Curcumin for cognition in the golden years Original paper

Identifying strategies for preventing cognitive decline associated with aging is becoming increasingly important as people live longer and longer lives. Curcumin, a flavonoid from the spice turmeric, may improve cognition, memory, and mood.

This was a randomized controlled trial examining the effects of curcumin on cognitive function and wellbeing in healthy, older adults with no history of neurological conditions and no significant concurrent illnesses. For 12 weeks, 79 participants (55–84 years old) were assigned to either a daily curcumin supplement (400 mg total; 80 mg of curcumin in a solid-lipid preparation) or placebo. Various cognitive function, mood, and blood tests were completed at baseline, and 4 and 12 weeks into the study.

Curcumin supplementation reduced some reports of fatigue and improved certain measures of working memory, possibly reflecting an increased capacity to learn. Fasting blood glucose levels were also higher in the curcumin group. Other measures of cognition and mood, including depression, alertness, and subjective performance rates, were not notably different between groups.

While the mechanism through which curcumin influences cognition is not fully understood, it is possible that the observed elevation in blood glucose levels enhances memory and learning by increasing the circulation of “fuel” in the brain. More research is needed to determine if these fluctuations in biomarkers are robust enough to support their role in mediating curcumin’s effects. After all, biomarkers are not always an accurate reflection of the body’s health, especially when they’re only measured a few times. Measuring biomarkers frequently and continually over an extended period of time would help determine their connections to health outcomes.