TURMERIC For Brain Health

BRAIN AND MOOD DISORDERS

Alzheimer’s
Disease Multiple sclerosis
Anxiety Neuropathic pain
Bipolar disorder
NeurosisChronic
Stress
Obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCD)
Creutzfeldt-Jacob (mad cow) disease
Parkinson’s disease
Depression
Schizophrenia
Encephalomyelitis
Spinal injury
Encephalopathy (diabetic and hepatic)
Stroke
Epilepsy Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

https://awakening369.org/2022/08/16/beneficial-compounds-of-turmeric/

Can turmeric help prevent or treat the symptoms of dementia, mood disorders, and damaged nerves? As in other areas of the body, a healthy brain and nervous system are closely regulated and biochemically balanced. In basic terms, neurological disorders and brain damage can occur when the brain cells are overexcited and can’t seem to recover homeostasis, or balance. ^(iv.1-26)

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and beneficial immune system activity can help maintain or bring that healthy balance back. Research suggests turmeric’s effects could help prevent and even treat a number of neurological conditions, including: ^(iv.1-26)

Too Much Excitement in the Brain Can Cause Damage

Similar to elsewhere in the body, toxins, microbes, and physical trauma normally initiate an immune system response. The brain also has its own unique immune system, primarily involving cells called microglia and astrocytes. When activated, these brain cells stimulate production of inflammatory proteins (e.g., cytokines and interferons). ^{(iv.1, 5, 27-29)}

If left unchecked, chronic activation of these immune cells makes them overexcited and is harmful to brain neurons. Damaged brain cells can lead to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s ) and psychological disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression). ^{(iv.1, 5, 27-29)}

How Are Overexcited Brain Cells Dangerous to Brain Health?

Too many overexcited brain cells cause chemical imbalances in the spaces between brain neuron cells. This creates a toxic environment of chronic inflammation and free radicals that: ^{(iv.1, 5, 27, 28, 30-33)}

Triggers the “master switch” for inflammation-the NF-κB family of transcription factors.
Continues to activate more brain immune system cells (astrocytes and microglia) that overproduce cytokines and Inflammatory enzymes.
Breaks down amino acids needed to make essential brain chemicals, and produces harmful metabolites.
Damages the cell’s power generating organelles (the mitochondria).
Decreases cell energy and natural antioxidant levels.
Generates even more free radicals.

The chronic inflammatory cycle leads to protein clumps, neuron-brain cell damage, and/or neuron cell death. In turn, neurotransmitter brain chemical levels produced by these cells (such as dopamine and serotonin) drop. Symptoms of brain injury, neurodegenerative disease (such as Alzheimer’sdisease), and/or mood disorders (such as depression) appear, which can include: ^{(iv.3, 4, 6, 10, 11)}

Impaired motor skills (e.g., movement)
Memory loss
Cognitive dysfunction

Learn more about how mitochondria makes the energy cells need to function at Mitochondria and Cell Energy and found out how the turmeric compound curcumin can protect these vital cell organelles.

Worse, the inflammatory, low-energy environment created by damaged and dysfunctional mitochondria makes immune system cells in the brain hypersensitive to chemical imbalances. This means that even normal brain chemical levels can activate otherwise inactive brain cells — creating more overexcited cells and toxic inflammation. ^{(iv.3, 4, 6, 10, 11)}