The Longevity Project » Studies

“Spicing up” of the immune system by curcumin

TLP — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:05:16 +0000

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is an orange-yellow component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice often found in curry powder. Traditionally known for its an antiinflammatory effects, curcumin has been shown in the last two decades to be a potent immunomodulatory agent that can modulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. Curcumin can also downregulate the expression of various proinflammatory cytokines including TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and chemokines, most likely through inactivation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Interestingly, however, curcumin at low doses can also enhance antibody responses. This suggests that curcumin’s reported beneficial effects in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system. Together, these findings warrant further consideration of curcumin as a therapy for immune disorders.

J Clin Immunol. 2007 Jan;27(1):19-35. Epub 2007 Jan 9.

Alcohol consumption and longevity

TLP — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:05:30 +0000

The first scientific study of the relationship between alcohol consumption and atherosclerosis was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1904. The first epidemiological study to report that moderate drinkers exhibit greater longevity than abstainers or heavy drinkers was published in 1926 by Raymond Pearl. Most researchers now believe that the most important ingredient is the alcohol itself. Other researchers believe it is the act of relaxing while drinking that causes longevity that has a stronger association with longevity. Of ten major studies, three found stronger evidence for wine, three for beer, three for liquor, and one study found no difference between alcoholic beverages. The major cause of death in the U.S. is heart disease and most research finds that moderate consumption of alcohol reduces coronary fatalities in the range of 40% to 60%. The mechanisms by which alcohol reduces coronary events are becoming increasingly documented. Research has found that alcohol improves blood lipid profile (increases HDL and reduces LDL), decreases thrombosis (reduces platelet aggregation, reduces fibrinogen and increases fibrinolysis), reduces blood pressure, increases coronary blood flow, and reduces blood insulin levels.

Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.

TLP — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:56:00 +0000

The study was led by the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark. The researchers first analyzed 68 studies involving 232,606 people and found no significant effect on mortality — neither good nor bad — linked to taking antioxidants. When they eliminated the lower-quality studies and looked only at the most trustworthy ones, they actually found a higher risk of death for people taking vitamins: 4 percent for those taking vitamin E, 7 percent for beta-carotene and 16 percent for vitamin A. The actual cause of death in most studies was unknown, however. Those findings are based on an analysis of 47 studies involving 180,938 people who were randomly assigned to get real vitamins or dummy pills. Some involved superdoses far exceeding the recommended daily amount of the compounds; others involved normal doses. The study’s senior author, Dr. Christian Gluud of Copenhagen University Hospital, said, “The main message is that prevention by beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E cannot be recommended. These three antioxidant supplements may increase mortality.”

Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.
JAMA. 2007 Feb 28;297(8):842-57. Review.
PMID: 17327526 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Coffee consumption is inversely associated with cognitive decline in elderly European men

TLP — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:55:46 +0000

Austrian study showing that drinking 3 cups of coffee a day could slow cognitive decline in elderly men.

Coffee consumption is inversely associated with cognitive decline in elderly European men: the FINE Study.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Feb;61(2):226-32. Epub 2006 Aug 16.
PMID: 16929246 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Red wine procyanidins, vascular health and longevity

TLP — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:55:23 +0000

A study by Professor Roger Corder (R. Corder et al., “Oenology: Red wine procyanidins and vascular health”, Nature vol. 444, p. 566; 30 November 2006) has identified a particular group of polyphenols, known as oligomeric procyanidins, which they believe offer the greatest degree of protection to human blood-vessel cells. Tests with 165 wines showed that these are found in greatest concentration in European red wines from certain areas (southwestern France and Sardinia), which correlates with longevity in those regions. The highest procyanidins are found in wines from the Tannat grape, grown in the Gers area of south-west France (the Madiran appellation requires at least 40 per cent Tannat). Clinical trials of grape seed extract have shown that 200 – 300 mg of procyanidins per day lower blood pressure. Two small glasses (125 ml glass) of a procyanidin-rich red wine, such as a Madiran, would then provide this amount.