At the two-day symposium organized by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a group of international scientists shared promising results of 24 studies exploring the beneficial effects of natural products on the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease. For the first time at this symposium, real maple syrup was included among the healthful functional foods that show promise in protecting brain cells against the kind of damage found in Alzheimer's disease.
According to the findings of a study presented by Dr. Donald Weaver, Director of Krembil Research Institute of the University of Toronto, an extract of maple syrup may help prevent the misfolding and clumping of two types of proteins found in brain cells - beta amyloid and tau peptide. When cellular proteins fold improperly and clump together, they accumulate and form the plaque that is involved in the onset of Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.
In yet another research findings presented at the symposium, it was highlighted that a pure maple syrup extract also prevented the fibrillation (tangling) of beta amyloid proteins and had neuro-protective effects in rodent's primary immune brain cells, a decrease of which is associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurological problems.
The maple syrup extract also prolonged the lifespan of an Alzheimer's roundworm model in vivo. This study was conducted out of the University of Rhode Island, in collaboration with researchers at Texas State University and was led by Dr. Navindra P. Seeram, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, USA.
"Natural food products such as green tea, red wine, berries, curcumin and pomegranates continue to be studied for their potential benefits in combatting Alzheimer's disease. And now, in preliminary laboratory-based Alzheimer's disease studies, phenolic-enriched extracts of maple syrup from Canada showed neuroprotective effects, similar to resveratrol, a compound found in red wine," said Dr. Seeram. "However, further animal and eventually human studies would be required to confirm these initial findings", he adds.
These preliminary findings help support discoveries made over the past few years on the inherent properties of pure maple syrup that comes directly from the sap of the maple tree, making it an all-natural product with unique health benefits.
Sheela Krishnaswamy, diet, nutrition and wellness consultant, India says, "These are very exciting findings, considering Alzheimer's in India is quickly becoming more and more common. Scientists believe that Alzheimer's is a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. Health issues are unexpected but it is our responsibility to be prepared to overcome them and these findings demonstrate that easily available natural ingredients such as Maple syrup may potentially help fight against this disease."
Serge Beaulieu, President of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, is excited by the findings of the independent scientific studies and enthusiastic about the potential pure maple syrup may have on neurological health. "The Federation and the 7300 Quebec maple enterprisers are committed to investing in scientific research to help better understand the link between food and health. This has been demonstrated by a robust and carefully guided research program that started in 2005 to explore the potential health benefits of pure maple syrup," said Beaulieu. "We already know that maple has more than 100 bioactive compounds, some of which have anti-inflammatory properties. Brain health is the latest topic of exploration and we look forward to learning more about the potential benefits that maple syrup might have in this area."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that impairs daily functioning through gradual loss of memory. Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. According to the Alzheimer's Association, every 67 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's disease, a condition that currently cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., afflicts 11 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 65 and carries with it an annual health care cost of $226 billion (2015 estimate).
Source : TOI
According to the findings of a study presented by Dr. Donald Weaver, Director of Krembil Research Institute of the University of Toronto, an extract of maple syrup may help prevent the misfolding and clumping of two types of proteins found in brain cells - beta amyloid and tau peptide. When cellular proteins fold improperly and clump together, they accumulate and form the plaque that is involved in the onset of Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.
In yet another research findings presented at the symposium, it was highlighted that a pure maple syrup extract also prevented the fibrillation (tangling) of beta amyloid proteins and had neuro-protective effects in rodent's primary immune brain cells, a decrease of which is associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurological problems.
The maple syrup extract also prolonged the lifespan of an Alzheimer's roundworm model in vivo. This study was conducted out of the University of Rhode Island, in collaboration with researchers at Texas State University and was led by Dr. Navindra P. Seeram, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, USA.
"Natural food products such as green tea, red wine, berries, curcumin and pomegranates continue to be studied for their potential benefits in combatting Alzheimer's disease. And now, in preliminary laboratory-based Alzheimer's disease studies, phenolic-enriched extracts of maple syrup from Canada showed neuroprotective effects, similar to resveratrol, a compound found in red wine," said Dr. Seeram. "However, further animal and eventually human studies would be required to confirm these initial findings", he adds.
These preliminary findings help support discoveries made over the past few years on the inherent properties of pure maple syrup that comes directly from the sap of the maple tree, making it an all-natural product with unique health benefits.
Sheela Krishnaswamy, diet, nutrition and wellness consultant, India says, "These are very exciting findings, considering Alzheimer's in India is quickly becoming more and more common. Scientists believe that Alzheimer's is a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. Health issues are unexpected but it is our responsibility to be prepared to overcome them and these findings demonstrate that easily available natural ingredients such as Maple syrup may potentially help fight against this disease."
Serge Beaulieu, President of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, is excited by the findings of the independent scientific studies and enthusiastic about the potential pure maple syrup may have on neurological health. "The Federation and the 7300 Quebec maple enterprisers are committed to investing in scientific research to help better understand the link between food and health. This has been demonstrated by a robust and carefully guided research program that started in 2005 to explore the potential health benefits of pure maple syrup," said Beaulieu. "We already know that maple has more than 100 bioactive compounds, some of which have anti-inflammatory properties. Brain health is the latest topic of exploration and we look forward to learning more about the potential benefits that maple syrup might have in this area."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that impairs daily functioning through gradual loss of memory. Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. According to the Alzheimer's Association, every 67 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's disease, a condition that currently cannot be cured, prevented or even slowed. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., afflicts 11 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 65 and carries with it an annual health care cost of $226 billion (2015 estimate).
Source : TOI
No comments:
Post a Comment