According to preliminary studies in mice, the compound curcumin, found in the curry spice turmeric, may halt the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Significant inhibition of the advance in MS, was the finding presented to the annual Experimental Biology 2002 conference, by Dr. Chandramohan Natarajan, lead researcher from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Interestingly, the doses of curcumin administered to the mice were roughly equivalent in human terms to those found in a typical Indian diet.

The 30-day study recorded that mice injected with curcumin showed little or no disease symptoms, while untreated animals went on to develop severe paralysis. During the study, 50-microgram and 100-microgram doses of curcumin, were administered three times per week, to a group of mice bred to develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The mice were then monitored for signs of MS-like neurological impairment. Mice who received the 50-microgram dose of curcumin showed only minor symptoms, such as a temporarily stiff tail, while mice given the 100-microgram dose appeared completely unaffected.

How Curry Prevents Multiple Sclerosis

Exactly how curcumin works to prevent the progression of multiple sclerosis remains unclear. But the Nashville researchers consider it may interrupt the production of IL-12, which plays a key role in signaling immune cells to attack the myelin sheath.

Curry affects Alzheimer's

The above study concerning multiple sclerosis corroborates other surveys that showed very low levels of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, in elderly Indian population groups. In addition, recent research conducted at the University of California, indicates that curcumin from Turmeric, an ingredient in curry, appeared to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice.