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Dementia risk was linked with blood levels of certain antioxidants, an observational study showed. Higher serum levels of lutein+zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin -- two types of carotenoids -- were tied to a lower risk of incident dementia, reported May Beydoun, PhD, MPH, of the NIH National Institute on Aging in Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues, in  Neurology . Findings were attenuated in adjusted analyses, suggesting socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and diet quality may mediate the associations. When oxidative stress occurs at an abnormally high level, consuming antioxidants may help protect cells of the body, including brain cells, from damage, Beydoun noted. "Carotenoids, which are the pigments found in orange and yellow plants, are converted by the body into vitamin A. We found that the most important carotenoids in potentially protecting the brain may be lutein+zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin," she told  MedPage Today . "Unlike other studies, we did not analy...

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK. Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not yet fully understood, although a number of things are thought to increase your risk of developing the condition. These include: increasing age a family history of the condition untreated depression, although depression can also be one of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease lifestyle factors and conditions associated with cardiovascular disease There are currently no drugs available to prevent, treat, or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease. The five FDA-approved medications available for Alzheimer’s are designed to relieve symptoms such as memory loss, for a limited time — Aricept®, Exelon®, Namenda®, Namzaric® and Razadyn...

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids, which are pigments produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables a yellow to reddish hue. They’re structurally very similar, with just a slight difference in the arrangement of their atoms ( 1 Trusted Source ).  Both are potent antioxidants and offer a range of health benefits. However, lutein and zeaxanthin are best known for protecting your eyes. This article discusses the benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as supplement dosages, safety and food sources. They’re Important Antioxidants Lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants that defend your body against unstable molecules called free radicals. In excess, free radicals can damage your cells, contribute to aging and lead to the progression of diseases like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease ( R ). Trusted Source Lutein and zeaxanthin protect your body’s proteins, fats an...