Though these findings come from a test tube, the results are nonetheless pretty interesting: a study carried out at UCLA reveals that immune cells are much more active against the amyloid plaques thought to contribute to Alzheimer's disease when treated with curcumin, one of the many compounds in turmeric.This delicious rhizome in the ginger family has been conclusively shown to have anti-inflammatory power, and now this in-vitro research seems to hint at power beyond simple reduction of inflammation.
Amyloid plaques, which are tangles of protein thought to interfere with neuronal function in Alzheimer's disease, have a close link to inflammatory processes. Perhaps ongoing ingestion of turmeric in the diet can have a protective effect if initiated early on in life. I'd be interested in epidemiological reviews of the incidence of Alzheimer's in cultures who use a lot of curry (rich in turmeric) versus those who use none...