| Resveratrol, a compound found in grapes and red | | | | Journal of Biological Chemistry November 11, 2005; |
| wine, may be prove to be a potent weapon in the | | | | 280(45): 37377-37382Science Daily November 4, 2005 |
| battle against Alzheimer's. | | | | Dr. Mercola's Comment:I've been telling you about |
| Fights Amyloid-Beta Peptides | | | | resveratrol, the natural polyphenol found in grapes, |
| A study has shown that it lowers levels of the | | | | peanuts, berries and red wine that fights cancer, for |
| amyloid-beta peptides, which are responsible for the | | | | quite a while now. It always amazes me how science |
| plaques leading to Alzheimer's disease. | | | | continues to uncover more and more benefits of |
| Scientists administered resveratrol to cellsthat | | | | simple natural whole food products. |
| produce human amyloid-beta; they found that levels | | | | While alcoholic beverageshave some benefit they are |
| of amyloid-beta in the treated cells dropped | | | | not your best source of these beneficial nutrients. If |
| significantly. | | | | you want to boost your consumption of resveratrol, |
| Further Research Needed | | | | stick with natural sources like whole grape skins (pass |
| It is uncertain, however, if simply eating a | | | | up the meat of the grape, which has no resveratrol |
| resveratrol-rich diet will have the same effect; | | | | but a lot of extra fructose). |
| follow-up research is therefore being conducted to | | | | Although red wine also contains resveratrol, and |
| identify the molecular mechanisms that resveratrol | | | | many health experts feel it is fine in moderation, I am |
| triggers to fight Alzheimer's. The compound may act | | | | not so certain about this. This is largely because I am |
| by stimulating the proteasome, a multi-protein | | | | convinced the alcohol itself is actually a neurotoxin, |
| complex that can digest other proteins. | | | | which means it can poison your brain. Additionally, it |
| Could Fight Other Diseases | | | | has the strong potential to seriously disrupt your |
| Resveratrol may also be effective in fighting other | | | | delicate hormone balance. |
| human amyloid-related diseases such as Huntington's, | | | | Alzheimer's is serious business and we are in the |
| Parkinson's and prion diseases. It can, for example, | | | | midst of an Alzheimer's epidemic. Grape skins that |
| protect neurons against amyloid-like polyglutamines, | | | | have reservatrol are useful but only a small part of a |
| which accompany Huntington's disease. | | | | Total Health apporach to reduce all chronic illness. |