According to a new study published in the journal Nutrients, a widely available type of algae can directly combat one of the main drivers of neuronal death in Parkinson’s cases.
This will, at worst, slow down the progression of the disease, and at best, reverse it completely.
The researchers conducted a series of experiments to investigate how Ecklonia cava polyphenols (ECPs), a type of algae found in the Pacific Ocean, might mitigate the effects of Parkinson’s disease.
They employed two primary models.
First, they applied ECPs to human neuroblastoma cells (a type of nerve cell) in a test tube.
Second, they gave mice a substance called rotenone, which is known to induce Parkinson-like symptoms by causing oxidative stress and cell dysfunction.
They then gave some of them ECPs to see whether their conditions differed from their peers who remained untreated.
From these two experiments, they managed to draw the following conclusions.
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1. In the lab, cells exposed to rotenone showed significant damage, but when treated with ECPs, their viability improved markedly. This suggests that ECPs can protect nerve cells from the harmful effects of oxidative stress.
2. ECPs reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the harmful molecules that contribute to oxidative stress. This indicates that ECPs can directly combat one of the main drivers of neuronal death in Parkinson’s.
3. The study showed that ECPs activated the Nrf2-ARE pathway inside nerve cells. By promoting this process, ECPs help boost the cells’ own natural antioxidant defenses.
4. Mice treated with ECPs showed significant improvements in motor function, as assessed by the pole and wire-hang tests. These tests measure movement difficulties common in Parkinson’s patients, such as slow movement and muscle weakness.
5. ECPs helped maintain the health of the gut and the brain in the rotenone-treated mice. The mice that received ECPs had healthier intestinal tissues and more dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
By activating the Nrf2-ARE pathway, ECPs help enhance the body’s natural defenses against oxidative stress, one of the primary causes of neuronal death in PD.
While these findings are promising, it’s important to remember that much of the research is still in the early stages. The effects observed in cell cultures and animal models need to be confirmed in human trials before ECPs can be considered a viable treatment option for Parkinson’s.
However, if you are interested in trying it, Ecklonia cava supplements are widely available for purchase at health stores and online.