Do you find it difficult to remember things? I do. Recently, I have reached a stage in my life where I carry a memo pad with me to make notes lest I forget what I am supposed to do. Allow me to share with you some real life hilarious situations that I experienced recently. I know memory faileth me because:
* Lately, I have been absent-mindedly using the remote control for my gate when I reach my aunt's home and when the gate does not open :-), I wonder if my remote is faulty.
* On many occasions at shopping malls, I have to ask my son to remember where I parked my car.
* There have been times when I forgot to switch on the rice cooker and only realized when my munchkin cried "Mom, you forgot again!!!".
* Sometimes I miss an important junction and only realize much too late that I am going in the wrong direction.
* There have been many occasions when I forgot many other things/errands/appointments.
* I answered my German teacher in a garbled sentence filled with both German and French words!
* In fact, it has been quite difficult for me to memorize lyrics of songs!
Imagine my delight when my dear friend Angela sent me the following article "Curry, the new weapon in the war on Alzheimer's" by JENNY HOPE which first appeared in Daily Mail on4th June 2009.
I would love to hear from readers who eat curries everyday to see if indeed eating curries on a regular basis gives them such benefits. It is most unfortunate that I have gastric problems and am most wary of spicy dishes; otherwise, I might not be as forgetful as I am today. Still, this article is worth a read. Do leave a comment if you like. Thanks and have a great day!!!
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"Curry, the new weapon in the war on Alzheimer's" written by Jenny Hope
It probably won't be our main priority when deciding what takeaway to order.
But curries - so often criticised by advocates of healthy eating - may protect against Alzheimer's disease.
Eating a curry two or three times a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, an expert said yesterday.
According to Professor Murali Doraiswamy, the magic ingredient is curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric.
Curcumin prevents the spread of harmful amyloid plaques found in the brain of Alzheimer's sufferers, he said.
These plaques are thought to play a key role in symptoms such as memory loss and mental impairment.
Professor Doraiswamy, who grew up in the southern Indian city of Madras , which is famous for its fiery curries, said: 'There is very solid evidence that curcumin binds to plaques, and basic research on animals engineered to produce human amyloid plaques has shown benefits.
'Turmeric has been studied not just in Alzheimer's research but for a variety of conditions, such as cancer and arthritis.
Turmeric is often referred to as the spice of life in ancient Indian medical lore.' A trial is under way at the University of California , Los Angeles , to test curcumin's effects in Alzheimer's patients and specifically on amyloid plaque proteins.
Scientists say the spices in curry, including curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, can help memory
Similar research is about to start at Southampton University, although some British experts suggested that large amounts of curry would have to be eaten to counteract some of the brain changes that are characteristic of Alzheimer's.
Professor Doraiswamy, of the Department of Psychiatry, at Duke University Medical Centre, in Durham , North Carolina , said human studies will build on laboratory research.
He told delegates at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' annual meeting in Liverpool : 'You can modify a mouse so that at about 12 months its brain is riddled with plaques. If you feed the rodent a curcuminrich diet it dissolves these plaques.'
He added: 'Studies looking at populations show that people who eat a curry meal two or three times a week seem to have a lower risk for dementia.' Turmeric is also found in mustard and Professor Doraiswamy predicted a day when those unable, or unwilling, to eat curries might be advised to take a daily 'curry pill'.
Cat-from-Sydney Darling Aunty Paula,
1) You need ginko!
2) Do not eat fish head (esp the brain part)
3) If you have problems with curry, since it's actually curcumin/turmeric we're looking after, try masak lemak kuning, or the plain ikan goreng marinated with salt and turmeric.
4) Mama's grandma's concoction for post natal treatment: grate fresh turmeric, mix a bit of water, squeeze the juice out, add in a bit of garam jantan, DRINK!!!
5) Post natal jamu also contains turmeric but other herbs used in them may have high steroid contents.
pur....meow!