Forgetfulness, difficulty finding words, and confusion about time and place. These are some of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
According to the World Health Organizationthe number of people living with dementia is increasing rapidly. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of people who will develop this disease will triple until reaching 139 million.
The Pasqual Maragall Foundation, dedicated to scientific research into Alzheimer’s disease, explains that it is a disease that generates a cognitive impairment important, “characterized by the memory leaklanguage alterations, loss of sense of orientation and difficulties in planning tasks or solving problems. This deterioration is usually accompanied by changes in personality and behavior”.
For now there is no treatment to stop its course, but medications that can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life of those affected. “These treatments tend to be particularly useful during the first years of the disease. Its effectiveness decreases with the progression of the disease to advanced stages,” the institution stated.
But there is good news. Researchers of the University of Copenhagen have discovered that a fruit can help. A substance found naturally in pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts may improve memory and treat Alzheimer’s disease, a report concluded.
“Our study in mouse models with Alzheimer’s shows that urolithin Awhich is a natural substance in pomegranates, can alleviate memory problems and other consequences of dementia“, he stated Vilhelm Bohrassociate professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen and previously department head at the US National Institute on Aging. The work was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
“Although the study was carried out in mouse models, the outlook is positive. So far, research has shown promising results for the substance in muscles and clinical trials in humans are being planned,” Bohr said.
Pomegranates are known for their high content of antioxidantsespecially polyphenols such as flavonoids and tannins. These compounds have powerful anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce inflammation in the body and protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, for this function it is a fruit recommended by Harvard Medical School.
The causes of Alzheimer’s are not known. As explained by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, in the brain of the affected people occur two types of very characteristic neurodegenerative lesions: the accumulation of plaques beta-amyloid protein and neurofibrillary tangles Tau protein.
“The first lesions typically begin in a region of the brain called hippocampuswhose correct functioning is crucial for the formation of new memories and learning. From there the lesions progressively spread to other areas of the brain,” they stated in the entity.
This damage may have started up to 15 or 20 years before the appearance of the first symptoms. “This is the phase known as the preclinical phase. This has led to understanding Alzheimer’s as a brain disease with a long period without symptoms, followed by progressive cognitive deterioration that, finally, leads to dementia,” the foundation described.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen had previously discovered that a specific molecule, nicotinamide riboside (NAD supplement), plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, since it actively helps remove damaged mitochondria from the brain.
“Many patients with neurodegenerative diseases experience mitochondrial dysfunction, also known as mythophagy. This means that the brain has difficulties eliminating weak mitochondriawhich accumulate and affect brain function. If you are able to stimulate the mitophagy process, eliminating weak mitochondria, very positive results can be obtained,” Bohr explained.
The results of the new study show that a substance found in pomegranates, urolithin A, eliminates weak mitochondria in the brain with the same effectiveness as the NAD supplement.
The study report noted: “Long-term urolithin A (UA) treatment significantly improved the learning, memory and olfactory function in different mice transgenic with AD. UA also reduced amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau pathologies and improved long-term potentiation. “UA induced mitophagy by increasing lysosomal functions.”
Researchers do not yet know how much urolithin A is needed to improve memory and relieve Alzheimer’s symptoms.
“We still cannot say anything conclusive about the dosebut I imagine it’s more than one grenade a day. However, the substance is already available in pill form and we are currently trying to find the right dosage,” Bohr said.
He also hopes that the substance can be used with preventive purposes without major side effects. “The advantage of working with a natural substance is reducing the risk of side effects. Several studies so far show that there are no serious side effects with NAD supplementation. Our knowledge about urolithin A is more limited, but, as I mentioned, clinical trials with urolithin A have been effective in muscle diseases and now we have to look at Alzheimer’s disease,” stated the professor.