Turmeric Is a Brain Health Miracle

Are you concerned about maintaining the health of your brain as you age? I wasn't concerned until I read that by age 65, sadly 1 in 8 Americans will suffer from severe cognitive decline, and by age 80, an astonishing 1 in 2 will at the Alzheimers prevention website.

Researchers have been working for years to develop an effective treatment. But one "miracle" drug after another has failed to live up to its promises, and it's becoming more and more apparent that pharmaceuticals are not the solution. Unfortunately, the medical establishment is so narrowly focused on finding an elusive "cure" that scientifically proven prevention strategies are often ignored.

There are a number of natural brain protectors out there, but did you know that one herb has shown more promise when it comes to supporting your neurological system than any other medical finding to date? It's a scientific fact that curcumin, an antioxidant compound found in the root of the turmeric plant, is one of the most powerful natural brain protecting substances.

The hallmark process associated with certain types of cognitive decline is the formation in the brain of abnormal protein structures. Normally when malformed proteins are formed with the brain, the immune system sends out cells known as macrophages, which engulf and destroy the proteins. If this ordinary function fails, defective proteins accumulate in the brain and cognitive decline can follow.

Curcumin works by encouraging the immune system to send macrophages to the brain in order to destroy these abnormal proteins, restoring proper brain function.

For more information on how healthy turmeric can be for you read how turmeric helps with killing Candida and cancer and another blog on 8 reasons to drink golden milk or to add turmeric to your curries, apple cider vinegar drink, smoothies or in supplement form.

Candida Can Cause Cancer, Turmeric Can Kill Both

New research supports the controversial theory that yeast (aka Candida) not only contributes to cancer by feeding cancer cells but can actually cause it. The study was published in Critical Reviews of Microbiology and states:
"There is currently increasing concern about the relation between microbial infections and cancer. More and more studies support the view that there is an association, above all, when the causal agents are bacteria or viruses. This review adds to this, summarizing evidence that the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans increases the risk of carcinogenesis and metastasis. Until recent years, Candida spp. had fundamentally been linked to cancerous processes as it is an opportunist pathogen that takes advantage of the immunosuppressed state of patients particularly due to chemotherapy. In contrast, the most recent findings demonstrate that C. albicans is capable of promoting cancer by several mechanisms, as described in the review: production of carcinogenic byproducts, triggering of inflammation, induction of Th17 response and molecular mimicry. We underline the need not only to control this type of infection during cancer treatment, especially given the major role of this yeast species in nosocomial infections, but also to find new therapeutic approaches to avoid the pro-tumor effect of this fungal species."

The three ways which Candida may contribute to cancer is:
1) Candida produces nitrosamines and acetaldehyde which can cause cancer.
2) Candida causes prolonged, unresolved inflammation which can promote cancer because inflammation damages tissue.
3) The immune system cells that respond to Candida also secrete proteins that increase tumor incidence and growth.



The new research not only substantiates the concept that yeast overgrowth can be a contributing cause of cancer but indirectly increases risk of cancer due to an increase of sugar and alcohol consumption which most people with Candida do because that's what Candida like to eat. This increase in sugar and alcohol consuption skyrockets your chances of cancer. Sugar has not only been found to feed cancer but contribute to the transformation of healthy cells into cancerous ones, read "Research Reveals How Sugar CAUSES Cancer."

Since sugar promotes yeast growth which means sugar is directly AND indirectly a carcinogenic it is really concerning that cancer treatment wards in hospitals give sugary foods and beverages to their patients in the waiting room. It was okay that my father eat Oreos to put weight back on during chemo. There is such a disconnect between nutrition and health when it comes to cancer in Western medicine I only hope in time that more studies like this one keep coming out so Western medicine is not so blind.

So what can we do about it? Well, a new study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology reveals that the primary polyphenol in turmeric, known as curcumin can not only help in killing Candida but also cancer. The study states:
"Curcumin is an up-and-coming drug of natural origin with multi-target properties, and it has exhibited efficient anticancer and antifungal activities alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy drugs and antifungal agents. The dual pharmacological activities of curcumin may make it a good candidate for the prevention and treatment of cancer and its cancer-related invasive fungal infection related complications. Further investigation is necessary to clarify curcumin's anticancer and antifungal mechanisms for better understanding."

Turmeric is a wonderful spice to start cooking with if you haven't already. If you do cook with it just cook more. I love grating the fresh root. A wonderful, organic turmeric that I like using comes from Wellblends. To read more about it, click here.

Drink Switchel!

When it comes to health food I'm always trying new things partly due to curiosity and partly for new suggestions for my patients. I just blogged about using warm water and lemon for constipation and adding apple cider vinegar if you know you have a candida health issue. Here's a twist on the apple cider vinegar drink. SWITCHEL!!! So, before you read any further, I'm warning you now that if you don't like ginger then no need to try this drink but if you like ginger like I do then definitely try this.

It is a mixture of grade A maple syrup, raw apple cider vinegar and fresh ginger root. It has that spicy hotness of the ginger and yet sweet with the maple syrup. The back label says it all: ginger is an awesome anti-inflammatory and bug killer. Whether you are fighting bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungus ginger will kill them all! Apple cider vinegar is rich in enzymes and helps balance blood pH. Maple syrup is not only sweet but has tons of minerals and antioxidants.

With only three ingredients mixed with water you may want to try to make it at home but first try the real Switchel. I found it at DF MAVENS, 37 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10003
But you can also find it at www.drinkswitchel.com
Drink up!!!