MEMORY LOSS? Fear Alzheimer’s? Crush Your HDAC2.

[Warning: do not modify your exercise or medical therapy programs unless directed to do so under the advice of your medical specialist/physician. What follows is for information purposes only and is not a medical diagnosis, nor a recommendation of any sort.]

Fresh from the MIT newsroom is information about new research that offers great promise for those experiencing memory failure and especially facing or experiencing Altzheimer’s Disease. It’s EARLY YET, but promising. Take a look…

“MIT researchers have now shown that they can reverse that memory loss in mice by interfering with the enzyme that forms the blockade. The enzyme, known as HDAC2, turns genes off by condensing them so tightly that they can’t be expressed.” ^{See END NOTE 1}

More clearly spoken: “Blocking that mechanism could offer a new way to treat memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients.” ^{See END NOTE 1}

Although the research is taking place in mice and in test tubes, I couldn’t help but wonder if there is something we can do, RIGHT NOW, to take advantage of this early research, but in some manner that will improve our health rather than increase our risks of destroying our health. So I spent a considerable number of hours and was fortunate to uncover this little gem that follows. But, let me put this very clearly:

Veggies may help SAVE YOUR BRAIN!^{See End Note 4}

What do I mean by that?

Well, let’s focus entirely on this new research that was broadcasted through the MIT press release. Since food is probably the safest of all therapeutics, I thought it wise to hunt for foods that can help to crush, or at a minimum may help to reduce, HDAC2 in our bodies. In other words, lets go hunting for HDAC2 suppressors that occur naturally…that occur in FOOD.

Voila!

Here’s what I dug up that might be of interest to you. [It certainly has me excited!] Now, …if only I was able to remember where I placed my notes….(Just joking!)

Let’s start with this knock-you-off-your-chair statement: “Given the promise of HDACi to treat a variety of diseases, particularly cancer, there is growing interest in the potential of dietary compounds that possess HDAC inhibition activity.”^{See End Note 2}Note that, “HDACi” refers to a multiplicity of HDAC varieties, where “i” represents an uncapped number. Also take note that scientists have an ongoing interest in the impact of HDACs, or “HDACi” within the body for much more than just Altzheimer’s disease. [I’m using bold, italics to draw your attention to the statement that refers scientists and, now, YOU, to food sources!]

To carry that commentary further: “Strong evidence is emerging that vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dietary fibre, certain micronutrients, and specific fatty acids protect against some cancers and other diseases by inhibiting HDAC activity…” ^{See End Note 2}

That research goes on to state that since compounds found in foods can alter HDAC levels, then food choices may offer a cost-effective strategy, and a readily-available, practical, strategy for optimizing one’s health.

Here are just some of the foods that have been identified by their research as having HDAC-modifying potential. ^{See End Note 3}

Garlic: Allicin & Selenocysteine
Green Tea: Catechins
Cinnamon: Coumaric/hydroxycinnamic acid
Turmeric: Curcumin
Garlic: Diallyl Disulfide
Broccoli: 3,3ʹ-di-indolylmethane & Isothiocyanates & Selenocysteine
Most Fruits & Most Vegetables: Apignen & Chrysin
Citrus, Apple, Berries: Quercetin
Brazil Nuts: Selenium

The research itself mentions that other beneficial molecules are available within fruits, vegetables, and plants, such as: biotin, vitamin-E, and α-lipoic acid. [Get your vitamins from food, particularly non-animal sources. Avoid supplements unless your doctor prescribes them for your medical condition. If you don’t have a medical condition, don’t give yourself one by taking supplements without medical supervision.]

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