Aging and Antioxidants
Why are these problems occurring?
As the brain ages the number of healthy neurons or nerve cells is slowly but progressively declining. Over time, continuous damage from "oxidative stress" (a factor of aging made worse by environmental problems related to pollution, tobacco, excessive sunlight) can deteriorate overall brain function. This deterioration may affect your ability to respond to immediate needs like instant recall or prompt decision-making. Even though symptoms of brain aging may not appear in the early senior years, your brain may be slowly losing these capabilities. In severe cases, these symptoms may be a warning sign for slowly evolving Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
How can we slow or stop this process?
A Leading Role for Dietary Antioxidants
Research over recent years has begun to show that the brain ages mainly due to a combination of damaging oxidative stress and decreased amount of antioxidant defenses, often due to a diet lacking antioxidant-rich foods. High levels of reactive oxygen species (sometimes called "free radicals" that are produced by normal metabolism), left unchecked by sufficient dietary antioxidants can accelerate brain problems. Antioxidants are thought to neutralize these damaging free radicals, helping to prevent further cell and tissue damage. This idea is leading to further research about brain aging.
Many studies have shown that individuals who consume a regular intake of colorful fruits and vegetables may reduce their risk for developing age-related disorders. Research from the laboratory of Dr. Jim Joseph, US Department of Agriculture, Boston, suggests that dietary supplementation with fruit or vegetable extracts high in antioxidants (e.g. blueberry or spinach extracts called phenolics or carotenoids) might decrease our vulnerability to oxidative stress that occurs with aging.
These findings imply that regular consumption of antioxidant-rich foods could beneficially affect three primary conditions determining Alzheimer's disease:
1) Inflammation
2) Production of damaging free radicals
3) Neuronal signaling and transmission defects
Such an effect remains an untested but promising hypothesis for human clinical trials.
This research also forms a reasonable and simple basis for making dietary recommendations to seniors. In other words, include colorful plant foods in each day's diet to promote slow and healthy aging.
Reading
* PubMed, online database of the US National Library of Medicine, http://pubmed.gov
* Joseph JA, Shukitt-Hale B, Casadesus G. Reversing the deleterious effects of aging on neuronal communication and behavior: beneficial properties of fruit polyphenolic compounds. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jan;81(1 Suppl):313S-316S.
* Galli RL, Shukitt-Hale B, Youdim KA, Joseph JA. Fruit polyphenolics and brain aging: nutritional interventions targeting age-related neuronal and behavioral deficits. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 Apr;959:128-32.
* Joseph JA, Shukitt-Hale B, Denisova NA, Bielinski D, Martin A, McEwen JJ, Bickford PC. Reversals of age-related declines in neuronal signal transduction, cognitive, and motor behavioral deficits with blueberry, spinach, or strawberry dietary supplementation. J Neurosci. 1999 Sep 15;19(18):8114-21.
* Joseph JA, Denisova NA, Bielinski D, Fisher DR, Shukitt-Hale B. Oxidative stress protection and vulnerability in aging: putative nutritional implications for intervention. Mech Ageing Dev. 2000 Jul 31;116(2-3):141-53.
* Lau FC, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. The beneficial effects of fruit polyphenols on brain aging. Neurobiol Aging. 2005 Dec;26 Suppl 1:128-32.
Copyright 2006 Berry Health Inc.
Related Tags: aging, benefits of antioxidants, alzheimers disease, healthy aging, oxidative stress, parkinsons
Dr. Paul Gross is a scientist and expert on cardiovascular and brain physiology. A published researcher, Gross recently completed a book on the Chinese wolfberry and has begun another on antioxidant berries. Gross is founder of Berry Health Inc, a developer of nutritional, berry-based supplements. For more information, visit http://www.berrywiseonline.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Collagen Vs. Aging: Which One You Like?
For some people, growing old does not only mean wisdom and experience, but also wrinkles and lines o - Can Hgh Supplements Make You Younger?
Medical science has discovered several reasons why people grow older and then die and two of the mai - Shopping For a Natural Skin Cream?
You really need to be sure that the natural skin cream you are thinking of purchasing truly contains - How To Look Younger When You Are Getting Older
As well as the natural affects of aging, skin is constantly exposed to weather damage, pollution and - Tips For Your Anti-Aging Needs
Smoking and drinking became part of a great number of individuals lifestyle nowadays. For decades, m - Three Anti Aging Skin Care Steps to Your Most Youthful and Beautiful Facial Complexion
As time marches on, you can begin to see the effects of aging on your facial skin. Your most youthfu - 2 Simple Questions to Ask About the Best Wrinkle Remover
You won't find the best wrinkle remover on sale here at this website. But, if you read this article, - A Unique Wrinkle Cream Comparison
Here's a wrinkle cream comparison that's unique. Most reviewers compare brand names based on arbitra - Easy Tips to Preserve Your Youthful Look-Why Beauty Isn't Always Skin Deep
When you were young, you couldn't wait to get old. Now that you're getting old, you want to stay you - Is Solar Genesis Effective?
Before trying to figure out whether solar genesis would work, let's try to understand what solar gen
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Anti-Aging FAQ: Skin Care And Anti-Aging
* Can diet and exercise prevent wrinkles? Yes! Besides overexposure to sun, unhealthy habits like e - Antiaging Skin Care Tips
It's a fact of life, no matter how much we try to deny it - as we get older, our body ages. It cann - How Much Do You Know About Aging And Long-term Care Insurance?
While aging individuals aren't the only people who find themselves in need of long-term care, indivi - Searching for the Ultimate Antiaging Skincare Product
It may seem unbelievable but in my search for the secret to the best antiaging skincare product, I f - Baby Boomer, Babies No More
All you can hear are voices, and everything seems to be going too fast. You slowly see a bright ligh - Alternative To Botox
However, you will want to make yourself as knowledgeable on each Botox alternative as you can, so th - Stop Wrinkles - Wear Your Frownies
A while back I was standing in a store checkout line waiting my turn when I spotted a magazine featu - Toward Berry Good Aging
As Canadians live longer and pay more attention to diet and healthy lifestyles, those in middle to u - The Anti-Aging Diet
As we age, we are faced with a reduced metabolism, memory loss, wrinkles, increased risk for chronic - Is Anti-Aging Action In Red Wine And Resveratrol Real?
Results of various studies have indicated that daily consumption of three to five glasses of red win