Archive for the ‘- Alzheimer’s’ Category
Message: Canadian hemp and Himalayan herbs can be out of your reach but vanilla is everywhere.
Apocynin (acetovanillone) is structurally related to vanillin. In 1970s, apocynin was isolated from Himalayan medicinal herb Picrorhiza kurroa but long before that, in 1880s, it was found in the root of Canadian hemp Apocynum cannabinum, thus the name. Under this name, it is currently being extensively researched. An important antioxidative effect of apocynin is discussed in connection with its potential to fight neuronal dysfunction and inflammmation in diseases ranging from stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases to psychiatric disorders (1).
Interestingly, researchers from Food Products Development Centre, Switzerland, considered vanillin more than a flavoring agent but a potent antioxidant effective in quantities as little as 0·01–0·5% added to foods (2). It showed stronger antioxidant activity than did Vitamin C (3).
Sources
- Frontiers Biosci (2012) E4, 2183-2193
- J Sci Food Agric (1989), 48, 1, 49–56
- Biochim Biophys Acta (2011) 1810, 2, 170–177
Message: “The neuroprotective efficacy of caffeinated coffee was similar to that of decaffeinated coffee, indicating that active compounds present in both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, such as chlorogenic acid, may drive the effects” (1)
We wrote before that caffeine is good for your brain (2,3), now it turns out that coffee keeps working even after it’s decaffeinated.
- Neurochemistry International 60 (2012) 466–474
- Caffeine protect against neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease
- Coffee, tea, and chocolate can help to avoid Parkinson’s disease
Message: Don’t overlook common things
Oxidative stress is implicated in more than 100 diseases including neurodegenerative diseases since it damages brain cells (1). Many hawthorn species, e.g., Crataegus pinnalifida, monogyna, pinnatifida are recognized cardioprotectors and neuroprotectors including the cases of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, ischemic stroke or traumatic brain damage (2,3).
It’s a good news since hawthorn is a very common plant and its berries is widely used in cooking (4).
Sources
- Resp Physiol (2001) 128, 3, 379–391
- J Neurochem (2004) 90, 1, 211–219
- Evidence-Based Compl Alt Med (2012) 984295, 8; doi:10.1155/2012/984295
- What can I do with hawthorn berries?
Message: Think of these natural cognitive enhancers
In a mice model of Alzheimer’s disease, dietary supplementation with fish oil (or omega-3 fatty acids), curcumin, or a combination of both has the potential to fight insulin deficiency characteristic for Alzheimer’s disease and improve cognitive cognitive performance.
Source
J Neurosci (2009) 29, 9078-9089
Related: Resveratrol and curcumin, plant’s own weapons that protect the brain
Message: A combination of anti-Alzheimer’s supplements produce a better result than any of them separately.
The term synergistic is often used by nutraceutical manufacturers without substantiating what it really means. However, it is a real thing: “The rationale is that the simultaneous attenuation of a number of pathogenic processes may lead to an incrementing clinical improvement, thus providing valid targets for therapies,” wrote Dr Mandel and coauthors (1) from Eve Topf Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Research, Haifa, Israel. They referred to the studies (2, 3) showing a clinically significant improvement in cognitive performance in Altzheimer’s disease patients treater with a combination of folate, vitamin B6, alpha-tocopherol, S-adenosyl methionine, N-acetyl cysteine, and acetyl-L-carnitine.
Sources
- Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 25 (2011) 187–208
- Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 23 (2008) 571-585
- Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 24 (2009) 27-33
Message: there are many supplements on the market believed to postpone brain aging but they are still on clinical trials. To wait until consensus is reached or to go for them since they wouldn’t hurt depends (mostly) whether you can afford them or not.
Vitamins E and C, alpha-lipoic acid, creatine, melatonin, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, CoQ10, curcumin, resveratrol, glucose, malate and other antioxidants and (and their combinations) are subjects of around 30 registered clinical trials investigating diseases blamed for the consequences of brain aging — Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Source: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 25 (2011) 187–208
Most fats seem to be protective against Alzheimer disease
In 1989-99, an association was found, between dietary fat composition and cognitive performance in later adult years: the higher intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and the lower intake of saturated fat — the higher cognitive performance. Another, epidemiologic study conducted in 1997 suggested that high intake of total fat, saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol may increase the risk of dementia.
However, researchers at St Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Ill found increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease among people with high intakes of saturated and trans-unsaturated fats and decreased risk with high intakes of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Consumption of vegetable fat and a high ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fats were also protective, whereas total fat, animal fat, and dietary cholesterol had no association with Alzheimer disease.
Sources
Brain Res. 1989;505:302-305
Behav Neurosci. 1996;110:451-459
Behav Brain Res. 1999;101:153-161
Am J Epidemiol. 1997;145:33-41.
Arch Neurol. 2003;60:194-200
Message: Do not fear the fat
In 1989-99, an association was found, between dietary fat composition and cognitive performance in later adult years: the higher intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and the lower intake of saturated fat — the higher cognitive performance. Another, epidemiologic study conducted in 1997 suggested that high intake of total fat, saturated fat, and dietary cholesterol may increase the risk of dementia.
However, researchers at St Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Ill found increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease among people with high intakes of saturated and trans-unsaturated fats and decreased risk with high intakes of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Consumption of vegetable fat and a high ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fats were also protective, whereas total fat, animal fat, and dietary cholesterol had no association with Alzheimer disease.
Sources
- Brain Res. 1989;505:302-305
- Behav Neurosci. 1996;110:451-459
- Behav Brain Res. 1999;101:153-161
- Am J Epidemiol. 1997;145:33-41.
- Arch Neurol. 2003;60:194-200
Message: Managing insulin resistance can help prevent mental problems
The metabolic syndrome’s area of influence seems to be growing startlingly fast. Latest research revealed its link to mental health problems. Researchers discovered that insulin resistance can be “in your head” and created a new medical term, the “type 3 diabetes” referring to the newly discovered insulin receptors in the brain.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital showed that insulin resistance is tied to neurodegeneration. A drop in insulin production in the hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for memory — can contribute to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In the frontal cortex of the brain, a major area affected by Alzheimer’s, the levels of insulin receptors and the brain’s ability to respond to insulin decreased.
Whether or not an insulin shortage causes a breakdown in brain cell communication, which would explain another brain disease, schizophrenia, remains unknown, but people with schizophrenia are at least twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. ”There’s a whole series of steps that may prevent the schizophrenic brain from responding to insulin,” said Dr Altar of the Psychiatric Genomics Center in Boston, which is now focusing on potential treatments for schizophrenia.
Sources:
- Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 2007;23:29-34
- JAMA. 2004; 292:2237-2242
- J Alzheimer’s Disease; March 2005
- J Alzheimer’s Disease; November 2005
Related:
If we could delay the onset of dementia by 2 years, we could reduce its risks by as much as 25% — all other things being equal — and one of the most effective and simple ways is physical activity (Am J Public Health 1998;88:1337– 42). Drs Rockwood and Middleton from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, analyzed 7 studies of exercise effects on risks of dementia and concluded that, without exception, 65 to 93 years old men and women who exercise the most have a lower risk of dementia relative to those who exercise the least. (Alzheimer’s & Dementia 3 2007; S38–S44)
Another, large-scale study found a significant dose-response relationship between physical activity and cognitive function was conducted as part of the Nurses’ Health Study in 18,766 women (JAMA 2004;292:1454–61). After about 10 or more years, when the women were 70 to 81 years old, those reporting the most physical activity scored higher on several baseline tests of cognitive function. During the 2 years of additional follow up, there were again significant trends for a dose-response relationship in which those reporting the most physical activity exhibited the least decline in cognitive function (JAMA 2004;292:1454–61).
Even walking was associated with a “dose-dependent” risk reduction: those walked at an easy pace for at least 1.5 hours per week had significantly higher cognitive scores than those walking less than 40 minutes per week.
Higher activity levels might not be necessary for the benefit (Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2004; 18:57– 64) – an increase of 30-minutes aerobic exercise frequency from 3 to 5 times per week did not result in a proportional decrease of cognitive decline in a group of 1146 women 65 years old or older.
However, for those in the higher-intensity exercise group, that worked out at least moderate intensity (more vigorously than walking), or for longer durations each day (Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001;33:772–7.) chances of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, or all-cause dementia were lower (Arch Neurol 2001;58:498 –504).
Message: Walk!
If we could delay the onset of dementia by 2 years, we could reduce its risks by as much as 25% — all other things being equal — and one of the most effective and simple ways is physical activity (1). Drs Rockwood and Middleton from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, analyzed 7 studies of exercise effects on risks of dementia and concluded that, without exception, 65 to 93 years old men and women who exercise the most have a lower risk of dementia relative to those who exercise the least (2).
Another, large-scale study found a significant dose-response relationship between physical activity and cognitive function was conducted as part of the Nurses’ Health Study in 18,766 women (3). After about 10 or more years, when the women were 70 to 81 years old, those reporting the most physical activity scored higher on several baseline tests of cognitive function. During the 2 years of additional follow up, there were again significant trends for a dose-response relationship in which those reporting the most physical activity exhibited the least decline in cognitive function (3).
Even walking was associated with a “dose-dependent” risk reduction: those walked at an easy pace for at least 1.5 hours per week had significantly higher cognitive scores than those walking less than 40 minutes per week.Higher activity levels might not be necessary for the benefit (4) – an increase of 30-minutes aerobic exercise frequency from 3 to 5 times per week did not result in a proportional decrease of cognitive decline in a group of 1146 women 65 years old or older.However, for those in the higher-intensity exercise group, that worked out at least moderate intensity (more vigorously than walking), or for longer durations each day (5) chances of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, or all-cause dementia were lower (6).
Sources
- Am J Public Health 1998;88:1337– 42
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia 3 2007; S38–S44
- JAMA 2004;292:1454–61
- Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2004; 18:57– 64
- Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001;33:772–7
- Arch Neurol 2001;58:498 –504
Related:
Message: Know the enemy!
• Alzheimer’s affects approximately 4.5 million Americans and is
expected to affect up to 16 million by 2050.
• Alzheimer’s affects approximately 5 percent of men and women
ages 65–74.
• Nearly half of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s.
• Alzheimer’s must be distinguished from mild cognitive impairment
and normal age-related memory changes.
Source: National Institute of Aging. Alzheimer’s Disease Information, May 9, 2006
