The world sure needs more ways to fight Alzheimer’s disease, and a preclinical study led by researchers from the University of South Florida Health (USF Health) is telling us that relying on basil could be the answer. The natural compound known as fenchol, which is abundant in plants such as basil, has the key for reducing neurotoxic amyloid-beta from the brain.
Therefore, the news that SciTechDaily.com writes about basically tells us that consuming basil could help protect us from Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists uncover sensing mechanism that’s associated with the gut microbiome
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contribute to brain health, as they’re a source of nutrition for cells in the colon. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s also have reduced levels of SCFAs.
Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) can be activated due to the intervention of SCFAs.
Hariom Yadav, PhD and professor of neurosurgery, declared as quoted by SciTechDaily.com:
Our study is the first to discover that stimulation of the FFAR2 sensing mechanism by these microbial metabolites (SCFAs) can be beneficial in protecting brain cells against toxic accumulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The beta-amyloid 42 protein is especially toxic when it comes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Abnormal levels start to clump together for forming plaques that ultimately disrupt cell function.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and millions of Americans of all ages deal with it. According to Alz.org, an estimated amount of 6.2 million Americans who are at least 65 years old are living with the disease in 2021. Furthermore, 72% of them are aged at least 75 years old.
Alzheimer’s is also one of the leading causes of death, and treating it is costly.
The new study was published in the Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
