Among the good news regarding wellness is that of an all-natural pill that may soon join the ranks of recommended prescriptions for depression .

Curcumin , an active compound derived from the Curcuma Longa plant , from which the spice used in cooking is obtained, was tested in comparison to a traditional antidepressant, fluoxetine, in a study published in Phytotherapy Research . A daily dose of curcumin of 1000 mg was found to be only 2-5% less effective than the drug and, more importantly, it showed no adverse and unexpected side effects.  

Study author Ajay Goel, PhD, director of epigenetics and cancer prevention at Baylor University Medical Center, says synthetic options work well when viewed as a one-time solution, but that side effects, toxicity and tolerance, become real concerns when taking medications for prolonged periods due to chronic symptoms.

Although curcumin has been regarded as a promising alternative to antidepressants for years , this is the first time that researchers have been able to show and prove the compound’s effectiveness at work in humans, and its performance is very promising.  

“Clinically, 2% less efficacy makes no difference , “says Dr. Goel.” Curcumin has been shown to be safe, even in high doses. ” 

The benefits of curcumin

Researchers are still hard at work, trying to pinpoint exactly how curcumin balances depressive symptoms, but they have some clues to follow. Curcumin is a natural inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that at high levels is linked to depression and also blocks the release of substances known as cytokines , which can upset the delicate balance of the body’s reactions to stress. 

While doctors will not prescribe this compound to patients anytime soon, anyone can enjoy the health benefits of curcumin capsules, which are available at most health food stores.

“It is a very strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound and is great as a daily health supplement , “says Dr. Goel.” People who do not have depressive symptoms can make this spice part of their daily diet. “