Testosterone dive baffling
The overall testosterone level of American men has fallen steadily during the past two decades - and researchers don't know why. Neither ageing nor health factors such as smoking or obesity fully explains the decline, discovered by New England Research Institute's analysis of blood from about 1,500 men over 45 years old during three periods since 1987. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and helps maintain bone and muscle mass, healthday.com reports. Low levels have been linked to problems such as low libido and diabetes.
Curry guards against dementia
Eating curry may help stave off dementias such as Alzheimer's, according to two studies focusing on curcumin, which is found in the spice turmeric and has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Preliminary findings by University of California, Los Angeles, researchers suggest that curcumin helps immune-system cells purge amyloid beta - a protein that forms damaging plaque in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. And a National University of Singapore study of more than 1,000 people aged between 60 and 93 found that those who ate curry even only twice a year scored significantly better in cognitive tests than those who rarely or never did so, Reuters reports. The researchers say the results provide 'the first epidemiologic evidence supporting a link between curry consumption and cognitive performance'.
Spice blocks arthritis in rats
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Arizona say extracts of turmeric containing curcumin are remarkably effective at blocking the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in rats. They may also help treat other inflammatory disorders such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and possibly osteoporosis, BBCi reports. However, the researchers say that 'simply eating more spices is not likely to be effective clinically'.
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