Researchers of a new study found that extracts made from special antioxidants in spearmint and rosemary can help stave off Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia that has no cure and can also lead to death. Millions suffer this disease worldwide, a new discovery has finally paved the way to staving off the disease for a few more years. Researchers of a new study found that extracts made from special antioxidants in spearmint and rosemary can help stave off Alzheimer's disease, according to a press release.
"We found that these proprietary compounds reduce deficits caused by mild cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease," said Susan Farr, Ph.D., research professor geriatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
"This probably means eating spearmint and rosemary is good for you. However, our experiments were in an animal model and I don't know how much -- or if any amount -- of these herbs people would have to consume for learning and memory to improve. In other words, I'm not suggesting that people chew more gum at this point," she continued.
For the study, Farr tested an antioxidant-based ingredient made from spearmint extract and two different doses of a similar antioxidant made from rosemary extract on mice that have age-related cognitive decline.
She found that higher dose of rosemary antioxidant extracts was most effective in keeping Alzheimer's disease at bay by improving memory and learning in all three behavioral tests conducted. The lower dose of the same extracts and that of spearmint improved memory in two out of the three behavioral tests conducted. She also noticed evidence of reduced oxidative stress, which is considered a hallmark of age-related decline, in the part of the brain that controls learning and memory.
"Our research suggests these extracts made from herbs might have beneficial effects on altering the course of age-associated cognitive decline," Farr said. "It's worth additional study."
