Research Reveals the Latest Weapon Against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's: Green Tea

Is it possible that the simple act of drinking green tea can help protect your brain against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease? A multitude of studies have looked into the effects that the tea has on neurological health—and the results are promising.

Shielding brain cells from the ravages of Parkinson's

A degenerative disorder that progressively attacks the central nervous system, Parkinson's disease eventually results from the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Currently, there is no cure. As reported by ScienceDaily, a study published in Biological Psychiatry (Elsevier) explored a possible treatment for the disease using green tea. Lead researcher Dr. Baolu Zhao and his team discovered that "green tea polyphenols protect dopamine neurons that increases with the amount consumed." Additionally, "[t]hey also show that this protective effect is mediated by inhibition of the ROS-NO pathway, a pathway that may contribute to cell death in Parkinson's."

Lion's mane: a smart mushroom choice for memory, mood and clarity

Easily grown at home, and a relatively inexpensive therapeutic food, lion's mane is a beautiful mushroom with cascading spines instead of gills that shows potential in slowing the progression of neurological disorders -- including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Research has also found the mushroom to be beneficial in treating symptomatic depression and anxiety associated with menopause.

The secret to the success of lion's mane is due to abundant erinacines. These compounds enhance the production of nerve growth factor -- a protein that encourages the regeneration of neurons.

Depression linked with higher incidence of Parkinson's disease - Research

According to a new study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people who are depressed may have a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Researchers at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, analyzed the medical records of over 20,000 individuals during the course of 10 years. The findings offer substantial insight into the disease. "Depression is linked in other studies to illnesses such as cancer and stroke," states study author Albert C. Yang, MD, PhD. "Our study suggests that depression may also be an independent risk factor for Parkinson's disease."

Characteristics of a tragic illness