An apple a day keeps the doctor away, yes; but researchers say it could also keep brain degenerating disease away as well//. Apple and apple juice were found to boost brain activity in much the same manner as medicines by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML). The animal research found that consuming apple juice might increase the production in the brain of the essential neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This in turn helps memory.

Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine are chemicals released from nerve cells that transmit messages to other nerve cells. Such communication between nerve cells is vital for good health, not just in the brain, but throughout the body.

"We anticipate that the day may come when foods like apples, apple juice and other apple products are recommended along with the most popular Alzheimer's medications," says Thomas Shea, Ph.D., director of the UML Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research.

The study will be published in the August issue of the international Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. The abstract is now available online at http://www.j-alz.com/issues/9/vol9-3.html.

The role of acetylcholine in the brain is not a new area of research. Alzheimer's medication studies start with the premise that increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the brain can help to slow mental decline in people with Alzheimer's disease. Testing a similar hypothesis, the UML research team found that having animals consume antioxidant-rich apple juice had a comparable and beneficial effect.

In this novel animal study at UML, adult (9-12 months) and old (2-2.5 years) mice, some specially bred to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms, were fed three different diets (a standard diet, a nutrient-deficient diet, and a nutrient-deficient diet supplemented with apple components (in this case, apple juice concentrate was added to their drinking water).

Among those f
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Apples keep lung disease away
2. An Apple A Day Can Do More Than Just Keeping The Doctor Away
3. Apple Accused Of Causing Hearing Impairment
4. Organic Farming May Increase The Output Of Apples In Himachal
5. Pick Apples for Good Neurological Health, Says New Research
6. Eat Apple During Pregnancy to Protect Baby from Asthma
7. Juices are Best! but which one?
8. Pomegranate Juice May Be The Next Best Thing For People With Heart Disease
9. Pomegranate Juice Is Helpful In Arresting Osteoarthritis
10. Pomegranate Juice Consumption May Improve Myocardial Ischemia
11. Drinking Real Juice Doesnt Cause Obesity In Children