How about it .... :
October 18, 1999
You have probably heard the saying:
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Now, because of new research published in the Journal of Neuroscience
(September 15,
1999), we may have a new saying:
"A cup of blueberries a day keeps neurological problems
away."
Scientists who published this new research found that old rats who had
blueberry supplements added to their diets showed
improved balance and memory. The amount of blueberries was equivalent to about
one cup per day for humans.
Blueberries, as well as other fruits and
vegetables, may have special
properties that reverse some signs of
aging. These foods are high in
chemicals that act as antioxidants.
Antioxidants are used by the body to
fight free radicals. Free radicals are
produced when cells convert oxygen to energy. A few
free radicals are not
dangerous, but too many can damage cell membranes, proteins and DNA. This may
kill the cell. One theory proposes that
too many free radicals are responsible for the problems associated with aging.
In the new research, "elderly" rats (19 months old) were fed blueberry,
strawberry or spinach
supplements for 8 weeks. Rats that received the fruit and vegetable diets
(especially the blueberry
supplement) performed better on balance, coordination and memory tasks
compared to rats that did
not receive the supplements.
It is unclear exactly how the blueberries worked to reverse
signs of aging and experiments in
humans are necessary to see if the results are the same as in
rats. Nevertheless, these findings
suggest that new treatments for neurological disorders like
Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's
disease may be just around the corner...perhaps in the fruit
and vegetable section of your
grocery store!
Reference:
1.Joseph, J.A., Shukitt-Hale, B., Denisova, N.A., Bielinski, D., Martin, A.,
McEwen, J.J. and Bickford, P.C. Reversals
of age-related declines in neuronal signal transduction, cognitive, and
motor behavioral deficits with blueberry, spinach,
or strawberry dietary supplementation, J. Neuroscience, 19:8814-8121, 1999.
--
Cheers,
+----| Joao Paulo de Carvalho |------ +
| [log in to unmask] |
+--------| Salvador-Bahia-Brazil |------+
