Ashwagandha is a small evergreen perennial plant that can reach a height of almost 5 meters. Common names for this plant are winter cherry, Indian ginseng, and the Latin name is Vithanie Somnifera.
Ashwagandha grows exclusively in India and is an anthropogenic plant also part of the Indian medical system for several millennia and is considered a miracle plant in medicine. Scientists claim that this plant is very effective in reducing stress and also improves energy and vitality.
It is currently the subject of research by many scientists worldwide to prove its therapeutic value in several dozen types of various severe and mild diseases. Currently, some of them include evidence that this plant can reduce some of the devastating consequences of Alzheimer’s disease.
Can ashwagandha cure Alsheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is currently taking epidemic forms. It affects as many as 5.4 million Americans, including those over 65. This disease is associated with degeneration and extinction of brain cells, which leads to a permanent loss of intellectual and social skills and eventually to death itself.
Researchers from National Brain Research Institute (NBRC) are conducting studies on mice that indicate that Ashwagandha extract can reverse memory loss and improve people’s cognitive abilities with Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, mice suffering from Alzheimer’s disease could not learn anything or keep what they learned, but after taking the Ashvagandha plant for 20 days, their condition significantly improved. After 30 days, the condition of the mice returned to normal.
The researchers noticed: reduction of amyloid plaques (amyloid plaques together with entangled nerve fibers contribute to the degradation of brain cells). The improved cognitive ability affects the brain directly.
Researchers have also found that this plant increases a protein in the liver that is secreted directly into the bloodstream and helps improve brain function. It has also been found that somniferous and Ashvagandha plants reverse behavioral changes in Alzheimer’s patients.
More promising research of Ashvaganda plants on Alzheimer’s disease patients
A previous study is not the only evidence of improved brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2005, researchers found that withanolides (withanolide A, withanolide 4 and 6) isolated from the Ashvagandha plant improved neurite outgrowth in normal and damaged brain cells.
This is a key component of treating the disease. Reconstruction of neural networks is required in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. After the second study in 2010, it was concluded that natural antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene could help collect harmful free radicals formed during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This was research on plants’ potential properties as natural antioxidants to prevent the progression of this disease.
Another plant helps people with Alzheimer’s disease
Compound curcumin, which is found in the spice turmeric, is another important plant that helps healthier brain processes. It has recently been discovered that this compound effectively prevents the circulation of some proteins that help the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Curcumin has also been shown to help prevent the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brain and break down existing plaques. This compound has been shown to affect more than 700 genes.
How to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Increase your vitamin D intake
In 2007, researchers at the University of Wisconsin discovered strong links between low vitamin D levels and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have also found that with a higher intake of vitamin D in patients, patients perform many brain surgeries better than they did before taking them.
Scientists believe that optimal vitamin D levels can increase the number of important biomolecules in your brain that protect your brain cells. Metabolic pathways Vitamin D includes the hippocampus and cerebellum, areas involved in breading, information processing, and memory formation.
Enough vitamin D is imperative for your immune system’s normal functioning against inflammation in the body. Previous studies have found that people with Alzheimer’s disease have a higher level of inflammation in the brain than healthy people.
Fructose
The ideal intake is below 25 grams per day. It has a toxic effect. It is also important to reduce the intake to reduce the brain’s toxicity. The average person exceeds this recommendation by 300%. This is an all-present and serious problem. Besides, your liver is busy processing fructose (it converts fructose into fat). This is one of the important aspects and why increased fructose intake can have a detrimental effect on your health.
Keep insulin levels below 3 levels
This is an indirect relationship to fructose intake. Also other sugars, grains and lack of exercise are the cause of increased insulin in the body.
Vitamin B12
According to a Finnish scientist study, people who consume foods rich in vitamin B12 can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For each increase in markers of vitamin B12, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is reduced by 2%. Very high doses of B vitamins reduce memory loss.
Vegetarian diet
A strict vegetarian diet increases the risk, while a vegetarian diet rich in omega 3 reduces the risk. Vegetables are the biggest folate source, and we should all eat enough raw vegetables every day.
High intake of omega 3 fatty acids
High intake of omega 3 fatty acids prevents cell damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which also slows its progression and reduces the risk of developing the disorder.
Other things that affect Alzheimer’s disease
– Avoid and remove mercury from your body. Dental fillings are one of the main sources of mercury in the body.
– Avoid aluminum such as Teflon cookware.
– Exercise regularly. Exercise causes a change in the amyloid precursor protein’s metabolic process, which slows down the appearance and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise also increases the level of PGC-1 alpha protein. New research shows that people with Alzheimer’s disease have less PGC1 alpha in the brain, and cells that contain more of this protein produce less toxic amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
– Avoid vaccination against influenza because vaccines of this type contain mercury and aluminum. Also, these vaccines affect the immune system so that the immune system attacks simultaneously—The nerve system.
– Eat blueberries. Wild blueberries contain a high concentration of antioxidants. They also contain anthocyanin, which protects the body from Alzheimer’s disease.
– Stimulate your mind every day. Mental stimulation, especially learning, acquiring new knowledge such as playing a new instrument or logical sports such as chess, learning a new language reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
– Avoid anticholinergic drugs, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and narcotic analgesics because they block neurotransmitters and increase the risk of dementia
