Studies have already revealed how essential water is to human health
-- it helps with digestion, keeps the skin healthy and removes toxins
from the body. However, a recent study uncovered another benefit
of drinking water: A high concentration of silica in drinking water
seemed to protect against Alzheimer's disease.
The findings stemmed from an offshoot of an osteoporosis study
-- Epidemiology of Osteoporosis Study (EPIDOS) -- that included
some 7,600 women older than 75 from five French cities whose mental
acuity was measured at the start of the study.
The Silica-Alzheimer's Link
The participants' intake of water, tap versus mineral, was determined
through a questionnaire. (Data on levels of silica, calcium and
aluminum were derived from local water companies and companies that
distributed mineral water.)
During the first phase of the study, researchers found women
who had normal or higher mental function at the start had a higher
daily intake of silica. This link remained significant,
statistically, even after taking age, location, income, education
level and history of stroke into account.
The second phase, which followed up with women
from a particular city seven years later, revealed women who developed
Alzheimer's were almost three times more likely to have a significantly
reduced daily intake of silica than those who didn't have it.
Thus, a low silica concentration was
associated with low cognitive performance.
In light of these findings, researchers believe silica to be a
natural antidote to aluminum, which has been previously linked to
the formation of plaque in the brain. Therefore, it was concluded
that silica in drinking water may reduce the risk of developing
Alzheimer's in elderly women; however, the potential effect of this
chemical needs to be confirmed in further investigations.
American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition April 2005;81(4):897-902
Reuters
April 11, 2005
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