Chain Triglycerides, Chlorophyll.
Important Notice: The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health, and the proper use of dietary supplements. It is
not intended as a substitute for medical advice, nor a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you have a medical problem,
you should seek medical help. Products described herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate disease.
