Dementia is described as a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking abilities and social skills. Dementia is a serious decline in mental ability. It usually occurs in people who are above 65 .
Dementia is a disorder which worsens with time; it is not a part of normal aging.
The disorder starts and develops gradually; there is no definite point where it begins.
In dementia, acetylcholine level in the brain is low. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which helps with the learning, concentration, memory, and aid in controlling the functioning of many organs of the body.
Disorders that cause dementia are:
- Parkinson disease
- Huntington disease
- Neurosyphilis
- Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
Some conditions cause dementia. When these conditions are treated dementia can be. This is known as reversible dementia.
Conditions that cause reversible dementia are:
- Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
- Subdural hematoma
- Hypothyroidism
- Brain tumors that can be treated
- Prolonged use of drugs
- Syphilis
- Cryptococcosis
- Lyme disease
- Viral encephalis
Types of dementia include:
Alzheimer’s disease: About 50-60% of people suffering from dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. Total brain size of people suffering from this disease shrinks. Nerve cells number reduces and tangles within the cells are observed which occurs due to protein abnormalities .
Dementia with Lewy bodies: Microscopic deposits of a protein formed in the brain are known as Lewy bodies. Symptoms include hallucinations, trouble in concentrating and trouble to make, unusual sleeping habits and problems with movement.
Vascular dementia: Vascular dementia is usually because of major strokes in the brain. Symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the part of the brain which is affected by the stroke.
Mixed dementia: It is a type of dementia where two or three types occur simultaneously. For example, a person may be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia at the same time.
Parkinson disease: Parkinson disease is very similar to dementia with Lewy bodies in symptoms and also in the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain.
Huntington’s disease: It is a hereditary brain disorder. People with this disease have a problem with memory, judging, planning, organizing, thinking, and reasoning.
Symptoms of Dementia include:
- Memory loss
- Trouble in communicating
- Loss of interest
- Disorientation
- Changes with mood
- The problem in decision making and judging
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How Turmeric Benefits In Dementia
Turmeric and curcumin have neuroprotective properties that help prevent or halt dementia:
- Turmeric helps in reversing cerebrovascular dysfunction in dementia.
- Turmeric is useful in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, and toxicity which cause dementia.
- Turmeric is helpful in decreasing oxidative stress in the brain tissues.
- Turmeric increases in solubility of amyloid beta and tau proteins which pose a threat to the brain.
- Turmeric can serve as an anti-inflammatory agent by reducing the inflammation in the brain and can provide protection from further damage.
- Turmeric is helpful in preventing neurotoxicity .
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Best Ways To Take Turmeric For Dementia
Disclaimer – There is no particular prescribed dose of turmeric defined for dementia. Based on the studies and reader’s reports we have summarized various ways of taking turmeric which could benefit in this disorder.
The dosage depends on the formulation of the turmeric supplement and severity of the health condition. Here is the recommended dose:
Fresh Turmeric roots
Turmeric roots are a great addition to diet and if consumed regularly can benefit brain health.
Recommended intake: 1-3g or ½ inch long piece of root sliced or chopped. You can also juice it and take it with a pinch of black pepper. This can be a part of your fresh juices or taken individually. You can also make Golden Paste from fresh roots.
Further Read – Is fresh turmeric better then powder?
Turmeric powder
If you are including turmeric powder in cooking then 1 tsp daily is sufficient. Always opt for good quality organic turmeric powder (How to identify organic turmeric, Recommended Turmeric brands)
However, if you take turmeric powder straight with black pepper then it would be 1-2 g of turmeric powder with a pinch of black pepper.
In terms of a teaspoon that would be 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper powder twice a day
Start with a small dose and increase gradually. Avoid taking it on an empty stomach. You can also prepare DIY Turmeric Capsules.
Maximum dose: 1 tsp of turmeric powder with ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper thrice a day
Golden Paste
Golden Paste combines heat, black pepper, and healthy fats to increase the absorption of turmeric.
It is highly recommended to take this paste after/with meals and to avoid taking it close to other medications. (Read Does Turmeric cause acid reflux? Black pepper in GP: Does it cause drug interaction?) Here is the recipe.
You can also make Golden Paste from fresh roots.
Start with small doses such as 1/4-1/2 tsp and if you see no side effects then increase the dose by ¼ teaspoon every week. Continue till reaching a dose of 1-2 tsp 2-3 times a day (precisely 1 tsp 3 times a day).
This is the ideal dose of Golden Paste where you should experience relief. However, the ideal dose differs with every individual; some may need less some may need more.
Thinking of other ways to take Golden Paste read 10 ways to take Golden Paste
Maximum dosage: 1 table spoon 2-3 times a day only advised if you are comfortable taking it and not experiencing gastric side effects.
Turmeric tincture
The benefit of turmeric tincture in dementia is not ascertained by scientific literature. You may consult an herbalist about this.
Take 10-30 drops 2-3 times a day depending on the condition. It can be added to teas, juices or smoothies.
Maximum dosage: 20-30 drops 3 times a day
Turmeric tea
This is a good option for tea lovers and who want to skip the taste of turmeric paste. Here is the recipe for Turmeric Tea.
Recommended intake: 1-2 cups a day
Turmeric Milk
This is just perfect when it comes to combating pain naturally. You can find the recipe for Turmeric Milk here.
Recommended intake: 1-2 cups a day
Turmeric supplements
The recommended dosage for supplements is 300-400mg 2-3 times a day for a standardized 95% curcumin extract.
Avoid taking supplements on an empty stomach and close to the time of taking medicines. Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.
Precautions
Turmeric in diet is absolutely safe. Turmeric supplements should be taken with care. (Read Side effects of Turmeric)
If you are taking blood thinners, turmeric supplements should be avoided. Turmeric can be included in diet in small doses. If suffering from a bleeding disorder consult a doctor and herbalist or naturopath before taking turmeric.
Turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of pregnancy and lactation. Discontinue use of turmeric supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery.
Turmeric supplements should be avoided in case of gall bladder obstructions. (Should you take turmeric if you have gallstones?)
Turmeric may interact with certain medications like stomach acid-reducing drugs, diabetes medications, blood thinners. Avoid taking turmeric supplements at the same time as medicines.
If suffering from gout or kidney stones, limit intake of turmeric as a spice. (Read Does turmeric cause kidney stones? Is turmeric safe in gout?)
Consult a health practitioner before taking turmeric supplements.
If harrowed by turmeric stains here is how you can take care of them.
Conclusion
Dementia is described as a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking abilities and social skills.
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of turmeric make it effective in preventing dementia.
Research still has to confirm the efficacy of turmeric and curcumin in reversing dementia.