A Danish study has revealed that a substance, found in three commonly eaten fruits, could alleviate symptoms linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease is initially characterized by memory problems.
- Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may be affected by mitochondrial dysfunction, which impairs their cognitive functions.
- According to Danish research, a substance contained in three fruits helps eliminate damaged mitochondria and improve memory.
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, which causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. No treatment can cure this condition. However, Danish researchers recently observed that a substance found in three fruits could improve cognitive functions.
A substance would promote the elimination of damaged mitochondria
Present in our cells, mitochondria are organelles responsible for energy production. However, this function is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease. “Many patients with neurodegenerative conditions have mitochondrial dysfunction, also known as mitophagy. This means that the brain has difficulty removing weak mitochondria, which accumulate and affect brain function”explained Vilhelm Bohr, affiliated professor at the department of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
Based on this observation, the researcher and his team discovered that urolithin A, a substance naturally present in pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts, could actively contribute to the elimination of damaged mitochondria in the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease: evaluation of urolithin A dosage
As part of this research, scientists evaluated the effects of urolithin A in mice affected by Alzheimer’s disease. “Our study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s Association, shows that urolithin A can alleviate memory impairment and other consequences of dementia (…) Although this research was conducted in mouse models, the outlook is positive.”said Vilhelm Bohr.
Currently, the Danish team does not know the amount of urolithin A required to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. “We cannot yet say anything conclusive about the dosage. But I imagine you need more than one fruit a day. However, the substance is already available in pill form, and we are currently trying to find the right dosage.”, underlined the researcher. However, further studies need to be done to ensure that this substance does not present significant side effects.
