Antioxidants Preserve Memory

Your body uses antioxidants as a primary system of defense, including defending your nerves from wear and tear and consequent decline.  Many antioxidants work synergistically to support the function of the primary cellular antioxidant, glutathione.  A new study in adults age 50-74, without existing dementia, showed that a comprehensive blend of antioxidants¹ taken for four months improved memory function.  Another study showed that a key antioxidant, NAC², directly inhinited the formation of beta-amyloid plaque that is known to cause Alzheimer’s disease.

It is well understood that antioxidants work as a team to help regenerate and recycle each other.  This is why having a comprehensive antioxidant supplement is a health basic, along with a diet of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Such antioxidants help support the formation of NAC, and NAC itself is often a key ingredient in any comprehensive antioxidant. Because glutathione does not cross cell membranes, it must be made inside of each cell from building blocks – and NAC is a key building block.

Beta-amyloid gets a bad name, like LDL cholesterol Low-density lipoprotein. It is a group of lipids and proteins that allow lipids like cholesterol, triglycerides, and fat soluble nutrients (Vitamin A, D, E , K, Q 10, carotenes) to be transported with the water-based bloodstream. , because when systems malfunction it piles up and excess levels are a common feature of dementia and Alzheimer’s.  However, in health beta-amyloid is formed and then taken down which is vital for normal nerve health.  The above NAC study shows that NAC actually protects an enzyme that takes down extra beta-amyloid so that it does not build up inappropriately.

Thus we see that antioxidants directly protect nerves as well as protecting enzyme systems that help nerves function optimally.  The moral of the story is don’t let your antioxidant bank account run low.