A new scientific work published in the magazineNeurochemical Researchsuggests thatwalnut extract(the dried fruit except its fiber) has protective effectsagainst oxidative stress and cell deathwhat are producedin the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
In a study coordinated by Abha Chauhan, director of the Neuroscientific Development Laboratory at the Institute for Basic Research on Developmental Disabilities in New York (United States), researchers analyzed whether walnut extract could protect against oxidative damage induced byAmyloid beta protein (A?) and cytotoxicity. The research findings were that this walnut extract reduces cell death caused by A? by reducing the generation of free radicals, reducing membrane damage and attenuating DNA damage. This effect of the walnut extract could be due to the active compounds present in walnuts, which can increase the capacity of endogenous antioxidant defenses and can modulate the redox (reduction-oxidation) cell state.
? Oxidative stress and inflammation are important features in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. TheWalnuts are a complete nutrient-dense food that not only provide antioxidants, but also alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), omega-3 fatty acids of plant origin. These components of walnuts offer anti-inflammatory properties and protect brain cells from oxidative damage, “says Chauhan. The finding represents a promising advance in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases, especially with regard to the consumption of certain foods that help maintain or improve cognitive health.
