| Roman Bystrianyk 2004-08-25, 12:24 pm |
| http://www.healthsentinel.com/news....ist_item&id=155
Robert Preidt, "Draining Brain Toxins May Slow Alzheimer's", Forbes,
August 24, 2004,
Link: http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/hea...cout520801.html
Reducing levels of specific toxins in the brain may help stabilize
cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease patients.
That's the finding of preliminary research from the university of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine, published in the August issue of the
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
The toxins under study are called isoprostanes, compounds that
accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and cause
the death of cells involved in memory and language.
Researchers controlled the levels of isoprostanes in eight Alzheimer's
patients by fitting them with specially designed shunts that drained
their cerebral spinal fluid. Over a year, isoprostane levels in these
patients declined by about 50 percent, compared to Alzheimer's
patients who took only standard oral medications.
In a paper-and-pencil cognitive test, the scores of the patients with
the shunts remained stable over 12 months. The scores of patients
without the shunt declined by 20 percent.
Nearly 100 Alzheimer's patients have been recruited for the next phase
of the study, which is being conducted at Stanford University.
Authors Note:
Unfortunately, the news report does described isoprostanes beyond
simply defining them as being a toxin. Isoprostanes are derived from
the free radical oxidation of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is
found in large quantities in animal meat sources. Therefore diets high
in meat will increase arachidonic acid and increases the likely hood
of the body producing isoprostanes and thereby increase the likelihood
of Alzheimer's. Also, what decreases free radical oxidation?
Anti-oxidants. So, increasing anti-oxidants, which are found in fruits
and vegetables and in supplements, will reduce oxidation and reduce
the production of these toxins. This in part may explain why a study
in the JAMA (Jan 9, 2004) concluded that, "Use of antioxidative
supplements, high intake of vitamin C and vitamin E was associated
with lower risk of Alzheimer disease." In short, by reducing or
eliminating meat from your diet and increasing anti-oxidants through
diet and supplements will reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer's
disease.
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