Alzheimer’s: The Critical Role of Dependence Receptors and Why Taking Supplements Is Such A Good Idea

Alzheimer’s is often described as a disease of progressive plaque formation and of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, but long before the first plaque forms, a little known cellular process plays a crucial role.  That process involves a discovery in 1992 of something called a dependence receptor whose role in Alzheimer’s and other diseases is now fully proven, yet little known outside the high priesthood of research.  The discovery, not even 30 years ago, of the first dependence receptor pulled back the curtains on a process with profound implications for our understanding of how Alzheimer’s begins and progresses.  That said, you will be forgiven if the title didn’t tip you off to the groundbreaking discovery inside.  “Induction of apoptosis by the low-affinity NGF receptor” appeared in the journal Science in July 1993 and while the idea of a receptor certainly wasn’t new, the manner in which this receptor functions was completely different.  Note – Even though the article was published 2 years after the breakup of the Soviet Union you still can’t read it for free.

Receptors before 1992

Cells constantly monitor their internal […]

By |2019-12-05T17:02:32+00:00December 3rd, 2019|Causes and Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment|Comments Off on Alzheimer’s: The Critical Role of Dependence Receptors and Why Taking Supplements Is Such A Good Idea

Just What Is Omega-3

Known primarily as the beneficial component of fish oil, Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) come in different varieties and sources.  I don’t know about the stuffed shirts, but I like to say “poof-a.”  I will probably work poof-a into conversation a number of times this week.  Anywho, the PUFAs we call omega-3 have shown a lot of promise for neuroprotection, which we will look at in future articles.  Here and now, we try to better understand something we’ve been hearing about for years.

Let’s Talk About Fat

Triglycerides.  Our body fat is made of triglycerides.  Triglycerides are also found floating in our blood.  Triglycerides are made from a backbone of glycerol (also called glycerin) and 3 to 4 fatty acids.  Glycerol is a colorless, odorless, sweet, and non-toxic liquid.  Fatty acids are where all the variety comes in.

Fatty acids are usually 16, 18, or 20 carbon atoms long and most importantly fatty acids are either saturated or unsaturated.

Saturated.  Imagine 16 people (carbon atoms really) holding hands as a chain.  Each person is touching the person next to them only once (hand in hand).  Each person in this chain is […]

By |2018-01-29T10:31:24+00:00January 29th, 2018|Prevention and Treatment|3 Comments

Eat Curry Avoid Alzheimer’s: UCLA Study of Curcumin Shows Improved Memory and Reduced Brain Pathology

Compared to placebo, the curcumin group showed significant improvement for primary verbal memory, primary visual memory and measure of attention.  PET scans showed strong evidence that amyloid beta deposits and tau tangles in the amygdala declined significantly in the curcumin group.  Furthermore, deposits and tangles in the hypothalmus of the placebo group showed a significant increase after 18 months, but the curcumin group was spared this unfortunate result.

By |2018-01-25T14:04:53+00:00January 25th, 2018|Prevention and Treatment|2 Comments
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