Do you experience those “senior moments” once in a while: forgotten names, lost keys, or words that just slip your mind?
Welcome to the world of the aging population.
But, brain decline is unavoidable as we age, right?
Wrong. One specific seed has now been proven to improve memory and motor skills, slow down brain decline (even repair the damage done), and clear plaque buildup that causes Alzheimer’s.
This is according to a new study published in eLife.
Neurodegenerative diseases start silently, with toxic proteins like amyloid beta, tau, and alpha-synuclein building up in the brain. Over time, these proteins form plaques and tangles, damaging neurons and leading to cognitive decline and motor dysfunction.
Current treatments for these conditions are invasive and costly; when they help, they only slow the disease. This had researchers searching for affordable, natural alternatives — and Zizyphi spinosi semen (ZSS) might be one.
ZSS is the seed of the Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa plant. It’s a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries to treat various health conditions, particularly sleep issues, anxiety, and problems with memory.
In the study, researchers tested two forms of ZSS — a hot water extract and a simple crush powder — on mice with Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or age-related cognitive decline.
Here’s what they found:
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1. Restored Cognitive Function: The simple crush powder significantly improved memory in aged mice, restoring performance to the levels of younger mice.
2. Reduced Toxic Proteins: Both forms of ZSS lowered harmful amyloid beta and tau proteins in the brain.
3. Boosted Brain Health Markers: The herb increased synaptophysin (important for forming synapses) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, aiding neuron regeneration and brain repair.
4. Combatting Cellular Aging: ZSS powder reduced oxidative damage and DNA aging markers, showing its potential to slow overall brain decline.
5. Improved Motor Function in Parkinson’s: Mice with Parkinson’s disease saw better motor skills and less protein buildup.
Interestingly, the simple crush powder outperformed the hot water extract in all tests.
While human trials are still needed, these findings highlight ZSS as a promising option for those at risk of brain aging or neurodegenerative diseases.
If you’re considering natural ways to protect your brain, you’ll need a high-quality source of ZSS.
The main problem is that ZSS is expensive and pretty hard to find. But more importantly, although it helps with dementia, it doesn’t cure it.