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Berry Compound Reduces Aging Effects

berriesIn a new study, elderly laboratory animals that ate a diet rich in the berry and grape compound pterostilbene showed a reversal of some of the negative effects of aging on brain function and behavioral performance.

The researchers wanted to determine if pterostilbene would be effective in reversing the effects of aging on mature rats. They fed older rats either a control diet, or a diet adjusted to include either low or high concentrations of pterostilbene.

The results indicated that in aging rats, pterostilbene was effective in reversing cognitive decline, and that improved working memory was linked to pterostilbene levels in the hippocampus region of the brain.

Sources:

Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Pterostilbene is the same potent berry compound that has previously been found to reduce your risk of colon cancer and lower cholesterol levels as well as prescription drugs (but without the side effects).

It is one of countless antioxidant compounds found in berries that have yielded promising health effects, particularly when it comes to aging.

Oxidative damage is thought to be one of the primary factors in brain aging, and the research suggests that diets rich in natural antioxidants may help to slow this damage. This is one reason why blueberries, which are particularly high in antioxidants, are known to help support your brain health.

Berries, and grapes in particular, are also a source of one of the most exciting anti-aging compounds known, resveratrol.

The highest concentration of resveratrol in nature is found in muscadine grapes because of their extra thick skins and numerous seeds, where it is concentrated. Grapes produce resveratrol as a defense against fungi.

Studies show that resveratrol may increase the lifespan in human cells, so it could be a key to extending your longevity. And like pterostilbene, resveratrol reduces oxidative stress damage to your body by neutralizing free radicals.

Should You Eat More Berries to Slow Down Aging?

Berries contain compounds with tremendous health value, but because they are also naturally rich in sugar they fall into the “eat in moderation” food category.

If you are overweight, have diabetes or high blood pressure -- all signs that your insulin levels are elevated -- you are best off avoiding fruits altogether or limiting them to a small handful of berries a day.

If you are currently healthy, a small amount of fruit should not be a problem as long as you follow the guidelines of your nutritional type.

For example, if you’re a protein type, fruits are generally not beneficial for you with the exception of coconut, which has a higher fat content that is beneficial for protein types.

On the other hand, carbohydrate types tend to fare well with fruit and can safely consume moderate amounts. This is an important distinction, and all nutritional types should try to eat primarily the specific fruits that are best for their unique biochemistry.

Of course, if you’re really interested in slowing down aging, you need to look at the big picture -- and that involves much more than simply eating more berries.

Cutting-Edge Insights From One of the Leading Anti-Aging Researchers in the World

Aubrey de Grey is one of the leading anti-aging researchers in the world, and if you’re interested in this topic you’ll definitely want to listen to the 30-minute interview I recently conducted with him.

Dr. de Grey explains how aging is a preventable phenomenon, and much like a disease, merely a side effect of being alive. He believes humans could live for several centuries, if only we approach the aging process as an “engineering problem.”

According to de Grey, there are “7 Deadly Things” that are responsible for your physical aging, and are the basis of his “engineering approach” solutions.

Essentially, de Grey’s hypothesis states that if you can keep these seven deadly cell-damaging processes below the threshold of pathology -- the state where processes start to break cells down until your body dies from the cumulative damage -- you will be able to extend your life indefinitely.

He focuses on technologies that actually reverse the damage that aging causes, and he is confident that it will be possible one day to not only reverse the internal tissue damage but the physical external appearance as well (which he believes will be much easier to do).

This is truly an exciting area of research, and one that I am following closely. Still, for now the best method there is for staying healthy and full of vigor well into your elder years is to follow the lifestyle changes that I routinely advocate.

If you have not yet read my past article Could You Live Longer Than 140 Years?, please do so now. In it you’ll find another intriguing video from Aubrey de Grey, along with nine of my top tips to help you maximize your lifespan right now.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (25)
 
 
Posted On Dec 31, 2008

Oh...those wonderful berries! I love berries and grapes! Knowing that they are so good for your health makes them even better.


They could offer a much needed way to naturally reverse the devastating effects of alzheimers, dementia, etc.


 
WellnessMom
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
WellnessMom  
 
 
 
Posted On Jan 01, 2009
So does this mean we must take a supplimentary form of pterostilbene or can we just keep eating the berries like we've always done? (I'm being facetious) The drug and suppliment companies will prefer that we do the former rather than the latter. I vote for fresh fruit.

 
Magnolia
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Magnolia  
Replied

stoic
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
stoic  
 
Posted On Jan 01, 2009
it may be that you can have your therapeutic dose either way, 1 capsule of pterostilbene, or 10lbs of berries & grapes.....


The Learner
Novice User Novice User Joined On 1/2009
The Learner  
 
Posted On Jan 15, 2009

Yes, fresh is always better.  But what about the soils they're grown in?  The soils were depleted long ago and now plants require man's assistance to grow.  Does these berries have the same nutritional value?  I think not.


 
 
 
Posted On Jan 12, 2009

So much for the push to seedless grapes.


 
jams
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 3/2007
jams  
Replied

Julieanne
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2007
Julieanne  
 
Posted On Jan 13, 2009

jams, that's for the people who can't be bothered spitting out the seeds! I have also heard requests for seedless watermelon, because people are lazy.Growers respond to the demands of the public.

But about grape seeds: I always use grape seed oil for cooking. Now I'm wondering if it contains resveratrol. Or is that left behind in the seeds?


 
 
 
Posted On Jan 13, 2009

1.  Why was the original short article only presenting a rat/animal study.  What about human studies?

2.  What about talking about the need to choose organic with certain fruit, i.e. strawberries, raspberries, grapes.

3.  The advice to avoid berries is ludicrous...avoiding sugar and white flour will allow you to eat all the fruit you like.

4.  Studies usually show strong evidence that eating the 'whole' food instead of ingesting a separated compound will offer benefits much greater.  The benefit of singling out one compound will often negate its health claim - the reason behind selling a separate component is for monetary gain.

5.  Bring back the 'whole food' intelligence!


 
DDS_203
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 1/2008
DDS_203  
Replied

Islander
Moderator User Moderator User Joined On 3/2007
Islander  
 
Posted On Jan 13, 2009

"3.  The advice to avoid berries is ludicrous...avoiding sugar and white flour will allow you to eat all the fruit you like."

DDS, if you are a Type 2 diabetic trying to manage the disease without medication, your statement does not apply. I avoid refined flour, rice, pasta, potatoes etc. and cannot tell you when I last ate sugar - before I was diagnosed, for sure - but strawberries always spike my blood glucose. I can consume blueberries, blackberries, raspberries in moderation occasionally, but not strawberries. Dietary advice does not apply to everyone equally!


 
 
 
Posted On Dec 31, 2008
My Christmas goose had a wild berry, mushroom and balsamic vinegar reduction...amazing!
...new recipe.  My attempts to include more berries into my diet....lol



Blessings to All for a healthy New Year...may your year be filled with joy & peace...
...Drink fermented grape juice responsibly....lol






 
Miss Bliss
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 3/2008
Miss Bliss  
 
 
 
 
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