People with Alzheimer’s disease usually forget things, cannot find proper words while speaking and get confused about time and place. But researchers from the University of Copenhagen conducted a study and found a substance found in pomegranates, walnuts and strawberries that can treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. This substance is known as urolithin A and it effectively improves memory of people with Alzheimer’s disease. This study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia and conducted on mice.
One of the researchers says that many people with neurogenerative diseases have problems with their mitochondria. Their brains can not remove weak mitochondria which affects brain function. Previous studies have shown that nicotinamide riboside (NAD supplement) is very important in treating diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as it removes damaged mitochondria from the brain.
In this study, researchers have found that the natural substance urolithin A found in pomegranates works same as NDA supplement as it effectively removes weak mitochondria from the brain. It improves brain functions of people with dementia. This study is very important as dementia is very hard to treat.
Researchers of this study say that even though this study was conducted on mice, the results are very positive and helpful. The results also have shown that urolithin A helps muscle. They are also planning clinical trials to understand its effectiveness on humans.
Researchers still do not know how much urolithin A is needed to improve memory to help people with Alzheimer’s symptoms. But they think these people should eat more than one pomegranate a day. This substance is also available in pill form and they are trying to find the right dosage. They also think that urolithin A does not increase the risk of any health complications.
The results are very helpful as treating this disease with natural substances has a lower risk of side effects. So, healthcare professionals should suggest eating pomegranate to people with Alzheimer’s disease. This natural substance called urolithin A can effectively reduce the symptoms of this disease.
Reference Link:
Yujun Hou et al, Urolithin A improves Alzheimer’s disease cognition and restores mitophagy and lysosomal functions, Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2024).
