Grape seed extract may protect against Alzheimer’s

Grape seed extract contains potent antioxidant polyphenols.

As most readers as probably aware,  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an increasingly-common degenerative disease of the nervous system.  Still lacking a cure or a even clear etiology, Alzheimer’ s involves a gradual loss of nervous system function, ultimately erasing a the victims memory, personality and ability to function and care for themselves, let alone others.  Most readers are also probably aware that AD is devastating to both victims and caregivers.  A considerable amount of research resources are now devoted to finding out more about Alzheimer’s and discovering drugs and natural substances which may be protect against Alzheimer’s.  A new study suggests that grape seed extract may protect against the very process responsible for the progressive loss of mental functions that characterizes Alzheimer’s.

It’s not the first study that examined the potential for antioxidants like grape seed extract to benefit those with a Alzheimer’s, but it does finally identify two key mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of grape seed extract.
The pathology of Alzheimer’s is complex and incompletely understood, but it’s generally agreed that two key features are the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain – known as amyloid beta proteins, and also chronic inflammation of structures within the brain.
The most significant finding of this study was that grape seed extract specifically inhibited these two processes, the accumulation of the amyloid beta proteins and inflammation, and therefore could play a major role in protecting against the development of AD.
No one can yet claim that grape seed extract will protect against Alzheimer’s, just as no one can claim that it won’t; a firm conclusion either way will require much more research and funding and time. But consider the  family-history component of AD, the fact that it takes years to develop, has no cure, and contrast that with information from this study, plus the safety and low cost of grape seed extract,  and the fact that grape seed extract already protects health in other ways, especially with respect to cardiovascular health. We’ve always known that grape seed extract is a safe, low-risk way to protect your health in general, but with information that it may possibly protect against AD as well, grape seed extract is sure to attract much future interest from both consumers and researchers alike.

NOW Foods makes excellent grape seed extract in a range of potencies.