(NaturalNews) The Journal ScienceDaily (Jan. 24, 2009) reported a new study which appeared in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. The study was conducted at the Neurodegeneration Research University of Massachusetts Lowell by Dr. Thomas B. Shea and his research team. Their findings provide mounting evidence in the scientific community that we can take measures to delay age-related cognitive decline.
Thomas B. Shea, PhD, and his team from The Center for Cellular Neurobiology performed multiple studies with mice subjects. The mice given apple juice to drink performed better than normal in maze trials. They also did not evidence any decline in performance which otherwise occurred in aging mice.
One of the distinctive markers of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of amyloid plaques which become hard and insoluable between nerve cells in the brain. Beta amyloid is a protein fragment that appears to be the main constituent of amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. In the latest study by Dr. Shea and his team, mice produced less beta-amyloid when given the human equivalent of 2 glasses of apple juice per day for 1 month. In a healthy brain, the protein fragments are broken down and eliminated.
"These findings provide further evidence linking nutritional and genetic risk factors for age-related neurodegeneration and suggest that regular consumption of apple juice can not only help to keep one's mind functioning at its best, but may also be able to delay key aspects of Alzheimer's disease and augment therapeutic approaches," stated Dr. Shea.
Scientists consider mice a good choice for studying human diseases and conditions because their immune response, physiology and genetic material are similar in many ways to our own. In this particular case, mice were enhanced through experimentation.
Almost daily, scientists are discovering the amazing properties found in natural foods and their impact on our quality of life, longevity and disease prevention. Those with an appreciation for optimal nutrition and who make it a part of daily living know its exceeding value in staying healthy and vital with the passing years.
It should be obvious that consuming organic apples and apple juice would be an important healthier choice over conventionally-grown. The FDA reported apples and peaches were the two crops with the greatest number of different pesticides per crop. In nearly 2500 samples from 1984 to 1991, they found 48 different pesticides, and in the 1992-93 evaluations, found 36 different chemicals. Nearly half of the 36 chemicals were neurotoxic or carcinogenic.
Sources:
ScienceDaily, January 24, 2009 "Apple Juice Can Delay Onset of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Suggests"
Journal reference: Amy Chan and Thomas B. Shea. Dietary Supplementation with Apple Juice Decreases Endogenous Amyloid-%u03B2 Levels in Murine Brain. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 16:1 (January 2009)
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