Alzheimer Disease and Antioxidants

At the present time, one out of ten adults haveagainst Alzheimer's disease, it is probably because
some form of Alzheimer disease. According to Dr.they reduce what is called 'oxidative stress' in cells."
Greengard, Director of the Fisher Center forHe went on to say that his team believes free
Alzheimer's Research at the Rockefeller University,radicals are the culprit of oxidative stress in cells
that number is expected to strike up to three timescaused by the inappropriate consumption of some
as many in the coming decades. Alzheimer's isfoods such as those in high fat content. In this study
considered a disease of the elderly and with theFriedland is recommending a "to-do" list for those
average lifespan of the US population rising to 74, awho want to improve their chances of maintaining a
solution to the medical problem is being sought.Forhealthy brain. He suggests:Eat a diet high in
Scientists the largest concern is what causesantioxidantsEat fishTake vitamin ETake B
Alzheimer's and how can it be eradicated. For possiblevitaminsTake folic acidBe mentally and physically
victims and their families it is how do we prevent theactive throughout lifeAvoid head injuriesWhen
dreaded affliction or stop it in its tracks once it isaddressing the reduction of free radicals it is essential
diagnosed.Scientists are in agreement and haveto recognize the importance of Oligomeric
narrowed down the contributing factor causingProanthocyanidins (OPC's) as the most powerful
Alzheimer's disease. Most researchers agree thatantioxidant known in scientific studies. OPC's are
Beta-amyloid is one of the agents thought to causeproducts commonly derived from a combination of
damage to the brain in Alzheimer's disease. Thegrape seed extract, red wine extract and/or pine
research is attempting to find a deterrent and isbark extract. They are very powerful bioflavanoids
recognizing antioxidants to be significant in protectingused as a natural food supplement ready to be
at risk patients.According to the Harvard Medicalabsorbed into the body and begin to attack the free
Center, continuing research and studies are beingradicals.OPC's are safe and have been used for over
conducted with some positive results. Even though20 years throughout Europe. Extensive studies and
some studies by the French point to wine as alaboratory testing reveal no evidence for human
protectant, the results are considerably controversial.toxicity, allergic reactions, birth defects, or
The component in the wine that was indicated to becarcinogenicity. OPC's work synergistically with other
responsible for the protectant agent is still somewhatantioxidant vitamins, regenerating the antioxidant
ambiguous.Recent studies, including the study onproperties of vitamin C and vitamin E.However, Bill
wine, point to antioxidants for Alzheimer andThies, PhD, vice president of medical and scientific
Dementia risk reduction.In an Italian study conductedaffairs for the Alzheimer's Association says although
by A. Russo, et.al., it was found that black grape skinFriedmand's recommendations are probably useful and
extract protected cells in a test tube from oxidativethat he agrees with all of them, he wants to "be
damage and DNA fragmentation when exposed tovery clear that the association is not making any
beta-amyloid. An even more recent study by E.recommendations about ways to prevent Alzheimer's.
Savaskan, et.al, examined the red wine ingredientThies is, however, involved in reading and learning
resveratrol, and found it to be neuroprotectiveabout all studies concerning Alzheimer's Disease.A
against beta-amyloid oxidative stress, againstudy conducted in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Dr.
supporting an antioxidant mechanism.What theseMonique Breteler with the Eras UM Medical Center,
studies point to is, red wine may have an effect thatfound the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, and
could provide some protection against Alzheimer'svitamin E appear to be equally protective as a
disease, but indication says it is the antioxidant factorreducing factor in the fight against Alzheimer's. Her
that is the hero. This is consistent with the fact thatresults of the 5,000 volunteers over the past 14
other antioxidants, most notably vitamin E, are beingyears, confirmed some earlier studies that point to
studied with great interest as potential protectiveantioxidants as a way to lower risk of dementia. She
agents against Alzheimer's disease. According to Dr.also said the protective effect of antioxidants was
Steve Seiner, of Harvard Medical School, "While the"more pronounced among smokers and among those
results of these studies do not necessarily suggestwho are carriers of the Alzheimer's gene."It was also
that people should drink wine in order to lower theirpointed out that diets rich in antioxidants are helpful,
risk of Alzheimer's disease, they do support thebut in order to consume the necessary requirements,
potential role of antioxidant treatment in preventinga person would have to triple, or more, their current
or delaying Alzheimer's disease.In another study byconsumption, which Breteler says, is most unlikely.
Robert P. Friedland, MD chief of the neurogeriatricsRecommendations for proper amounts of ingestion
laboratory at Case Western Reserve Universityare through antioxidant supplements including OPC's,
School of Medicine, "If antioxidants prove to protectvitamin E and vitamin C.