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Are mushrooms the anti-Alzheimer's superfood?
Mushrooms could play a role in promoting brain health, a study claims
Researchers say the food increases production of the nerve growth factor
This regulates the growth and maintenance of certain nerve cells in the brain
Brain neurons are then protected from chemical substances and inflammation
Mushrooms could be the food that protects you from Alzheimer's disease, a new study claims.
Scientists have found that mushrooms contain contain bioactive compounds that could play a role in reducing or delaying the development of neurodegeneration.
It is estimated that as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and, worldwide, 42 million cases are expected by 2020.
Despite the advancement of medication, the management of these diseases has remained largely ineffective.
But new research shows that properties in certain edible and medicinal mushrooms could enhance nerve growth in the brain and protect against causes of age-related diseases.
The bioactive compounds found in mushrooms could play a role in reducing or delaying the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, a new study claims
Previous evidence has proven that mushrooms exhibit antioxidant, antitumor, antivirus, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic activities.
Mushrooms with anti-inflammatory properties may be used as functional foods to combating high blood pressure which contributes to many age-related chronic diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, according to researchers.
The study, conducted at the University of Malaysia, looked at the scientific information available on mushrooms with regards to their anti-dementia active compounds and/or pharmacological test results.
Scientists selected 11 different types of edible and medicinal mushrooms and studied their effects on mice and rat brains.
HOW TO DETECT ALZHEIMER'S
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and the ability to perform simple tasks.
It is the cause of 60 percent to 70 percent of cases of dementia.
The majority of people with Alzheimer's are age 65 and older.
More than five million Americans have Alzheimer's.
It is unknown what causes Alzheimer's. Those who have the APOE gene are more likely to develop late-onset Alzheimer's.
Signs and symptoms:
Difficulty remembering newly learned information
Disorientation
Mood and behavioral changes
Suspicion about family, friends and professional caregivers
More serious memory loss
Difficulty with speaking, swallowing and walking
Stage of Alzheimer's:
Mild Alzheimer's (early-stage) - A person may be able to function independently but is having memory lapses
Moderate Alzheimer's (middle-stage) - Typically the longest stage, the person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, or have sudden behavioral changes
Severe Alzheimer's disease (late-stage) - In the final stage, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation and, eventually, control movement
There is no known cure for Alzheimer's, but experts suggest physical exercise, social interaction and adding brain boosting omega-3 fats to your diet to prevent or slowdown the onset of symptoms.
They found that each mushroom increased production of the nerve growth factor (NGF) - a molecule primarily involved in regulating growth, maintenance, proliferation and survival of certain nerve cells in the brains.
In turn, this promoted in rats peripheral nerve regeneration - the network of motor and sensory nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord.
Because the mushrooms stimulate NGF production, this could protect neurons from chemical substances that cause cell death, the researchers say.
Specific mushrooms were also found to have particular brain health benefits.
Cordyceps, considered to be a medicinal mushroom in classical Asian pharmacology, prevented neuronal cell death and memory loss due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The Lion's Mane mushroom, a rare edible used for culinary and medicinal purposes in China and Japan, was shown to have positive effects on mild cognitive impairment.
And the Reishi mushroom, long considered to be a superior herbal remedy, showed evidence of improving cognitive abilities and increased longevity.
Nevertheless, scientists say the effects of mushrooms on brain and cognition health are in their early stages of research compared with plant and herbal medicine, which is already widely explored and relatively more advanced.
Such past research has focused on two herbs, periwinkle and ginseng, both of which have been proven to boost cognitive function.
Scientists have also discovered that one of the active essential oils that gives rosemary its favorable scent improves speed and accuracy when performing certain mental tasks.
Dr Sampath Parthasarathy, editor-in-chief of Journal of Medicinal Food where the study appeared, said: 'In contrast to the body of literature on food ingredients that may benefit cardiometabolic diseases and cancer, very few studies have focused on food that may benefit neurodegenerative diseases.
'The current study might stimulate the identification of more food materials that are neuroprotective.'
The researchers concluded that, because of the rising number of those with dementia and other related diseases, it is 'vital' to keep exploring foods that contain health-giving additives and that have medicinal benefit.
Source: Daily Mail