Olive oil component could avert Alzheimer’s

Olive oil component could avert Alzheimer’s

By Jane Byrne, 20-Oct-2009

Related topics: Nutritional lipids and oils, Cognitive and mental function

A compound in extra virgin olive oil could deter proteins from disrupting nerve cell function that causes the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease.

In findings published in the journal Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, US scientists explain how this naturally occurring compound, oleocanthal, beneficially alters the structure of highly toxic proteins known as ADDLs.

The researchers explain that ADDLs bind within the neural synapses of the brains of Alzheimer's patients and are believed to directly disrupt nerve cell function, eventually leading to memory loss, cell death and global disruption of brain function.

‘Binding of ADDLs to nerve cell synapses is thought to be a crucial first step in the initiation of Alzheimer's disease,’ said the lead research William L. Klein.

‘Oleocanthal alters ADDL structure in a way that deters the protein from binding to synapses.

For the rest of this article: http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Olive-oil-component-could-avert-...