Can Curcumin Enhance My Brain Functions? Everything you need to know.
In an age where cognitive decline has become a pertinent concern, the global market for brain health supplements is skyrocketing. As a report from Grand View Research estimated, the global brain health supplements market size was valued at around USD 8.63 billion in 2022 and there’s no sign of a slowdown. Amidst the vast array of nootropics, omega-3s, and herbal extracts available to consumers, there’s one natural compound that’s making a noteworthy splash: curcumin. This superfood has gained a reputation as a highly versatile medical remedy, whether to treat arthritis, reduce inflammation, or boost brain power. If you want to know whether curcumin can improve your brain functions, then don’t leave – because here’s everything you need to know about it. Getting acquainted with curcumin So, what’s this buzz about curcumin? In a nutshell, curcumin is the radiant golden compound that finds its home in the heart of turmeric. Turmeric, as many of us recognize, is a spice that has been an integral part of our culinary tapestry for millennia, offering our dishes not just flavor, but a touch of sunshine. But the wonders of curcumin don’t just end in our kitchens. In fact, it also has been a cornerstone in traditional medicine systems. Especially in Ayurveda, an ancient holistic healing system from India, curcumin has been hailed for its potential healing properties. Its use ranges from being an anti-inflammatory medicine to potentially aiding digestion. As time ticked on, the world became more scientifically inclined, and curcumin found itself under the scrutinizing lens of modern research. What was once celebrated in age-old manuscripts and ancestral wisdom is now turning heads in state-of-the-art laboratories. Today’s scientists and researchers are keen to decode the mysteries of curcumin, making it not just a topic of interest in health forums but also a subject of rigorous academic studies. The journey of curcumin: from plate to brain When curcumin enters our system, it isn’t content with just pleasing our taste sensations. Instead, it embarks on a fascinating voyage within our body. As it meanders through our digestive system, it undergoes various metabolic processes, breaking down into different metabolites, which are then absorbed into our bloodstream. One of curcumin’s most captivating feats is its ability to act like a VIP guest in our body. While many compounds get stopped in their tracks, curcumin has a special pass. It can navigate through the body’s defenses and cross the blood-brain barrier—a protective shield designed to keep potentially harmful substances away from our delicate brain tissue. Upon entering the brain, curcumin doesn’t stand idly by. Instead, it’s actively networking, interacting directly with our brain cells. In fact, curcumin has been shown to enhance the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein pivotal to neuron growth and survival. However, this is just one of curcumin’s several impressive features with regard to brain-enhancing effects. Another widely discussed trait of curcumin is its ability to reduce inflammation in the human body. This can be super useful to ease joint pain and arthritis, but it’s also quite relevant to the brain side of things. For example, did you know that illnesses such as schizophrenia, autism, depression, and other mood disorders have been linked with inflammation of the brain? The same applies to Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, and other neurological diseases. And last but not least, curcumin is further known for its antioxidant properties too, which are key in reducing oxidative stress – a process that can damage brain cells and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, similar to inflammation. Let’s talk about studies Over the years, several scientific studies have explored the potential effects of curcumin on brain function. These studies have shed light on the promising benefits of this natural compound. One study conducted by the UCLA in 2018 investigated the effects of curcumin supplementation on memory and attention in older adults. The study found that participants who took curcumin supplements experienced improvements in memory and attention compared to those who took a placebo. Furthermore, research has also shown that curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. This ability allows curcumin to directly interact with brain cells and exert its beneficial effects. The researchers argue that improved memory is likely a result of the increased production of BDNF after curcumin consumption. As a result of this, curcumin appears to support the formation of new neural connections and enhance synaptic plasticity, ultimately leading to improved memory and cognitive performance. Another study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry in 2020 focused on curcumin’s potential effects on mood and depression. The researchers concluded that curcumin supplementation may help enhance mood and reduce symptoms of depression. These findings suggest that curcumin could be a valuable natural approach for managing mood disorders. Similar to Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which is a type of drug commonly used as anti-depressants, curcumin has been shown to increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine, the most important neurotransmitters when it comes to feeling happy. By targeting the underlying neurochemical imbalances associated with mood disorders, curcumin may offer a natural and promising approach to managing and alleviating depressive symptoms, without the severe side effects that potentially come with traditional SSRIs. Another interesting fact is that thanks to curcumin’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, it can significantly limit ongoing damage to brain cells and does prevent or reduce neurological disorders – ranging from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s disease. How to feed your brain with curcumin After soaking up all this information, you’re probably struggling to keep your finger from dipping into the turmeric jar. But hold off on that for a moment – it’s really not that simple. While curcumin gives turmeric its orange or golden color, it actually just makes up a small percentage of the turmeric root at roughly 3%. On top of that, food researchers have measured that curcumin has a quite low bioavailability, meaning that your body will struggle to properly absorb it into
