Resveratrol As a Treatment For Alzheimer’s Disease

One of Resveratrol’s many beneficial mechanisms is the ’scavenging’ of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms, ions or molecules which are missing an electron needed for stability. Free radicals seek to strip electrons from other atoms, ions and molecules in order to become stable. In biological organisms, these free radicals can attack cells (such as brain cells) destroying them and causing sometimes irreparable damage to the body. Free radical scavengers are substances which bind with free radicals, thereby preventing them from having harmful effects on the human body.

Alzheimer’s (along with several other brain diseases caused by the action of free radicals), is a disease which robs people of their cognitive abilities, and eventually, their lives. Identified in its initial stages as dementia, Alzheimer’s is a terminal and thus far incurable disease. In the early stages patients experience memory loss, which is usually the trigger for them to seek medical attention. Doctors can carry out tests to determine the patient’s cognitive abilities and look for behavioral clues that suggest Alzheimer’s. In the later stages of Alzheimer’s there is no doubt as to the nature of the affliction, with patients experiencing both short and long term memory loss, irritability, confusion and deterioration of body functions. As essential body functions shut down the patient becomes unable to swallow or breathe, which inevitably and tragically ends in death.

Resveratrol offers some potential hope for sufferers of Alzheimer’s as it may be able to shield the brain from the actions of beta-amyloids (substances produced by those with Alzheimer’s) which attack the brain, steadily destroying the cells and slowly killing the afflicted person. Resveratrol can be taken as a preventative or a treatment, and is best combined with anti-oxidants for maximum effect.