Curry, Curcumin & Conversation: A Recipe for Optimizing Longevity
By Russ Hill, CFP®, AIFA®, Executive Chairman
Key Takeaways
Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has been studied for its potential role in supporting brain health and healthy aging.
Black pepper, fats, and heat can significantly improve the body’s ability to absorb curcumin from turmeric.
Research has explored curcumin’s potential benefits for memory, mood, cardiovascular health, and blood sugar management.
Healthy aging isn’t driven by a single ingredient. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and meaningful social connections all play an important role.
Why Scientists Became Interested in Curcumin
Let’s start with the payload.
If this sounds like the kind of sensationalist, clickbait, junk science that you have rightly learned to tune out, stay with me. The research is solid, the story is interesting, and the benefits don’t stop at Alzheimer’s prevention.
The story begins as an unsolved mystery. Scientists knew that curcumin – a naturally occurring antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective compound – had the potential to work wonders as a health supplement.
But for some reason, the human trials never quite worked out. Too unreliable and too underwhelming.
Another mystery – seemingly unrelated – was the fact that certain Asian communities had consistently lower than average rates of dementia.
How Curry Improves Curcumin Absorption
It turned out that the solution to both puzzles was the spice turmeric. Turmeric contains a high concentration of curcumin, and is ubiquitous in many Asian dishes (especially curry).
Curcumin in raw turmeric is not absorbed well by the body. But the black pepper, fats, and heat that are integral to the preparation of curry make it much easier for the body to process. Black pepper alone increases the ‘bioavailability’ of curcumin by up to 2,000%.
What Research Says About Curcumin and Brain Health
Using modified curcumin, new human trials showed rapid improvements in attention, short-term memory, and mental math skills in older adults. Continued use showed improvements in fatigue, mood, and long-term memory. Additional studies have shown lower cholesterol levels and better cardiac health. Participants with Type 2 Diabetes also saw improvements in blood sugar control.
And then of course, there’s Alzheimer’s prevention. Dementia is increasingly connected to insulin resistance. Some doctors even refer to it as Type 3 Diabetes.
Dementia, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Health. That’s three of the Four Horsemen, by my reckoning. Not at all bad.
Now, you can get pills that deliver curcumin in bioavailable form – Longvida, Theracurmin and Curserin to name a few. These were the ones used in the studies.
The Longevity Benefits Go Beyond Nutrition
But this is a blog about optimizing longevity, not optimizing curcumin intake. Sleep, exercise, and having a healthy social network remain the foundation.
My recommendation, therefore, would be to attend, or better yet, organize a regular Curry & Conversation evening with friends or acquaintances.
It’s a bit more of a performance than downing 2000mg of Longvida in the morning. For one thing, there’s the drink pairings to think about. Mango Lassi vs Light Beer? Or perhaps Turmeric Ginger Tea?
For those game enough to try, here are some helpful tips:
Include vegetarian and meat-based dishes. It makes you look thoughtful.
Offer both mild and spicy curry options. Spiciness is immaterial.
Use turmeric and black pepper generously. Obviously.
The conversation doesn’t need to be health-themed, although the subject does provide a good jumping-off point. Once the conversation starts flowing, you never know which domain you’ll end up in. (Although if someone starts pitching investments, I would urge you to call a taxi.)
In the next post, George Washington will educate us about Collagen. See you there.
Russ Hill is the Executive Chairman of Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors, LLC (“Halbert Hargrove”). This blog and his book have been authored by Mr. Hill in his individual capacity. This blog is provided for general and educational purposes only. Nothing in this blog or his book should be construed as investment advice. All opinions or views reflect the opinions and judgment of the author as of the publication date and are subject to change without notice. Nothing contained herein or his book should be construed as an offer to provide investment advice through Halbert Hargrove.