Summary The brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease have an abundance of amyloid plaques, made up of protein fragments. The excessive accumulation of these proteins is believed to be a key mechanism responsible for brain cell death in Alzheimer’s disease. The present study aimed to identify flavonoids (naturally occurring compounds) that could inhibit amyloid plaques-induced…
Summary This study determined if vitamin E, the drug memantine, or a combination of both slow the progression of Alzheimer´s disease. 613 patients affected by Alzheimer´s disease received either vitamin E, memantine, vitamin E and memantine combined, or a placebo. It was discovered that vitamin E administration led to a slower progression of the disease.…
Summary Because of its ability to form brain plaques, the amyloid β-protein is believed to play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This study evaluated the effects of arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, on the deposition of amyloid β-proteins in the brain. For 9 months, mice were treated with a diet…
Summary This study analyzed the relationship between blood levels of vitamin E and dementia. Blood levels of vitamin E were investigated in 1033 participants aged 65 years and older. The results showed that higher vitamin E blood levels can provide significant protection against mental impairment and dementia in elderly people. Further details can be found…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between blood levels of vitamin E and mental (cognitive) function. Blood levels of vitamin E were investigated in 168 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, 166 people with mild cognitive impairment (a precursor to Alzheimer’s dementia) and 187 participants with normal mental function. It appeared that low blood levels of vitamin…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of thiamine (vitamin B1) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Patients received either vitamin B1 or an ineffective placebo for 3 months. 11 participants completed the study. The results demonstrated that vitamin B1 supplementation improved the mental function of Alzheimer’s patients, as compared to those taking a placebo. More details…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vitamin B supplementation on dementia, which is a broad category of brain diseases that cause a decline in mental ability. Data from elderly people were analyzed, revealing that B-vitamin supplementation can slow the shrinking of brain regions that are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and that are associated with…
Summary This study investigated blood levels of vitamins and carotenoids in Alzheimer’s patients. Data from patients with Alzheimer’s disease were compared with data from participants without the disease. The results showed that Alzheimer’s patients had significantly lower levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene. In view of this result, the present study is a…
Summary Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants (i.e. vitamin E). The present study evaluated whether oxidative stress has a role in the progression of cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. Data from 70 patients with mild…
Summary Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated or “essential” fatty acids that occur in both foods of animal origin (oily fish) and foods of plant origin (vegetable oils, seaweed, certain nuts and seeds). This study was conducted with older individuals to evaluate the relationship between levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood and brain function.…
Summary This study investigated the effects of the natural compound inositol in patients with Alzheimer´s disease. The symptoms associated with this disease include difficulties with memory, language, thinking, orientation, and others. 11 patients were treated with inositol or with glucose for one month. The results showed that inositol significantly improved language and orientation in Alzheimer’s…
Summary Homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood, is a risk factor for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a possible early stage of dementia that can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes. This study evaluated whether blood levels of homocysteine can be lowered by…
Summary This study determined the relationship between dietary intake of vitamin D and dementia. 498 women without dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias were included. The intakes of vitamin D from the diet were estimated by food questionnaires. The results showed that higher intakes of vitamin D were associated with a lower risk of developing…
Summary This study investigated the association between blood levels of vitamin E and the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease among older individuals. 232 people without dementia were followed-up to 6 years to detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The investigation revealed that high blood levels of vitamin E were associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease…
Summary This review collected scientific studies on the effects of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on brain function. A large number of studies has reported beneficial effects of dietary DHA supplementations on memory and cognition. In this publication, the authors described the important potential of DHA to preserve neuronal and brain functions. They…
Summary Homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood, represents a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. This study evaluated the relationship among homocysteine, Alzheimer’s disease and levels of B vitamins in the blood. 266 participants with cognitive (mental) impairment were given either folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 or a placebo for 2 years.…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between blood levels of vitamin C and senile dementia, which describes the impairment of cognitive function in elderly people. Vitamin C levels were measured in healthy participants and compared with the vitamin C levels of patients with senile dementia. It turned out that senile dementia patients had very low…
Summary This study examined the effects of the natural compound pycnogenol (pine bark extract) in healthy people. For 3 months, 101 elderly participants were given a daily dose of 150 mg of pycnogenol. At the beginning, during and end of the treatment, the participants completed different mental tasks, comprising memory tests and other measures. The…
Summary This study evaluated the efficacy of a commonly used medical drug (selegiline) and vitamins in treating Alzheimer´s disease. A total of 341 patients received selegiline, vitamin E, both selegiline and vitamin E or a placebo for two years. It was found that both selegiline and vitamin E were effective in slowing the progression of…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between blood levels of vitamin D and Alzheimer´s disease. Data were collected from 318 participants. The results showed that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were associated with Alzheimer´s disease. Further details can be found in the study. References J S Buell, B Dawson-Hughes, T M Scott, D E Weiner, G E Dallal, W Q…
Summary This study analyzed the effects of the standard treatment of hepatitis (pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin) on the blood levels of specific micronutrients (i.e. B vitamins and iron). 152 healthy participants and 109 patients with hepatitis C, an inflammatory disease of the liver, were investigated. The results revealed that hepatitis treatment depleted micronutrient levels…
Summary This publication collected scientific studies on blood concentrations of vitamin D in patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders. The researchers discovered that low blood levels of vitamin D (hypovitaminosis D) are common among patients with gastrointestinal and liver disease. More details can be found in the study. References Helen M Pappa, Elana Bern, Daniel Kamin, Richard J…
Summary This study investigated the relationship between vitamin D blood levels and liver disease. Data were collected from 100 patients with liver disorders. The results revealed that the study participants had low levels of vitamin D in their blood. It was thus concluded that the management of liver disease should include the assessment – and…
Summary This study investigated the effects of the natural compound silybin-phospholipids and vitamin E in 40 patients. The results showed that vitamin E and silybin-phospholipids had protective and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with liver disease. More details can be found in the study. References Katia Falasca, Claudio Ucciferri, Paola Mancino, Ester Vitacolonna, Domenico De Tullio, Eligio Pizzigallo, Pio Conti, Jacopo Vecchiet …
Summary Cadmium is a widely distributed toxic trace metal. When exposed to this element, it can cause severe damage to the liver. This study evaluated the effects of antioxidants against cadmium-induced liver toxicity. The experiments were performed with rats. For 8 days, the animals were given cadmium and – 1 hour prior to the treatment…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of carnitine on liver regeneration. The experiments were performed with rats that were given either carnitine or no treatment after hepatectomy (resection of the liver by surgical operation). The results showed that carnitine increased the regeneration of the liver. Further details can be found in the study. References O…
Summary This study examined the effects of catechins (tea compounds) against hepatitis, the inflammation of the liver. The experiments were performed with ducklings which were given either catechins or no treatment. The results showed that tea catechins had significant protective effects against hepatitis. More details can be found in the study. References J Li, L Zhou, Y…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between blood levels of antioxidants (beta-carotene, retinol, vitamin E and vitamin C) and hepatitis A in children. Data from 19 hepatitis A patients and 29 healthy children were analyzed. The results showed that hepatitis A patients had significantly reduced blood levels of antioxidants, which are related to oxidative stress,…
Summary This study evaluated the protective effect of selenium and zinc against oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body´s antioxidant defenses). The experiments were performed with rats that received cadmium, zinc and selenium in their drinking water for a period of 35 days. The results showed that selenium and zinc together protected…
Summary This study investigated the effects of the amino acid glutamine, either alone or combined with vitamin E, against ischemia-reperfusion of the liver, a condition that damages organs and tissues and is an important cause of liver damage. The experiments were performed with rats. The researchers discovered that both glutamine and vitamin E showed protective…
Summary This study evaluated vitamin K and vitamin D concentrations in patients with liver disorders. Data from 90 patients was analyzed. The results revealed that vitamin K and vitamin D deficiencies are common in these patients, thus indicating the need for an appropriate supplementation. Further details can be found in the study. References Leon Fisher, Elizabeth…
Summary This study examined the efficacy of a vitamin D supplementation in liver disease patients who are at very high risk of vitamin D deficiency. 150 patients with chronic liver disease were investigated. The results showed that the tested vitamin D supplementation was effective in decreasing vitamin D deficiencies in these patients. Further details can…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between liver diseases and blood levels of vitamins in children. Vitamins A, D and E were investigated in young patients with hepatitis and biliary atresia, a childhood disease of the liver in which the biliary system is compromised. The results showed that children suffering from these liver diseases had…
Summary The aim of this study was to determine zinc concentrations in the blood of children and adolescents with cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). 30 patients were investigated. The results showed that low zinc levels were common among children with cirrhosis. Therefore, the researchers pointed out that zinc supplementation should be considered for patients with…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of the amino acid glutamine on oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body´s antioxidant defenses) during ischemia-reperfusion of the liver. Ischemia-reperfusion is the restoration of blood flow to body tissues that were blood flow-deficient. Ischemia-reperfusion damages organs and tissues (e.g. increasing oxidative stress) and is often…
Summary The present study evaluated the relationship between blood levels of zinc and chronic liver disease in children. Data from 60 children suffering from chronic liver disease were compared with data from 30 healthy children. The results showed that children with chronic liver disease had lower levels of zinc, as compared to healthy children. The…
Summary This study examined the effects of the green tea extract epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on liver fibrosis (development of scar tissue in the liver). The experiments were performed using cells and rats. The results demonstrated that the administration of EGCG can be useful in the treatment and prevention of liver fibrosis. Further details can be…
Summary This study investigated the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound found in green tea, on hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). The study was conducted using mice with liver inflammation. Treatment with EGCG suppressed inflammation and was thereby able to protect against hepatitis. More details can be found in the study. References Y Wang, Y…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, a compound found in green tea) on liver fibrosis, which is the development of scar tissue in the liver in response to injury or disease. The experiments were performed with rats. The results showed that EGCG can be useful in the prevention and treatment of…
Summary This study examined the effects of zinc and carnosine in patients with liver disease. Polaprezinc, a complex of zinc and the natural compound carnosine, was administrated to 14 patients for 6 months. The results showed that polaprezinc had an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with liver disease. More details can be found in the study.…
Summary This study investigated the effects of vitamin supplementations on the antioxidant defenses of the liver, i.e. its ability to scavenge free radicals that cause cellular damage. The experiments were performed with rats that were given either vitamin C, vitamin E or vitamin C plus vitamin E for 28 days. The results showed that the…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound found in the green tea, on liver damage. The experiments were performed with rats. The results showed that EGCG prevents liver damage and can be useful in treating patients with liver diseases. Further details can be found in the study. References Jun-Won Yun, Young-Kyung…
Summary This study investigated the role of micronutrients, such as selenium, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), on liver injury. The experiments were performed with rats. The results suggested that supplementation with micronutrients can prevent the development of liver injury. Further details can be found in the study. References Tunc Catal, Sehnaz Bolkent…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vegetable oils (olive oil, corn oil and flaxseed oil), supplemented with vitamins, on liver diseases. The experiments were performed with rats that were given oils with or without vitamins C and E. The results showed that supplemented oils had beneficial effects on liver disease, i.e. by reducing cholesterol…
Summary This study examined the relationship among blood levels of B vitamins, liver cancer and oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body´s antioxidant defenses). To this end, the blood of 40 patients was analyzed. The results of the examination indicated that supplementing B vitamins can be beneficial in patients with liver cancer.…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on secondary biliary cirrhosis, a serious form of liver disease. The experiments were performed using 40 rats. The results showed that vitamin C supplementation had a protective effect on secondary biliary cirrhosis. Further details can be found in the study. References Cynthia R Matos…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of the natural compound betaine on liver diseases. The experiments were performed with rats. The results showed that betaine inhibited oxidative stress (imbalance between free radicals production and the body´s antioxidant defenses), which plays an important role in the development of liver injury. Further details can be found in…
Summary The present study investigated the effects of the natural compound betaine on the development of liver diseases. The experiments were performed with mice which were administered betaine in drinking water for 2 weeks. The results suggested that betaine can be protective against liver diseases. More details can be found in the study. References Sun…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of a nutrient mixture on liver injury. The nutrient mixture contained micronutrients such as lysine, proline, vitamin C, and green tea extract. For 2 weeks, mice were given either a regular diet or a diet supplemented with micronutrients. The results showed that the nutrient mixture can be useful in…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vitamin E on bone health. Male rats were given either vitamin E or no treatment for 4 months. The researchers found that the vitamin E supplementation resulted in an improved bone structure, which contributed to stronger bones. It was therefore suggested that vitamin E can be used as…