Carriers of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene variant face a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease, yet practical ways to reduce that inherited vulnerability are limited. Researchers of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) trial analyzed whether carotenoids, natural pigments abundant in fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach, might be one such lever. They focused on a group of 442 adults aged 65 and older who were overweight or obese, had a family history of Alzheimer's disease, followed diets that didn't meet the trial's healthy eat... alzheimer's brain carotenoids diet dementia
Read more[toc position='left'] Choline is an essential nutrient critical for various bodily functions, including brain development, liver health, and muscle function. It acts as a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory, attention, and muscle control. Choline also contributes to the synthesis of phospholipid membranes and serves as a source of methyl groups necessary for metabolic processes. While the body can produce small amounts of choline, most of it must come from the diet to meet physiological needs. The benefits of choline are wide-ranging. During pregnancy, adequate ch... brain blood-brain barrier alzheimer's acetylcholine
Read moreEggs are a dietary paradox: high in cholesterol but rich in brain-boosting nutrients, including choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin. While some studies indicate that eggs maintain cognitive health, others report the converse. A recent study found that eating eggs may help women preserve semantic memory—crucial for language comprehension and factual recall—as they age. Researchers analyzed data from 890 adults aged 55 and older. Participants reported their egg consumption using a food frequency questionnaire, and researchers measured their memory and thinking skills at two clinic visits about four ... brain diet aging cholesterol memory micronutrients
Read moreWhile brain aging is an inevitable part of growing older, lifestyle factors, particularly diet, can influence the rate at which this aging occurs. A recent study found that older adults with diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins demonstrate slower brain aging and better performance on cognitive tests. Researchers administered cognitive tests and brain imaging scans to 100 healthy older adults. They also measured 13 nutrition-related biomarkers in the participants' blood. They identified two brain aging patterns among the participants, with one group exhibiting acceler... nutrition diet aging omega-3 mental health vitamin e dementia
Read moreHigher blood levels of antioxidant compounds called carotenoids may lower a person's risk of having high blood pressure, a 2022 study found. The greatest risk-lowering benefit was seen with the carotenoid compound beta-carotene, which cut the risk of having high blood pressure in half. The study involved more than 11,000 adults enrolled in NHANES (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/about_nhanes.htm), an ongoing assessment of the health and nutritional status of people living in the United States. Researchers measured the levels of six carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxa... diet blood pressure antioxidant carotenoids
Read more[toc position='left'] Carotenoids are orange/yellow pigments in various foods, such as carrots, pumpkins, avocados, and salmon. While carotenoids are a highly diverse group of organic pigments, with over 1,100 known carotenoids [ref doi='10.1093/database/bax004'], this overview will focus on lutein and zeaxanthin, which are of particular interest due to their notable roles in eye and brain health. Carotenoids are one of the most common classes of bioactive compounds found in plants, along with alkaloids (e.g., berberine), organosulfur compounds (e.g., sulforaphane), and polyphenols (e.g., anth... carotenoids cholesterol eyes antioxidant
Read moreAge-related macular degeneration is an eye disease characterized by vision loss in the center of the field of vision. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults worldwide and is often accompanied by marked losses of autonomy, independence, and quality of life (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1780057/). Findings from a recent study suggest that eating goji berries may prevent or delay age-related macular degeneration. The macula is the portion of the retina directly behind the pupil. Due to pigmentation from high levels of the antioxidant carotenoids, lutein and... eyes antioxidant
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