(17-01-12) Resveratrol and nuts team to protect the brain and boost cognitive function

by John Phillip
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(NaturalNews) Nuts, especially walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts, combined with
the potent polyphenol resveratrol team, together improve mood and protect the
aging brain, thus helping to maintain memory and cognition. Researchers
reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine have found that nuts consumed
over a period of years not only help with weight management issues, but also
can reduce systemic inflammation to improve spirits and prevent cognitive
decline.

Resveratrol has long been associated with brain health. The Journal of Pineal
Research reports that resveratrol demonstrates anti-aging properties in the
brain necessary for energy production and optimal brain function. Combining
these two natural agents together as part of your healthy diet can improve
mood, help retain memories and preserve youthful thought patterns.

Researchers determined to validate the health-promoting capacity of nuts
provided test participants with a diet of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts for a
period of 12 weeks. The volunteers for this study were sex and age-matched
individuals given a control diet, and were compared to a group not receiving
the nut mixture. All participants exhibited symptoms of metabolic syndrome,
increasing risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, mood disorders and loss
of cognition.

Nuts Improve Mood, Slash Brain Inflammation and Prevent Cognitive Decline
Individuals receiving the nuts had increased levels of serotonin, which will
help a person feel better and potentially more satisfied and less likely to
suffer from depression and poor mood. Additionally, the nut control group
demonstrated reduced inflammatory markers from the high polyphenol content of
the nuts. This is an important finding, as individuals exhibiting the signs of
metabolic syndrome experience the effects of systemic inflammation leading to
accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline.

Mitochondria are the tiny metabolic engines that are responsible for powering
each of our trillion or so cells throughout the body. Over time, mitochondria
begin to experience loss of function, and cellular decline and aging of the
cell begin. Mitochondrial regulation is controlled in large part by the
'longevity' gene known as Sirt1. Calorie restriction and potent natural
nutrients such as resveratrol are known to alter expression of the Sirt1 gene.
Researchers have demonstrated that resveratrol is able to restore neural
mitochondria function by reviving Sirt1 gene expression; resveratrol provides
"a potent anti-aging effect within the brain."

The human brain is a highly metabolic organ, demanding 20% of the total oxygen
supply for the body. As such, it is also susceptible to the effects of
oxidative stress and free radical damage that cause brain inflammation and
advanced signs of aging. Natural nutrients such as resveratrol (25 - 50 mg per
day) that cross the blood-brain barrier and foundation monounsaturated fats
supplied by most nuts (1 to 2 ounces each day) and seeds protect the brain from
damage and dramatically lower the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.105...
http://www.wellnessresources.com/he...
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...
http://www.wellnessresources.com/he...

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