Heart problems provoke Alzheimer's disease
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Heart problems increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, experts from the medical center of the private research university in Tennessee came to such conclusions. Scientists analyzed the results of the study, which began 67 years ago, in which the study of risk factors for the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
For 11 years, specialists monitored the health status of volunteers who took part in the project, after which they conducted a comparative analysis of heart function indicators and the risk of senile dementia. During the study, a cognitive disorder occurred in 32 participants, of whom 26 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In those volunteers who had a normal cardiac index, the likelihood of developing dementia with age was lower, compared to those who had a low cardiac index. As a result, experts found that with a low cardiac index, people suffered from memory loss several times more often, compared to participants with a healthy heart.
In one recent study, the researchers found that the first manifestations of Alzheimer's disease become noticeable at a young age. As it turned out, the progression of the disease begins much earlier than previously thought. According to forecasts, by 2050, 44 million people will suffer from various forms of mental decline, since the medicine for this disease has not yet been invented, and the population of the planet is growing old at a rapid pace. Specialists from a private university in Illinois conducted a study of the brain of the elderly after death. Among the subjects were people, both with Alzheimer's disease, and without it. Also, experts took samples from people aged 20 to 66 years, only 13 samples were taken, while participants at a young age at the time of death did not suffer from memory problems.
As the analysis has shown, with the development of Alzheimer's disease, a toxic protein (beta-amyloid) begins to accumulate in the brain, beginning about the age of 20 (it was previously thought that the protein begins to accumulate 15-20 years before the symptoms manifest). In addition, the same protein was detected in neurons of the brain in young people (such neurons were responsible for memory and attention).
Experts say that to prevent a decline in mental abilities with age will help quality sleep. As studies have shown, sleep for 8 hours a day contributes to the normal operation of the brain and people who give a night of rest a sufficient amount of time in old age practically do not face mental disorders. During sleep, processing and analysis of information about the past day, which contributes to memory strengthening and enhances cognitive activity.
Experts from the US chemical community believe that a moderate consumption of beer will help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's). This drink contains xanthohumol, which has antitumor and antioxidant properties.
As experts believe, neurodegenerative disorders are caused by an oxidative process in nerve cells, and xanthohumol is able to protect the brain cells from this kind of damage.
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