A new study reveals that middle-aged women with high levels of homocysteine are twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease later on in life.
While homocysteine is needed for the metabolism, too much of it can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
Previous studies have looked at the link between homocysteine levels and dementia but have only had a follow-up of eight years. The newest study has a 35-year follow-up that may offer more definitive answers. Read the rest of this entry »
Those who enjoy exotic spices in their food may find a new health benefit with an ingredient in yellow that may help prevent diseases.
A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry is looking into nano-sized capsule made with curcumin, an ingredient that makes curry yellow, that could potentially help in fighting colon cancer, psoriasis and Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s been found that curcumin prevents melanoma cell growth by forcing the cells to destroy themselves. In addition to this, curcumin also works as a nutritional supplement for antioxidant effects. Read the rest of this entry »
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) report their success in solving the molecular structure of a key portion of a cellular receptor implicated in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other serious illnesses.
Assistant Professor Hiro Furukawa, Ph.D., and colleagues at CSHL, in cooperation with the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory, obtained crystal structures for one of several “subunits” of the NMDA receptor. This receptor, formally called the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, belongs to a family of cellular receptors that mediate excitatory nerve transmission in the brain. Excitatory signals represent the majority of nerve signals in most regions of the human brain. Read the rest of this entry »
High protein diets have been popular off and on since the 1960s, and are once again grabbing the attention of millions of people desperate to lose weight. But before you jump on the bandwagon, there are some things you might want to consider. High protein diets can produce a rapid initial weight loss, but most of this loss can be water rather than fat.
Additionally, many high protein diets are high in saturated fat and low in fiber, a combination that can increase cholesterol levels and raise the risk of heart disease and stroke. Read the rest of this entry »
Two potentially key genes linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease have been uncovered by UK researchers.
It is the first gene clue to the condition in 16 years and has prompted scientists to rethink their theories on how the disease develops.
The genes were pinpointed in a study of 16,000 DNA samples and are known to be implicated in inflammation and cholesterol breakdown.
It is hoped the Nature Genetics study will open the way for new treatments. Read the rest of this entry »
