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Alzheimer's appears to be caused by vitamin deficiencies in the womb
Many older people suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have now discovered that Alzheimer's can theoretically begin in the womb. This happens when the mothers do not eat enough fruit and vegetables. Even a slight deficiency of vitamin A increases, according to the scientists, the production of a protein that kills the brain cells in the course of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that if mothers do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, it may be detrimental to our children. Due to this deficiency, the children are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later on. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Acta Neuropathologica".
Alzheimer's can already arise in the womb. Expectant mothers should therefore always consume enough fruit and vegetables to avoid vitamin A deficiency. This protects the offspring from an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com) Which foods contain a lot of vitamin A.?
Vitamin A is often found in orange and yellow fruits as well as in vegetables such as carrots, apricots and yellow peppers. Besides, the vitamin is present in all green leafy vegetables. It is also available in the form of fat in some animal foods, these include liver, eggs and various dairy products, the researchers say.
Lack of vitamin A in mice leads to an increased risk of dementia
If babies in the womb or postpartum do not get enough vitamin A, it increases the risk of developing dementia later in life. The finding is based on the effect of vitamin A deprivation (deficiency) in fetal and newborn mice, explain the authors of the study. After all, when these mice received enough vitamin A from vitamin supplements, they performed slightly better on cognitive testing compared to mice without vitamin intake. But the deficit remained recognizable.
Vitamin A deficiency in pregnancy is detrimental to the development of the brain
Our study clearly shows that the marginal vitamin A deficiency has adverse effects on brain development even during pregnancy. This deficiency can later lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer's, explains the author. Weihong Song from the University of British Columbia.
Lack of vitamin A increases production of amyloid beta protein
A lack of vitamin A increases the production of so-called amyloid beta. This protein kills brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. The current study builds on older studies that have already linked low vitamin A levels to cognitive impairment, say the authors.
Effects of vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy are not reversible
When vitamin A was withheld from unborn mice, they performed worse in adult learning and memory tests as adult animals. The effects of vitamin A deficiency in the uterus were not reversible even after birth, the experts explain. Even if the young mice later received a normal diet, they performed worse in the tests. Even mice that received a normal amount of nutrient in the uterus, but were exposed to vitamin A deficiency after birth, say the scientists. In other words, the relevant damage already occurs in the womb.
Early developmental stages are crucial for the brain tissue
The early developmental stages are crucial periods in which the brain tissue is preprogrammed for the rest of a person's life, the researchers explain. Therefore, during pregnancy, mothers should eat many yellow or orange fruits and green leafy vegetables rather than taking vitamin supplements, experts suggest. These foods contain a lot of vitamin A..
Too much vitamin A can harm the body
Of the 330 elderly people studied in China, about 75 percent suffered from either mild or significant vitamin A deficiency and had cognitive problems, the researchers say. The lack of vitamins often occurs in low-income countries. In contrast, vitamin A deficiency is actually quite rare in Western countries and there is therefore no reason to overreact, the authors explain. In addition, an excess intake of the nutrient could be harmful. (As)