
USC researchers are studying plant-derived substances, like green tea, that inhibit production of the sticky amyloid beta plaques known to cause Alzheimer‘s disease. (Photo/Pixabay)
The findings — focused on components contained in green tea and carrots — lend credence to the idea that certain readily available, plant-based supplements might offer protection against dementia in people.
A diet containing compounds found in green tea and carrots reversed Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice genetically programmed to develop the disease, USC researchers say.
Researchers emphasize that the study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, was in mice, and many mouse discoveries never translate into human treatments. Nevertheless, the findings lend credence to the idea that certain readily available, plant-based supplements might offer protection against dementia in humans.
“You don’t have to wait 10 to 12 years for a designer drug to make it to market; you can make these dietary changes today,” said senior author Terrence Town, a professor of physiology and neuroscience at the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute. “I find that very encouraging.”
Diet and Alzheimer’s: Combination therapy
What’s more, the study supports the idea that combination therapy, rather than a single magic bullet, may offer the best approach to treating the 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. Combination treatment is already the standard of care for diseases such as cancer, HIV infection and rheumatoid arthritis.
For this study, the researchers took a look at two compounds, EGCG, or epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a key ingredient in green tea, and FA, or ferulic acid, which is found in carrots, tomatoes, rice, wheat and oats.
The researchers randomly assigned 32 mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms to one of four groups with an equal number of males and females. For comparison, each group also included an equal number of healthy mice. For three months, the mice consumed a combination of EGCG and FA, or EGCG or FA only, or a placebo. The dosage was 30 milligrams per kilogram of body weight — a dosage well-tolerated by humans and easily consumed as part of a healthy diet.
Diet and Alzheimer’s: Testing results
Before and after the three-month special diet, scientists ran the mice through a battery of neuropsychological tests that are roughly analogous to the thinking and memory tests that assess dementia in humans. Of particular note was a maze in the shape of a Y, which tests a mouse’s spatial working memory — a skill that humans use to find their way out of a building.
Healthy mice instinctively explore each arm of the Y maze, looking for food or a route to escape and entering the three arms in sequence more often than by chance alone. Impaired mice can’t do this as well as their mentally healthy counterparts.
“After three months, combination treatment completely restored spatial working memory and the Alzheimer’s mice performed just as well as the healthy comparison mice,” Town said.
How did it work? Town says one mechanism appeared to be the substances’ ability to prevent amyloid precursor proteins from breaking up into the smaller proteins called amyloid beta that gum up Alzheimer patients’ brains. In addition, the compounds appeared to reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain—key aspects of Alzheimer’s pathology in humans.
Town said he and his lab will continue exploring combination treatment, with a focus on plant-derived substances that inhibit production of the sticky amyloid beta plaques.
Learn more: Diet reverses Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in lab model
The Latest on: Plant-based supplements
via Google News
The Latest on: Plant-based supplements
- Wacker Expands Into the Pet Supplement Industryon January 22, 2021 at 7:09 am
As a global supplier in nutraceuticals and food ingredients, WACKER is expanding into the pet supplement market in the United States.
- Hailey Bieber swears by prenatal supplements for healthy and shiny hairon January 22, 2021 at 1:27 am
Hailey Bieber has revealed one of the secrets behind her healthy and shiny hair is taking prenatal supplements.
- Ceracare Supplement Reviews – CeraCare Advanced Blood Sugar Support Facts Revealed by Liver Philon January 20, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Brand Partner Content by KISS PR Brand Story* High blood sugar and diabetes are menaces that are threatening millions of people worldwide. About 1.6 million deaths are attributed to diabetes every ...
- Plant-based Products Market Report 2021 Growth By Manufacturers: Morning Star Farms, Before the Butcher, Ingredion Incorporated and Cargillon January 19, 2021 at 10:33 pm
MarketDesk :The exploration of the latest research of global Plant-based Products market portrays a review of market research report which is powered by market.biz. It familiarizes the clients with ...
- Sea moss gel gains popularity as a mineral supplementon January 19, 2021 at 4:01 am
Sea moss naturally has 92 of the 102 minerals that make up the body's mineral composition. INDIANAPOLIS — Sea moss is a plant-based gel that people say is changing their lives. "Your body, it's like ...
- Supplements Complementing Functional Food Are Attracting Investor Intereston January 18, 2021 at 3:51 pm
Supplements offering health benefits that aren’t typically available via functional food are poised for massive growth as the sector gains further interest among consumer investors.
- Vitamins C and E Can Protect Against This Dangerous Disease, Study Findson January 18, 2021 at 6:09 am
There's one more reason to load up on foods rich in vitamins C and E. New research shows they can lower your risk of this neurological disorder.
- Farlong Pharmaceutical Offers Contract Manufacturing Services for the Natural and Dietary Supplement and Personal Care Product Industrieson January 18, 2021 at 5:19 am
WALNUT, Calif., Jan. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Farlong Pharmaceutical, a vertically integrated, plant-based ingredient and supplement company offers contract manufacturing services for brand ...
- Pursuit of Novel Plant-based Enzymes for Skincare Industry Broaden Horizon for Companies in Bromelain Market: TMRon January 13, 2021 at 6:45 am
PRNewswire/ -- Plant-based protein digesting enzymes such as bromelain have wide commercial value in the dietary ...
- Danone debuts plant-based beverage for athleteson January 13, 2021 at 4:04 am
Danone North America is debuting a new protein-packed, plant-based beverage geared toward athletes. Designed for muscle maintenance and repair, Silk Ultra is a multi-serve, dairy-free beverage that ...
via Bing News