Curcumin for Concussion Management
Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These properties make curcumin a mainstay in the management of traumatic brain injuries such as concussion. When you come to Absolute Health and Wellness, our approach to dealing with concussion is simple: we aim to reduce inflammation and oxidation within the brain. Treatment is usually quite conservative, and we focus on evidenced based practices.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is simply a type of brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. Impacts causing a concussion may be direct blow or rotational in nature (like spinning) [1].
The rapid movement associated with the physical trauma can stretch and damage brain cells. The damage is mediated by various chemicals and metabolic changes, but at the end of the day is inflammation and oxidation. So, managing a concussion should involve managing inflammation and oxidation.
What is Curcumin
Curcumin is a natural yet powerful anti-oxidant. Curcumin has been extensively researched and shown to be beneficial in a wide range of conditions [2] including arthritis, skin health, blood thinning, cancer, hypertension and much more.
Curcumin in a plant chemical naturally found in turmeric root. Eating turmeric is a nice way to obtain low levels of curcumin. Sometimes, when we need higher doses, we rely on curcumin supplements.
Curcumin for Concussion.
One really important aspect of taking supplements for concussion is the ability for that substance to cross the blood brain barrier – and curcumin can [3]!
Curcumin has been shown to improve traumatic brain injury outcomes by restoring homeostasis in the brain [3], my exerting its strong anti-oxidant capacity, ability to reduce lipid peroxidation (damage) and reducing neuro-inflammation.
There is even some evidence that supplementing curcumin prior to concussion may improve balance and make your brain more efficient in energy metabolism.
References
Interested in learning more?
Read on in our series of articles on Concussions!
About the Author - Dr. Johann de Chickera
Dr. Johann is a fully licensed Naturopathic Doctor. His approach emphasizes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and improving one’s health naturally. Dr. Johann obtained a Doctor of Naturopathy at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Education at CCNM is a vigorous four years, with a curriculum involving biomedical sciences, physical diagnosis, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy and lifestyle management.
While Dr. Johann has a general practice, he focuses on fertility, hormonal imbalances, gut health, and autoimmune disease.
To book in please call us at (519) 442-2206 or click here.