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Now, researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Seville in collaboration with a team from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom have discovered that the carotenoid phytoan increases the life span of the nematode (capillary worms) elegans Caenorhabditis and can slow down the onset of cerebral palsy associated with the formation of amyloid plaques in a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Their research suggests that pituan can prolong life and prevent Alzheimer’s – although more studies are needed to confirm a similar effect in humans.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and is characterized by memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, loss of belongings, and mood changes, and currently has no cure.. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and in 2060, 14 million Americans are expected to become ill.
“Over the years, much emphasis has been placed on the health benefits of fiber and vitamins extracted from plants, but now we are beginning to understand that plants produce thousands of molecules that affect our health, and that there is much more than fiber and vitamins in plants,” said Dr. Marina Azquera, a biologist from the University of Kent, to the magazine. Newsweek”With population growth and climate change, it is becoming more and more difficult to produce enough plant food. Algae may be an alternative, as they grow naturally in seas, streams and lakes. Especially microalgae that can be grown sustainably and have proven health effects. In this study we wanted to better understand more the health effects of compounds from microalgae.”
Most of the genes of these tiny worms are identical to those of humans
In the study, published in the scientific journalAntioxidants used phytoene extracted from extracts of two types of microalgae containing high levels of the chemical. The scientists, as mentioned, used the tiny worms that live in the soil and compost, because most of their genes are identical to the genes that humans have, they have muscles, nerves, reproductive organs and digestive systems, and are therefore a great tool for researching health and aging. “The use of worms allowed us to avoid the cost, time and complexity of human experiments, and the ethical and regulatory aspects involved in using mice. Working with them is cheap and fast, and also more ethical and sustainable,” Azcora explained.
The scientists found that Pituan extended the life of C. elegans by 10 to 18.6 percent, and reduced the damage caused by amyloid plaques by 30 to 40 percent. The amyloid plaques are considered a key sign of Alzheimer’s disease – substances that build up in the brain, sometimes decades before the disease is detected. Thus, the fact that Pituan reduced plaque-related damage inC. elegans may suggest that it could be a promising strategy for preventing Alzheimer’s in the future.
The scientists also found that phytoene was effective against oxidative stress, a type of wear and tear caused by chemical reactions in the body, which can contribute to inflammation, disease risk and aging.. They suggested that it would be possible to develop food supplements, perhaps using the phytoene-rich microalgae they studied, to promote longevity and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
“To our surprise, we found that the microalgae extracts improved all the health aspects we tested,” said Azcora. “The worms that ate the microalgae extracts lived longer, were more resistant to physiological (oxidative) stress and were protected against a human model of Alzheimer’s. This suggests that compounds from microalgae can significantly affect health. What was even more surprising was that we were able to show that a single molecule, phytoene, which is present at high levels in both microalgae and plants, provided all of these health effects”.
According to the researchers, the microalgae have many nutritional benefits beyond phytoene, which can make them an important source of nutrients for the future, as the food system adapts to climate change. They are rich in healthy fats and proteins, easy and quick to grow, without the need for agricultural fields since they grow in water, so they are an environmentally friendly crop. “There is broad agreement in the scientific community that consumption of plant-based foods should be increased to promote health and sustainability,” said study leader Melendez Martinez. “Carotenoids such as phytoene and other bioactive compounds are found in high concentrations in plant foods. In particular, tomatoes and their products are one of the best sources of pituan, but there are also others, such as carrots, apricots, watermelon, certain citrus fruits and more”.
“It is gratifying to see that in addition to the carotenoids known for their virtues such as lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, a new and particularly useful rising star named phytoan has been discovered and it makes a great contribution to health,” says Shir Alfi-Zegar, a clinical dietician at Klalit Hospital Fund in the Dan-Pat district, “research on tomatoes, For example, they found an association with reduced risks of heart disease and cancer, but attributed this to a carotenoid called lycopene, ignoring the possibility that phytoene, which tomatoes contain a lot of, could also play a significant role. In general, the recommendation is to base the diet on plant-based foods – they are the main contributors to health in the diet. It is important to remember that antioxidants, such as carotenoids, are not destroyed by cooking, so it is recommended to include in each of the main meals at least half a plate of vegetables of different types and forms of preparation.”