Green Tea May Hold Benefits for Alzheimer’s Prevention
The neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s, affects one in three individuals over the age of 65, and is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
The University of Michigan is working on a project that’s garnered support from the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative, the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health. Information released from the study shows that green tea may prevent damage to proteins in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Although this was not the first study done on the prevention of Alzheimer’s that specifically focuses on metal-associated amyloids, it’s the first multi-disciplinary approach. The next step is for the team to focus on altering the molecule so that scientists can test it on a typical Alzheimer’s plaque formation to see if the antioxidant inhibits plaque growth under lab conditions.
An extract found in the tea, called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant, appears to prevent damage to proteins in the brain associated with the disease.
“There’s a lot of encouraging research being done in many parts of the world, but we’re not able to stop or reverse the disease yet,” said Jim Ward of the Law Offices of James A. Ward. “I deal with a lot of families that have a relative that’s suffering from some level of Alzheimer’s. Those situations are difficult.”
Alzheimer’s is the one cause of death in the United States currently that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down. It’s estimated that more than 15 million people in the U.S. are caring for a family member or another loved one with Alzheimer’s — or dementia — usually without pay.
If you have a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia and are feeling the weight of the care or the costs associated, you may want to see if your loved one qualifies for Medi-Cal. And rather than navigating the paperwork and current laws on your own, the Law Offices of James A. Ward specializes in Medi-Cal planning and asset protection for clients in their more advanced years.
Jim Ward is an elder law attorney and works with clients throughout the greater San Jose area and down into Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Contact us today for further information.