Apple Juice May Boost Memory

(CBS)

Fast Facts

Prior research has shown that supplementing animal diets with other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, spinach, and strawberries, can help slow age-related mental decline better than using dietary supplements.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Fruit's Antioxidants May Fight Aging Effects And Alzheimer's Disease

Aug. 4, 2006

(WebMD) An apple (or two) a day may help keep Alzheimer’s away — and fight the effects of aging on the brain.

A new study shows drinking apple juice may improve memory by preventing the decline of an essential neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine. Neurotransmitters are chemicals released by nerve cells to transmit messages to other nerve cells.

They are critical for good memory and brain health. Previous studies have shown that increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain can slow the mental decline found in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The findings of the present study show that consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as apples and apple juice can help reduce problems associated with memory loss,” says researcher Thomas Shea, Ph.D., director of the Center for Cellular Neurobiology & Neurodegeneration Research at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, in a news release.

Prior research has shown that supplementing animal diets with other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, spinach, and strawberries, can help slow age-related mental decline better than using dietary supplements containing purified forms of antioxidants.

Apples for Alzheimer’s?

In the study, researchers compared normal adult mice, normal “aged” mice, and special mice that were a genetic model for human Alzheimer’s. The mice were given either a normal diet, or a diet lacking in essential nutrients, for one month.

Some of the mice on the nutrient-poor diet were also given apple juice concentrate mixed in their water.

The results showed that normal adult mice and the genetically-engineered mice on normal diets had the same acetylcholine levels. In fact, the normal adults had the same acetylcholine levels regardless of diet.

However, the genetically engineered mice on the nutrient-poor diet had lower acetylcholine levels. But this drop was prevented in those given apple juice. In the aged mice on a normal diet, acetylcholine levels were lower than in the normal adult mice; and their levels were even lower if placed on the nutrient-poor diet.

But, again, this decline was prevented by the addition of apple juice to drink. The mice were also put through maze memory tests.

“It was surprising how the animals on the apple-enhanced diets actually did a superior job on the maze tests than those not on the supplemented diet,” says Shea.

The amount of apple juice the mice drank was comparable to drinking about two 8-ounce glasses of apple juice or eating two to three apples a day for humans.

Human studies looking at apple consumption are coming in the future. The study was funded by an unrestricted grant from the U.S. Apple Association and the Apple Products Research & Education Council.

SOURCES: Chan, A. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, August 2006; vol 9. News release, U.S. Apple Association.

By Jennifer Warner
Reviewed by Louise Chang, M.D.
© 2006, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

Nerve and Brain Problems

Parkinson’s Disease is the disease of the nerves that causes muscle tremors, rigidity, slow movement and loss of muscle control.A study on Parkinson’s Disease was done at Columbia University by neurologist, Dr Stanley Fahn.He did a study concerning men and women with early Parkinson’s Disease. One group was given 3,200 IU of Vitamin E a day and 3,000 milligrams of Vitamin C.The control group was not taking antioxidant supplements. The results were positive, the progression was slowed.Those on antioxidants did not need to begin medication (levodopa) for their disease until an average of 2 ½ - 3 years after the control group. In fact, at the time of study, 3 of those on antioxidants had not begun medication.

Thus, Dr Fahn was able to show that Parkinson’s is due, in part, to the loss of the nerve cells from free radical damage.Some recent experiments from the Salk Institute indicate that the antioxidants, particularly Vitamin E, may help to prevent the onset and/or progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.In a cell culture they showed that even low concentrations of a protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients could kill nerve cells.They then used Vitamin E along with this toxic protein and found that most of the nerve cells survived.Dr Schubert, the main author of the study, believes that a good diet super-charged by Vitamin E, C and Beta-Carotene may postpone some of the age-related damage to the brain.[Source: Antioxidants by Dr Bruce Miller]

Penyakit Alzheimer

Epal kini didapati dapat merawat Penyakit Alzheimer.

Penyakit Alzheimer berlaku disebabkan kekurangan "acetylcholine", sejenis bahan kimia yang penting untuk menghantar mesej ke otak.Berdasarkan kajian yang dijalankan oleh University of Massaschusetts, jus epal dapat meningkatkan pengeluaran "acetylcholine", seterusnya dapat merawat Penyakit Alzheimer.

[Sumber: Saji Februari 2007]