Blueberries May Reverse Some Aging
September 16, 1999
The Medical Tribune
New research has shown that animals fed an antioxidant-rich diet
exhibited fewer age-related disorders than those given a normal diet.
The greatest benefit was seen from blueberry extracts, which actually
reversed age-related effects related to loss of balance and lack of
coordination, according to a study in the September 15 issue of the
Journal of Neuroscience. Older rats were fed 18.6 grams of blueberry
extract per kilogram of food intake daily, equivalent to one cup of
blueberries a day for humans.
The study was designed to test whether an antioxidant-rich diet could
reverse the effects of aging on neuronal and behavioral capacities.
Researchers, led by James Joseph of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston,
fed laboratory rats extracts of either spinach, strawberry or blueberry,
foods known to be high in antioxidants.
The scientists evaluated the animals in various categories such as
psychomotor skills, mental skills and oxidative stress. They discovered
that blueberry extracts had the greatest effects on reversing
age-related decline.
Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, byproducts of the
conversion of oxygen into energy that at high levels are toxic to cells
and tissues. If free radicals are not countered by antioxidants, they
cause oxidative stress which leads to cell damage.
Past studies have shown that strawberry and spinach extracts may prevent
the onset of age-related deficits, even having a beneficial effect on
cognitive behavior. Those studies suggested that phytochemicals present
in antioxidant-rich foods may have the ability to slow the aging
process.
It's not that hard to achieve the effects of the new study in humans,
according to Barbara Shukitt-Hale, research psychologist at Tufts and
member of the research team. "People would have to eat a cup of
blueberries, a spinach salad, or a cup of strawberries a day," she said.
She added that since blueberries were found to have the most benefit,
especially in terms of memory and coordination, researchers are
concentrating their ongoing studies on the fruit.
Their research has also posed possible treatment options for Alzheimer's
disease and PARKINSON'S disease. It is believed that oxidative stress
may be a significant cause of brain aging and other age-related
neurological illnesses.
Further, phytonutrients contained within the blueberry, particularly
flavonoids such as beta-carotene, have exhibited an anti-inflammatory
effect, which also may help in Alzheimer's and other disorders.
"We are looking at the different mechanisms [of flavonoids] now in order
to see their behaviors," Shukitt-Hale said, adding that researchers in
both Massachusetts and Canada are currently attempting to break down the
specific flavonoids to determine which components are most beneficial.
Scientists at the University of South Florida are also researching the
effects of a blueberry diet on Alzheimer's disease. However, a great
deal of Alzheimer's research is currently focused on proteins such as
beta-amyloid and tau, rather than on antioxidants.
"It's interesting," said William Thies, vice president of medical and
scientific affairs at the Alzheimer's Association, on reading the study,
"but it doesn't move me to make global recommendations."
As for combining antioxidant-rich diets with future drug treatments,
Thies said, "That's definitely possible," noting that it is now believed
that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in arthritis treatment
may help in Alzheimer's.
"Eating vegetables already has a strong public health message attached
to it," he said. "[Eating fruits and vegetables] is a solid
recommendation for virtually everybody."
Journal of Neuroscience (1999;19:8114-8121)
Copyright 1999 The Medical Tribune News Service.
©1996-1999 InteliHealth Inc.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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