COMPOUND IN OLIVE OIL MAY PREVENT/TREAT ALZHEIMER’S

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Jeffrey Newman

A naturally occuring compound found in extra virgin olive oil, Oleocanthal may help to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease according to a new scientific study. Highly toxic proteins, known as ADDLs bind with neural synapses in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and are believed to be the cause of nerve cell disruption leading to loss of memory and death. Oleocanthal alters this process. The study, to be reported in the October 15 issue of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology relates to laboratory studies and must now be followed by clinical trials in humans, which are now being prepared. The work is being done at Northwestern University and The Monell Center.