Posted on 10/27/2004 7:48:51 AM PDT by Truth666
LONDON (AFP) - A steaming cup of tea, the relaxing drink of choice for millions in countries such as Britain and China, could help ward off the effects of Alzheimer's disease.
The research by the Medicinal Plant Research Centre at Newcastle University, northeast England, is published in academic journal Phytotherapy Research.
Scientists tested coffee as well as green and black tea, the latter of which -- the variety enjoyed by most Britons -- is derived from the same plant as the green variety but has a different taste and appearance as it is fermented.
The results found that while coffee had no significant effect, both green and black tea inhibited the activity of enzymes associated with the development of Alzheimer's.
According to the journal, tea inhibited the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down the chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Alzheimer's is characterised by a drop in acetylcholine.
Green tea and black tea also hinder the activity of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), seen in protein deposits found on the brains of patients with Alzheimer's.
However green tea alone had a further effect, obstructing the activity of beta-secretase, which has a role in the production of protein deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer's.
The effects of green tea also last for a week, scientists found, as against only a day for black tea.
"Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, tea could potentially be another weapon in the armoury which is used to treat this disease and slow down its development," said head researcher Dr Ed Okello.
"It would be wonderful if our work could help improve the quality of life for millions of sufferers and their carers.
"Our findings are particularly exciting as tea is already a very popular drink, it is inexpensive, and there do not seem to be any adverse side effects when it is consumed.
"Still, we expect it will be several years until we are able to produce anything marketable."
Wouldn't that be a pint of stout?
What was the subject? I can't remember....
The folks at the Guardian don't drink much tea, do they?
Amen
NOT getting 5 consecutive FLU SHOTS could also make you LESS susceptible to ALZHEIMERS.......
"Still, we expect it will be several years until we are able to produce anything marketable."
I can go boil some water and make a cup of tea in a few minutes, what's with these idiots?
They forgot that tea is readily available.
DOES SOY CAUSE ALZHEIMER'S?
""Tofu Shrinks Brain," shouted the headlines of a tidal wave of articles emanating from the anti-soy camp in recent years. The basis for the excitement were discoveries made in the Honolulu Heart Program, an ongoing study of the health of Japanese-American men living in Hawaii. It seems that those who consumed the most tofu (two to four times a week) during middle age showed the most signs of mental deterioration in later years, including greater incidence of Alzheimer's disease. This was startling, because high cholesterol levels have long been intimately linked to increased risk for Alzheimer's, and soy has been shown repeatedly to lower cholesterol levels. The researchers who conducted the study, led by Lon White, believe the negative effect could stem from the hormonal effects of the isoflavones found in soy.
"Other scientists were not so sure just what was going on here. ..."
-Eric
Caring for my 80 year old mom alone who has Alzheimer's and wondering if I will get it myself you bring hope!I just mixed green tea and black tea bags this morning and made a pot and am crossing my fingers thanks for this report.
"Other scientists were not so sure just what was going on here. If tofu consumption increased Alzheimer's incidence, then there would be more Alzheimer's in Japan than in Hawaii, because more tofu is eaten in Japan. But in fact the reverse is true.
What, then, could have been the cause of the findings? People with Alzheimer's disease characteristically have higher levels of aluminum in their brains. Many studies have shown a link between increased levels of aluminum consumption and risk of Alzheimer's disease. Higher levels of aluminum in drinking water, for example, typically produce higher rates of the disease. When a physician practicing in Hawaii, Bill Harris, subsequently had soy products made in Hawaii and those from the mainland tested for their aluminum levels, the levels of aluminum in the Hawaii products were found to be significantly higher. Could it be that it is aluminum - used in the refining of some soy products in Hawaii - that is the actual culprit? No other study to my knowledge has ever found a link between soy consumption and Alzheimer's, but dozens of studies have supported the link between aluminum and the disease."
"I can go boil some water and make a cup of tea in a few minutes, what's with these idiots?"
Maybe they meant it will be several years before they find a way to make it profitable for them.
Not only can you get green tea anywhere, you can get green tea capsules, too, so there's not a lot of marketing left to do. With the UK's health care system, I guess they're just used to making people wait for the cure...
Just don't boil your tea in an aluminum pot.
Alzheimer's runs through my family on both sides. I'm 49 and keeping an eye on myself for...uh...for......ummm..for aaa...what were we talking about?........
No.
Bitter outsells stout by a considerable factor, and Lager would be second after Bitter.
(That's why I hot-linked,
and that's why I ended with
the "other doctors...")
My experience
is that anecdotally
some doctors and some
nutritionists have
become skeptical on soy.
Without firm studies
nobody will say
anything on the record.
But informally,
I've been hearing and
seeing comments suggesting
giving soy a pass.
I'm drinking a cup of Sencha now.
Russian Caravan in the morning. I recommend http://www.uptontea.com for a supplier.
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