A Waterford based research team have found that a nutritional supplement combination of carotenoids and trout oil may slow down Alzheimer’s disease.
The research
The 18 month study examined the effects of taking daily supplements of macular carotenoids and trout fish oil. One group of patients were given the macular carotenoids only, while another group were given macular carotenoids and trout fish oil together. It was the group who took the two types of supplements who were found to have maintained their cognitive abilities and quality of life to a much greater extent.
Encouragingly, positive results from taking this supplemental combination were shown at all levels of Alzheimer’s disease. Even patients in a more advanced stage showed day to day improvements.
The supplements
The first of the two supplements given was macular carotenoids. Macular carotenoids are the carotenoids found mostly in the eye. Other more specific names for macular carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthin. They protect the retina against light induced damage, mainly through their antioxidant properties. If the eye gets damaged through sunlight, antioxidants can help to “mop up” some of the damaged cell material left behind.
It is thought that Alzheimer’s progresses in a similar pattern of oxidation and the build-up of left over material. Macular carotenoids are thought to reduce this build up. Macular carotenoids are mostly found in eye health supplements such as Higher Nature Visual Eyes or Viridian Lutein Plus, both are capsules to be taken at meal times. Some of the higher quality multivitamins also contain macular carotenoids as well as all the other vitamins and minerals for energy and immune health. Such a full spectrum multivitamin would be Solo Multififty.
The second of the supplements given to Alzheimer’s patients in the Waterford based study were fish oils from trout. Trout oil is mostly farmed and therefore protected from contaminants. Trout oil is considered to be one of the cleaner fish oils, therefore, in the case of Alzheimer’s, a better choice. Trout fish oil is available in liquid or capsules from Viridian Nutrition in Evergreen Healthfoods.
Conclusion
The Nutrition Research Centre Ireland considers the findings of its research ground-breaking and worth exploring if you are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Further studies are due to be conducted in the future.
Alzheimer’s is one of the largest issues affecting the Irish population as we age. Drug companies and medical research have not progressed well in finding many solutions, so surely taking a safe and inexpensive supplement daily would be worth a try — and possibly beneficial in other ways.
For more information visit any of Evergreen's seven Galway-based stores.
