A new study conducted at the University of Copenhagen has found that a substance naturally found in foods like pomegranates, strawberries, and walnuts can enhance memory and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is commonly associated with symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty finding words, and confusion about time and place. This research suggests that the natural substance may offer promising benefits for those affected by the disease.The research on mice with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) indicates that urolithin A, found in pomegranates, can improve memory problems and other symptoms of dementia. This is encouraging news for patients with dementia, as it is a challenging disease to treat. Although the study was done on mice, the findings are promising and offer hope for future treatments.
The substance in the muscles, and clinical trials on humans are being planned.”
Substance improves brain function
Researchers have found that nicotinamide riboside (NAD supplement) plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by helping to remove damaged mitochondria from the brain. Patients with these diseases often experience mitochondrial dysfunction, which makes it difficult for the brain to get rid of weak mitochondria, a process known as mitophagy.
Accumulate and impact brain function. If you can activate the mitophagy process, eliminating weak mitochondria, you will observe very positive outcomes,” Vilhelm Bohr explains.
The findings of the recent study indicate that a compound discovered in pomegranates, urolithin A, eliminates weak mitochondria from the brain with the same effectiveness as NAD supplement.
Potential preventive impact
The researchers are still uncertain about the amount of urolithin A needed to enhance memory and relieve symptoms of conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
“We still cannot make any definitive statements about the dosage. But I assume that it is more than just eating a pomegranate.””Currently, we are investigating the potential of consuming one pomegranate a day. However, the substance is already available in pill form, and we are currently trying to determine the appropriate dosage,” Vilhelm Bohr explains. He also has high hopes that the substance can be used for preventative purposes with minimal side effects. “The advantage of working with a natural substance is the decreased risk of side effects. Several studies have shown that NAD supplementation does not pose serious side effects. Our knowledge of urolithin A is more limited, but as I mentioned, clinical trials with Urolithin A have been effective in treating muscular disease, and now we need to investigate its potential for Alzheimer’s disease,” he adds.”If we want to consume something in the future to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, which is a topic of much discussion, it is crucial to ensure that there are no significant side effects.”
