Thursday Nov 21, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A report in The Journal of Neuroscience suggests that taking a specific plant sterol called stigmasterol  can help prevent Alzheimer's disease.

According to the report, phytosterols can accumulate in the brain and prevent cholesterol from promoting the development of Alzheimer’s disease.  Phytosterols are the plant equivalents of naturally occurring cholesterol and they are less amyloidogenic than cholesterol.

Authors Verena K. Burg and colleagues found that only one phytosterol called stigmasterol can reduce the production of Amyloid-β which is the major constituent of senile plaques causing Alzheimer's disease.

The authors explain that stigmasterol can decrease β-secretase activity, reduce expression of all γ-secretase components, reduce cholesterol and presenilin distribution in lipid rafts associated with amyloidogenic APP cleavage, and decrease BACE1 internalization to endosomal compartments.

They tested a diet supplemented with stigmasterol in vivo and confirmed the protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.

The study suggests that "dietary intake of phytosterol blends mainly containing stigmasterol might be beneficial in preventing AD (Alzheimer's disease).

Alzheimer's disease is a major form of dementia affecting an estimated 5 million American old people.  The disease is said to have no cure, but it is believed that the disease may be prevented as a normal aging process should not cause this disease.

Studies also suggest that Alzheimer's disease may have something to do with oxidative stress.  Because of this, other studies found that antioxidants like vitamin C, E and lipoic acids that may reduce the risk. (David Liu, PHD)