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Brain & Neurodegenerative Diseases - The Central Role of Mitochondria

All aging starts at the cellular level including degeneration of the brain. Science has now identified dysfunction of the neuron mitochondria as the early central initiator in brain degeneration. When the neuronal mitochondria become dysfunctional, there is an inadequate supply of energy to the neuron, and subsequently the neuron dies. Early stages of neurodegenerative diseases have mitochondrial dysfunction common in their pathogenesis including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Huntington’s Disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Indeed, the failure of cellular bioenergetics has been linked to neuron death and dementia.(1,2)


Research suggests that modulation and inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction may increase neuron survival and provide a basis for extended brain longevity. As a cytoprotective agent, activation of transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protects the functioning of the mitochondria and is viewed as a target for possible prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. Sulforaphane (and precursor Glucoraphanin) is one of the most powerful natural nrf2 activators, and may play a role in the intervention of age-related brain degeneration. (2) In addition, the natural extract andrographolide, carnosic acid and carnosol have been identified as a very strong nrf2 activators. (3, 4)

XGEVITY

AIR VITALITY

Both Contain the following nrf2 activators:

  • Glucoraphanin / sulforaphane – from broccoli
  • Andrographolide – from andrographis paniculata
  • Carnosol & Carnosic Acid – from rosemary extract

 

REFERENCES:


(1) Grimm A, et al. Mitochondrial dysfunction: the missing link between aging and sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Biogerontology. 2015 Oct 14.
(2) Denzer I, et al. Modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases via activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 by food-derived compounds.
Pharmacol Res. 2015 Nov 25.
(3) Wu KC, et al. Screening of natural compounds as activators of the keap1-nrf2 pathway.
Planta Med. 2014
(4) de Oliveira MR. The Dietary Components Carnosic Acid and Carnosol as Neuroprotective Agents: a Mechanistic View. Mol Neurobiol. 2015 Nov 9