Curcumin, the native Indian spice derived from turmeric has been touted for decades as a powerful tool in the fight against cancer development and progression, Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disorders due to its natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The spice compound has recently attained 'superstar' status along with other nutrients including resveratrol, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in the fight against chronic diseases that plague millions of aging individuals.
A group of researchers publishing in Diabetes Care have found that supplementation with a standardized compound extracted from turmeric may help prevent diabetes in people at high risk. Diabetes and prediabetes, the precursor stage of the disease, afflicts as many as one-third of the US population, placing as many as 100 million individuals at dramatically increased risk for heart disease, cancer and dementia as well as early death.