Germany: Spinach could be defence against dementia
The scientists looked at the differences between 74 people with Alzheimer's disease and 158 healthy subjects.
Tyhe participants were aged between 65 and 90 and underwent nuropsycholoigal testing, answered questions about their lifestyle, had blood tests carried out and their body mass calculated.
The team including epidemiologist Professor Gabriele Nagel and neurologist Professor Christine von Arnim found the serum-concentration of the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene were significantly lower in patients with mild dementia than in the healthy subjects.
There was no such difference between the groups in levels of other antioxidants including vitamin E, lycopene, coenzyme Q10.
Dr Nagel said although more studies were needed to confirm the results, the findings suggested fruits and vegetables could play a role in fighting the disease.
However, oxidative stress, which constrains the exploitation of oxygen in the human body, is also suspected to promote the development of the disease.
This led scientists to investigate whether antioxidants might protect against neurodegeneration.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
