Newsbrief: Spice for Memory and Mood

Asian Spice May Boost Memory and Mood

Daily consumption of a supplemental form of curcumin, the substance that gives Indian curry its rich yellow color, improved memory and mood in people with mild age-related memory loss, according to the results of a study that appeared in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry on Jan. 19, 2018.

Researchers examined the effects of a 90-milligram curcumin supplement on memory performance in 40 study participants who had declining memory but did not have dementia. At the end of follow-up, participants who took the supplement experienced a 28 percent improvement in their memory and attention abilities, while the subjects who received placebo had no improvements.

Curcumin, a compound in the spice turmeric, has previously been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

If you’re thinking about taking a curcumin supplement, look for one that has met an independent reviewer’s criteria for potency and purity; ConsumerLab tests (ConsumerLab.com) revealed that some supplements contain up to 50 percent less curcumin as promised on the label, and some were contaminated with heavy metals and “filth” (insect fragments and animal hair). 

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