04.01.11
Nutraceutical: Berries (flavonoids, specifically anthocyanins)
Indication: Parkinson’s disease
Source: American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, Honolulu, HI, April 10-17.
Research: In an effort to better understand the role of flavonoids in the development and diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, researchers gathered data on more than 49,000 men who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and more than 80,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about their diets. Using information compiled from detailed diet questionnaires, the researchers calculated the amount of flavonoids people consumed. In addition, they also looked at the consumption of tea, berries, apples, red wine and oranges and orange juice.
Results: Over 22 years of follow-up, 805 people developed Parkinson’s disease. Among men, those who consumed the most flavonoids were 40% less likely to develop the neurodegenerative illness compared with men who consumed the least amount of flavonoids. However, there wasn’t any relationship between total flavonoid intake and the risk of developing Parkinson’s when researchers studied the women. Further, anthocyanins specifically were associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s in both men and women. The researchers hypothesized that this protective effect probably resulted from the antioxidant effect of berries and their ability to thwart oxidative stress.
Indication: Parkinson’s disease
Source: American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, Honolulu, HI, April 10-17.
Research: In an effort to better understand the role of flavonoids in the development and diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, researchers gathered data on more than 49,000 men who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and more than 80,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about their diets. Using information compiled from detailed diet questionnaires, the researchers calculated the amount of flavonoids people consumed. In addition, they also looked at the consumption of tea, berries, apples, red wine and oranges and orange juice.
Results: Over 22 years of follow-up, 805 people developed Parkinson’s disease. Among men, those who consumed the most flavonoids were 40% less likely to develop the neurodegenerative illness compared with men who consumed the least amount of flavonoids. However, there wasn’t any relationship between total flavonoid intake and the risk of developing Parkinson’s when researchers studied the women. Further, anthocyanins specifically were associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s in both men and women. The researchers hypothesized that this protective effect probably resulted from the antioxidant effect of berries and their ability to thwart oxidative stress.
