Turmeric is one of the most researched herbs on the planet, showing more than 600 health benefits confirmed by experiments. Most of them are attributed to the active compound in turmeric, curcumin.
However, the whole turmeric has been shown to help with brain regeneration, and it’s not due to this popular active compound as you may think.
An Overlooked Benefit
The fat-soluble aromatic-turmerone is a turmeric component whose effects on neural stem cells have been studied by German researchers. They discovered that the number of neural stem cells raised by around 80 percent when exposed to aromatic turmerone, suggesting some healing effect happening. Rat experiment showed that ar-turmerone caused the formation of new brain cells in the hippocampus (where new neurons develop) and the subventricular zone. Another thing they noticed was the growth of both areas in size.
Aromatic-turmerone is a potent regenerative on its own, which can help neural stem cells in brain regeneration, and eventually help degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or stroke. Not only that it promotes stem cell proliferation, but ar-turmerone also differentiates stem cells into neurons- the biggest goal of regenerative medicine.
On the other hand, curcumin has been proven to enhance the overall memory of Alzheimer’s sufferers.
What Does This Mean?
Although the majority think that a curcumin extract is enough to gain the benefits of turmeric, using the whole herb provides a range of therapeutic compounds they would otherwise miss out on. For example, using the whole turmeric is recommended for polyps or colonic inflammation, since an extract will probably be absorbed in the small intestines before it succeeds to get to the part where it’s most needed- the large intestine.
Even though the aromatic-turmerone effects on the brain are relatively unknown, this study proves there’s a regenerative factor embedded within. Therefore, don’t hesitate to add a pinch to your dishes or smoothies in the future.
There is a number of healing plants out there, and it’s not accurate to think that all of their healing powers result from a single compound. Aromatic turmerone and curcumin have both been proven to provide incredible benefits to our mental and physical health, but, using turmeric as a whole will help you reap all of its benefits.
Via The Epoch Times | The Epoch Times | Life Enhancement | Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology | Bio Med Central | Bright
