Curry Herb may slow Parkinson’s disease

Research shows that the curry herb Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent with protective antioxidant activity. There is evidence that Turmeric helps shield the brain from the damage that accrues in Alzheimer’s diseased brains and from brain aging in general. In the new study researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine added Turmeric to brainy nerve tissue it protected 50% of the cells from dying whereas before the addition of Turmeric 81% of the brain cells were dying. The researchers theorize that this is at least partially due to Turmeric’s ability to work as an antioxidant and as an anti-inflammatory agent since both inflammation and free radical damage (this is what an antioxidant is the antidote to) are largely responsible for the damage seen in Parkinson’s disease. "These results suggest that Curcumin is a potential candidate for inhibiting the oxidative damage that leads to Parkinson's disease," says Wanli Smith, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Hopkins. "This common curry spice could be a weapon to protect the brain. Source; Johns Hopkins Medicine; " Program #48.7, Poster #W5; Washington Convention Center: Hall A-C
Sat., Nov. 15, 2008.