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Scientists have found that a spicy ingredient in curry could be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, the Daily Mail reported.

Tests on fruit flies with a nervous disorder similar to the neurodegenerative illness found that those given curcumin -- the key chemical in turmeric used in everything from mild Kormas to the hottest Vindaloos -- lived 75 percent longer.

Previous research has found that Alzheimer's affects just one percent of people over the age of 65 living in some Indian villages.

Drugs with similar properties to curcumin could potentially be used as preventative treatments.

（点击《每日邮报》查看原文）

常吃咖喱预防老年痴呆

       据英国《每日邮报》报道，科学家发现，咖喱中的一种辛辣成分也许可以有效治疗老年痴呆症。

       对患有精神功能紊乱（类似于神经组织退化性疾病）的果蝇进行实验表明，那些被注射了姜黄素的果蝇寿命延长了75%。从味道温和的科尔马斯咖喱到超辣的宾达鲁咖喱，都含有从姜黄中提取的这种主要化学物。

       先前研究发现，在印度，一些村落的65岁以上老人得老年痴呆症的人数仅有1%。

       含有类似姜黄素成分的药品可以用于老年痴呆症的预防性治疗。

(China.org.cn February 17, 2012)