Turmeric Compound Boosts Regeneration of Brain Stem Cells, and More

Many spices have powerful medicinal properties, which is why they've been used to promote healing for thousands of years prior to the advent of patented synthetic drugs.

Some spices are clearly more useful than others, and one “star player” within Nature’s pharmacy is turmeric, a yellow-pigmented curry spice often used in Indian cuisine. Turmeric also has a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

Curcumin—one of its most well-studied bioactive ingredients—exhibits over 150 potentially therapeutic activities, including potent anti-cancer properties. Curcumin is also capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which is one reason why it holds promise as a neuroprotective agent in a wide range of neurological disorders.

Researchers have previously investigated curcumin for its potential role in improving Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke damage. It can also promote brain health in general, courtesy of its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

One of the ways it works, which is similar to vitamin D, is by modulating large numbers of your genes. But unlike vitamin D that influences thousands of genes, curcumin has been shown to influence about 700 genes.

Previous research1 has also demonstrated that curcumin acts by inserting itself into your cells' membranes where it changes the physical properties of the membrane itself, making it more orderly.

Yet another part of the answer for turmeric’s multifaceted benefits lies in the herb’s ability to affect signaling molecules.2 For example, curcumin has been shown to directly interact with:

Inflammatory molecules	Cell survival proteins	Histone
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) integrase and protease	DNA and RNA	Various carrier proteins and metal ions

Turmeric Compound Boosts Regeneration of Brain Stem Cells

Recent animal research3, 4 suggests another bioactive compound in turmeric called aromatic-turmerone can increase neural stem cell growth in the brain by as much as 80 percent at certain concentrations. Neural stem cells differentiate into neurons and play an important role in self-repair.

The findings suggest aromatic-turmerone may help in the recovery of brain function in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and stroke—provided the effect also applies to humans. As reported by Time Magazine:5

“[T]he same research group found that rodent neural stem cells grew when they were bathed in a solution of aromatic-turmerone. The cells bathed in the turmeric compound also appeared to specialize into certain types of brain cells more rapidly.

‘It is interesting that it might be possible to boost the effectiveness of the stem cells with aromatic-turmerone,’ Maria Adele Rueger, a researcher on the team, told the BBC. 'And it is possible this in turn can help boost repair in the brain.'”

Previous research has also shown that curcumin may help inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta-amyloids in the brain of Alzheimer's patients, as well as break up existing plaques.

People with Alzheimer's tend to have higher levels of inflammation in their brains, and curcumin is perhaps most known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

The compound can inhibit both the activity and the inflammatory metabolic byproducts of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX) enzymes, as well as other enzymes and hormones that modulate inflammation.

Turmeric May Be One of the Most Useful Herbs on the Planet

The effects of turmeric are not limited to brain health. As noted in a previous GreenMedInfo6 article on this subject, turmeric has been “empirically demonstrated to positively modulate over 160 different physiological pathways.”

A study published in the Natural Product Reports7 in 2011 describes curcumin as being therapeutic for a wide range of diseases, including:

Lung and liver diseases	Neurological diseases	Metabolic diseases
Autoimmune disorders	Cardiovascular diseases	Inflammatory diseases

For example, curcumin has been shown to benefit those with osteoarthritis. Research8 published in 2011 found that patients who added 200 mg of curcumin a day to their treatment plan had reduced pain and increased mobility, whereas the control group, which received no curcumin, had no significant improvements.

A 2006 study9 also found that a turmeric extract composed of curcuminoids (plant-based nutrients that contain powerful antioxidant properties) blocked inflammatory pathways, effectively preventing the launch of a protein that triggers swelling and pain.

Studies now numbering in the hundreds have shown that curcumin and other bioactive compounds in the spice may be helpful for a wide array of health problems. For example, research has shown turmeric can:

Support healthy cholesterol levels	Prevent low-density lipoprotein oxidation	Inhibit platelet aggregation
Suppress thrombosis and myocardial infarction	Suppress symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes	Suppress symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Suppress symptoms of multiple sclerosis	Protect against radiation-induced damage and heavy metal toxicity	Inhibit HIV replication
Suppress tumor formation	Enhance wound healing	Protect against liver damage
Increase bile secretion	Protect against cataracts	Protect against pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis

Curcumin—A Potent Anti-Cancer Herb

Dr. William LaValley is one of the leading natural medicine cancer physicians. He has spent a considerable amount of time immersing himself in the science of curcumin, which has the most evidence-based literature10 supporting its use against cancer of any other nutrient. This includes vitamin D, which also has a robust base. Curcumin has been shown to be nontoxic and appears to be safe in the treatment of all cancers. Interestingly, it appears to be universally useful for just about every type of cancer, which is quite odd considering cancer consists of a wide variety of different molecular pathologies. You wouldn’t necessarily suspect that there would be one herb that would work for most of them.

As mentioned, curcumin has the ability to modulate genetic activity and expression, and in cancer, it can both destroy cancer cells and promote healthy cell function. It also promotes anti-angiogenesis, meaning it helps prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth, and affects more than 100 different molecular pathways once it gets into a cell.

As explained by Dr. LaValley, the curcumin molecule may cause either an increase in activity of a particular molecular target, or adecrease/inhibition of activity—either way, studies repeatedly show that the end result is a potent anti-cancer activity. This is why it appears to work for virtually all cancers. Furthermore, curcumin does not adversely affect healthy cells, suggesting it selectively targets cancer cells. Research has also shown that it works synergistically with certain chemotherapy drugs, enhancing the elimination of cancer cells.

How to Use Curcumin

For clinical results, it’s not enough to liberally add turmeric to your food. The turmeric root itself contains only about three percent curcumin concentration, and curcumin is poorly absorbed by your body to boot. Even in supplement form it’s unlikely to provide the results shown in various disease studies. Poor absorption is also the drawback that makes curcumin unsuitable for emergency treatment of stroke. When taken in its raw form, you’re only absorbing about one percent of the available curcumin.

It is easiest and far more convenient to find a high-quality turmeric extract that contains 100 percent certified organic ingredients, with at least 95 percent curcuminoids. The formula should be free of fillers, additives, and excipients (a substance added to the supplement as a processing or stability aid), and the manufacturer should use safe production practices at all stages: planting, cultivation, selective harvesting, and then producing and packaging the final product.

According to Dr. LaValley, typical anticancer doses are up to three grams of good bioavailable curcumin extract, three to four times daily. One work-around is to use raw curcumin powder and make a microemulsion by combining a tablespoon of the powder with 1-2 egg yolks and a teaspoon or two of melted coconut oil. Use a high speed hand blender to emulsify it. Just take precautions to avoid "yellow kitchen syndrome.” Curcumin is a very potent yellow pigment and can permanently discolor surfaces if you’re careless.

Another strategy that can help increase absorption is to put one tablespoon of the curcumin powder into a quart of boiling water. It must be boiling when you add the powder as it will not work as well if you first put it in room temperature water and then heat the water and curcumin. After boiling it for 10 minutes, you will have created a 12 percent solution that you can drink once cooled. It will have a woody taste. The curcumin will gradually fall out of solution, however. In about six hours, it will be down to a six percent solution, so it's best to drink the water within four hours. Dr. LaValley is also helping us beta test new curcumin preparations that will radically simplify this process.

Because it’s a fat-loving or lipophilic molecule, many newer preparations now include some sort of oil or fat, which improves its absorbability and bioavailability. Such preparations typically have seven to eight times higher absorption than the raw, unprocessed 95-percent-concentration of dry powder. There are also newer sustained release preparations, which Dr. LaValley prefers and recommends.

20 HEALTHY EATING TIPS

1) Eat when hungry – Try to eat you meals when you are hungry than following a set time. If you are following a set time ensure eating in strict moderation. 2) Maintain moderation – whether eating meals or snaking, it is imperative that you eat as much as is necessary. It is never advisable to eat till you ‘feel full’ at the end of every food / snack intake. 3) Indulge in healthy snacking – Avoid all refined carbohydrate rich snacks that are available in ready to eat packed form in stores. Cook up healthy, calorie friendly smart snacks in your kitchen instead. 4) Try protein snacks – Proteins rich foods are best when it comes to shed weight. Try protein snacks to aid stable and healthy weight loss. 5) Welcome protein packed meals – proteins create muscles which makes the body lean and strong. Ensure a healthy inclusion of lean proteins like chicken, eggs etc in all meals while being careful with the carbs. 6) Being careful with the carbs – Carbohydrates are very essential for processing proteins but the content should never exceed certain required limits. At the same time, it is necessary to eat carbs in its natural form than its refined version for best results. 7) Eat ample roughage – Roughage is responsible for maintaining a very healthy GI system while regulating sugar in the body. Eating roughage in required quantity essentially in its natural form can help in effective weight loss. 8) Go slow with sweets – While it is not necessary to eliminate sweets from your list altogether, indulging in the delights only once in a while is advisable. At the same time, it is better to indulge in homemade delicacies than the purchased options. 9) Control intake of dairy products – While dairy products are rich in protein, it causes massive weight gain when eaten unchecked. Always measure your portions before plating it up. 10) Exercise regularly – Ensure putting in 20 minutes 5 days a week for exercising. Include a good dose of cardio workout for best results. 11) Exercise before meals – Ensure exercising at least 40 minutes to an hour before meals. This will boost metabolism and burn down calories faster. 12) Maintain a healthy dose of Cardio workouts – Simple stretching and aerobics is never enough. Try kick boxing, swimming and other cardio workouts as well. 13) Don’t overeat after exercising – Try not to eat more than you usually do after workout. This leads to gaining weight than losing it. 14) Try to increase intensity with time – You have to increase intensity of your workout with time. This is to ensure that your body does not get used to the schedule and thus, stop shedding the pounds. 15) Stop the overkill – Try not to overdo your schedule. This may induce cravings for carbohydrates especially in the form of sweets. 16) Early to bed and early to rise – Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for controlling weight gain. Getting to bed in time and waking up early assists proper metabolism. 17) Avoid excessive alcohol – Alcohol intake on a regular basis causes weight gain. Try to limit the intake to once a week or only on occasions. 18) Quit smoking – Any time is a good time to quit smoking and any reason is a reason good enough to give this terrible habit a miss. Smoking restricts lung capacity and thus restricts oxygen content in blood which leaves very little energy for all burning actions. 19) Don’t oversleep – Sleep is important but oversleeping can slow down metabolism. Try to maintain 8 hours…no more and no less. 20) Avoid stress – Excessive stress causes the body to store fat. Try to laugh out loud with and engage in creative hobbies to de-stress. - See more at: http://myhealthlists.com/20-effective-tips-for-quick-weight-loss/#sthash.1QIQZcUL.dpuf

Debunking Myths: Straight Talk on Meal Frequency, Protein & Nighttime Carbs -

Can your body only take in 1 1/2 grams of protein per pound, and is this the magic number?

Here is the truth about protein—and actually this holds true for everything that has to do with bodybuilding—everyone is different! Some people may be able to gain on 1 1/2 grams of protein intake per pound of body weight, while others will need less, and yet others will need much more. In most cases, it is my belief that the body does function better at a higher level of protein—but because of the way the body breaks down proteins and how much protein is actually used by the body, more likely than not the body could stand a bit more than 1 1/2 grams per pound of body weight. Again, the key is making certain your body utilizes all the protein you give it during a meal so there isn’t excess in your system when it’s time for you to eat again. For instance, if you average 30 grams of protein per meal, if it takes about an hour and  a half for your body to make use of this, and if you eat every three hours, you may need to increase that amount a bit. Or if your system is slower and it takes you longer to utilize that amount, 30 grams may be right for you. It’s important to keep in mind that efficiency means everything.

Eating more than the amount of protein your body requires will not only cause your digestive process to slow down, but it will also hinder your muscle-building process because it will constantly try to play catch-up by ridding itself of the excess. The same goes for the fip side: If you don’t take in enough protein and your body functions at a higher rate, you’ll never gain the size you want as you will not feed the muscles enough— not just when you are training, but also during the post-training rest and recovery periods.

Chad, do I really need to eat every two to three hours to gain muscle? With my work schedule, there is no way that I can do this.

Let’s get real—most people in the tangible world don’t have the schedule or luxury to drop everything and eat a meal every two to three hours like a professional bodybuilder would. The truth is that your body does not need to be fed every two to three hours. The key to promoting muscle growth and reaching the valid gains you crave is making certain your body runs efficiently. This includes knowing how your system utilizes the food you take in and making sure your meals are spread out evenly throughout the day. How the body uses the nutrients you feed it is extremely important. You need to know if, in two to three hours, you still have food from your prior meal sitting in your system, i.e., whether you still feel full. Are you extremely hungry? If you’re at work during the day, more than likely—unless you’re in the extreme-physique profession—you aren’t going to be hungry at that two- to three-hour point. In reality, unless you have a freaky metabolism, your body will not make use of everything in two or three hours. Eating too often can actually slow your gains because the body is never allowed to burn everything and “catch up” to itself, which can slow protein synthesis and actually hinder your progress.

Everyone says the last meal of the day can’t contain carbs. I’m on the second shift, am really hungry when I get home from work, and don’t know if I should eat carbs. Help!

It really depends on how you assimilate carbohydrates. If you eat more frequently throughout the day (six to seven meals)—it will take you longer to deplete your body’s glycogen level than a person eating only a few times a day (four to five meals daily)—24 hours on average. Therefore, you won’t need carbs at night and can withstand going through your sleep phase without carbs. However, if you take in fewer carbs during the day because you are take in fewer meals daily and your body runs much more efficiently that way, I recommend ingesting a moderate amount of carbs consistently throughout the day, including at the last meal of the day. Again, it just depends on what works best for you.

- See more at: http://www.flexonline.com/nutrition/debunking-myths-straight-talk-meal-frequency-protein-nighttime-carbs#sthash.iXUibo5V.dpuf