03.09.11
Professor Ralph Martins, PhD, a recognized leader in Alzheimer’s research, has started a one-year clinical study at the Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care, Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia to determine the extent to which a bioavailable form of curcumin (BCM-95) may prevent or delay the expected declines of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Martins is credited, in collaboration with Australian and German scientists, with isolating beta amyloid protein, which forms the amyloid plaque deposits in the brain, a characteristic diagnostic feature of Alzheimer’s disease. Professor Martin then went on to demonstrate that the Alzheimer’s brain is under oxidative stress, which is now recognized to mediate the action of beta amyloid to cause Alzheimer’s. Dr. Martins is working to develop an early diagnostic blood test to effectively prevent and/or treat this degenerative brain disease.
Because of significant problems with curcumin absorption, clinical work with plain curcumin 95% has required very high dosing in previous studies. “I chose BCM-95 curcumin for this human study because it has published human bioavailability data. Therefore, I can use a reasonable amount and expect that the serum levels will achieve a therapeutic range for a significant period of time,” said Dr. Martins, who is the lead researcher in the study.
Curcumin studies in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease have demonstrated that it can play a significant role in the destruction of beta amyloid plaque. It is also a potent antioxidant, with an ORAC value of 159,277 per 100 grams, as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Other studies have shown that curcumin plays a role in neuronal regeneration. All these properties contribute to its potential utility in addressing Alzheimer’s disease. EuroPharma is the sole distributor of BCM-95 to health food retailers in the U.S.
Dr. Martins is credited, in collaboration with Australian and German scientists, with isolating beta amyloid protein, which forms the amyloid plaque deposits in the brain, a characteristic diagnostic feature of Alzheimer’s disease. Professor Martin then went on to demonstrate that the Alzheimer’s brain is under oxidative stress, which is now recognized to mediate the action of beta amyloid to cause Alzheimer’s. Dr. Martins is working to develop an early diagnostic blood test to effectively prevent and/or treat this degenerative brain disease.
Because of significant problems with curcumin absorption, clinical work with plain curcumin 95% has required very high dosing in previous studies. “I chose BCM-95 curcumin for this human study because it has published human bioavailability data. Therefore, I can use a reasonable amount and expect that the serum levels will achieve a therapeutic range for a significant period of time,” said Dr. Martins, who is the lead researcher in the study.
Curcumin studies in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease have demonstrated that it can play a significant role in the destruction of beta amyloid plaque. It is also a potent antioxidant, with an ORAC value of 159,277 per 100 grams, as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Other studies have shown that curcumin plays a role in neuronal regeneration. All these properties contribute to its potential utility in addressing Alzheimer’s disease. EuroPharma is the sole distributor of BCM-95 to health food retailers in the U.S.
