Type 2 diabetes? Take care of your brain – it's easy!
Recently, there is more and more evidence that diabetes negatively affects human cognitive functions. Scientists at the Baycrest Center and the University of Toronto, working under the guidance of Dr. Carol Greenwood, have found that acute memory problems induced by the consumption of excessively fatty foods in patients with type 2 diabetes can be minimized by taking vitamins C and E with antioxidant properties.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with chronic oxidative stress, which plays an important role in the processes of deterioration of cognitive function and the development of Alzheimer's disease. Eating fatty foods can lead to a sharp increase in the level of free radicals that trigger oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species and other free radicals are unstable molecules that damage tissues, including brain tissue. These reactions usually occur within 1-3 hours after eating.
The study involved 16 individuals aged 50 and over who participated three times (once a week) in an experiment in which they consumed one of three "lunch" options. One option consisted of fat-rich foods: puff pastry, cheddar cheese and yogurt with whipped cream; the second option, in the control group, consisted of drinking water, and the third, in addition to fatty foods, included large doses of tablet vitamins C (1000 mg) and E (800 IU).
15 minutes after eating, the participants performed a set of neurophysiological tests for 90 minutes to assess their ability to reproduce the words they heard and the information contained in the paragraph of the text they read.
The authors found that vitamin supplements taken simultaneously with fatty foods significantly improve cognitive functions compared to the indicators observed after eating only fatty foods. Moreover, the same indicators were observed when using only water and a complex of products and vitamins.
The authors believe that it is necessary to conduct further larger tests in order to clarify the mechanisms of action of antioxidants, which consist either in the direct neutralization of free radicals, or in launching an independent process that promotes memorization and masks the destructive effect of oxidative stress on the brain.
In addition, they warn that taking tablet antioxidant vitamins is not a solution to the problem, and emphasize the importance of regular consumption of foods rich in natural antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily
30.06.2008