An Apple A Day Keeps The Alzheimer’s Away? You know sometimes no I should say mostly when a saying becomes cliche precisely because it is right on. I have always believed this when it comes to " an apople a day keeps the doctor away? I thought this before this research was brought to my attention. there is never any medical advice here only reporting and informing any medical advice must come from your personal doctor.
Preventing Alzheimer’s with what you eat is not a new topic here in the pages og this blog. Now there is encouraging research being done (sorry not on humans on lab animals) which suggests that apple juice can be a part of a brain protecting plan of action. This is no surprise to many who have long held that Alzheimer’s may be at least partly the result of the brain not getting enough blood glucose. The theory is that reduced blood flow leads to reduced sugar getting to and nourishing the brain cells.
Craig Weatherby of Vital Choices writes:
"The apple juice studies seem to yield a more involved result and it is suggested that it isn’t necessarily the blod sugar connection they are observing
But a series of studies by researchers at the University of Massachusetts suggests that apple juice may aid brain health in several other ways.
A team led by Thomas Shea, PhD of the University’s Center for Cellular Neurobiology conducted controlled studies in normal and “apoE-deficient” mice, which are prone to develop Alzheimer’s disease (Chan A, Shea TB 2009). Mice bred to lack the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene are susceptible to the excessive buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain, which kill cells and is strongly associated with development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Beta-amyloid plaque kills brain cells in part by increasing the oxidative stress caused by free radicals … an effect that promotes senile dementia, Alzheimer’s, and age-related cognitive decline.
The Massachusetts team found that adding apple juice concentrate to the animals’ drinking water had several beneficial effects:
Blocked buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in normal and apoE-deficient mice.
Decreased expression of a gene called presenilin-1 (PS-1), which promotes Alzheimer’s disease by raising beta-amyloid plaque and free radical levels.
Maintained acetylcholine levels in aged mice placed on vitamin-deficient, oxidative stress-promoting diets, which otherwise cause levels of this key neurotransmitter to decline. Major anti-Alzheimer’s drugs like Tacrine and Aricept work (pretty weakly) by reducing breakdown of acetylcholine.
Together, these findings support earlier epidemiological findings, which suggest that people who frequently consume fruit juice — and fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoid-type antioxidants — enjoy a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. "
I think this bodes well for the future of prevention or at least the delay of Alzheimer’s disease.
Apple Juice May Delay Alzheimer’s Disease: New Research Shows …
While scientists continue to research the possible effects of nutrition upon Alzheimer’s prevention, this study suggests that including apple juice in the daily diet would be worthwhile.
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