According to research, there are new findings that imply that a chemical in pomegranates may have the capability to slow degenerative diseases including Parkinson and Alzheimer. This finding was deducted by the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England.
When brain cells are inflamed to the point that they cannot function and communicate, this causes Alzheimer and other forms of dementia. In the long term, the cells die and the condition becomes irreversible. This disease affects 44milliomn people and more across the globe. In the United States, it has been rated number six in the diseases that lead to death. It has been noted that those who are diagnosed with the disease are expected to live to about eight years more. In other cases, there are individuals who beat the odds and stay up to twenty years longer after their diagnosis.
Though this disease has been under research for years, there has not been a cur for it. The doctors only control it by providing medication for minimize it symptoms and slow down its progression.
Dr. Olumayokun Olajide led a two year research that brought forth positive findings for patients suffering from neurological illnesses like cancer, Alzheimer, Parkinson’s, and dementia. Dr. Olajide is a specialist in the study of herbs and natural substances.
He took up the study from his childhood lifestyle after noticing his mother and other mothers used herbs to treat their children. As a grownup, he then decided to study phamacology. He attained his PhD from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. This was after he investigated effects of natural products due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
During research, the doctor and four of his colleagues separated brain cells on rats. The results indicate that punicalagin has the capability to slow inflammation in microglia.
Research also indicates that the consumption of foods rich in polyphenol antioxidants go a long way into preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.
By decreasing neuroinflammation, you will be slowing down memory loss in the part of your brain known as the frontal lobe. It has the responsibility to store and manipulate information in the short term which is required in the learning process. This section is mostly affected by Alzheimer’s.
Blueberries contain the antioxidants properties in their skin and not its fleshy inner part. Though it still remains a puzzle on the quantity of the pomegranate antioxidants required for the treatment to be effective, the research team is sure that production of compound derivatives of punicalagin is the foundation of creating drugs that would cure neuroinflammation.
If you are looking to slow memory loss, confusion or other dementia symptoms, adopt the consumption of 100% pomegranate juices. Dr. Olajide’s findings are to be published in the journal, Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
Pomegranate health benefits
Other than its anti-inflammatory properties, pomegranate also reduces cholesterol. This is through the inhibition of inflammatory activity. This is more common in mast cells located in connective tissue. They result to production of histamine due to allergic reactions and inflammation.
It can also boost your mood due to the presence of phytochemicals. These as indicated by the Natural News stimulate estrogen and serotonin receptors which will help you control sadness and depression. Other researchers advocate for daily consumption of blueberries to help fight chemical imbalances in your brain.
Additional sources:
http://www.alz.org
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.hud.ac.uk
http://ajcn.nutrition.org