Drinking Three Glasses of Milk Prevents Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
Drinking three glasses of milk prevents Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), new research suggests. Researchers found a correlation between milk consumption and higher levels of a naturally-occurring antioxidant called glutathione in healthy older people.
The antioxidant is believed to help stave off oxidative stress and the resulting damage caused by reactive chemical compounds produced during the normal metabolic process in the brain.
Glutathione is an antioxidant found in brain
Researcher team asked the 60 participants in the study about their diets in the days leading up to brain scans, which they used to monitor levels of glutathione. The researchers found that participants who had indicated they had drunk milk recently had higher levels of glutathione in their brains. This is important, the researchers said, because glutathione could help stave off oxidative stress and the resulting damage caused by reactive chemical compounds produced during the normal metabolic process in the brain. Oxidative stress is known to be associated with a number of different diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and many other conditions, said Dr. Choi. The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Glutathione is used as an inhibitor of melanin in the cosmetics industry
A randomised, controlled trial that seeks to determine the precise effect of milk consumption on the brain is still needed and is a logical next step to this study, the researchers said.
About Glutathione
Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea, preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals and peroxides. It is a tripeptide with a gamma peptide linkage between the carboxyl group of the glutamate side-chain and the amine group of cysteine (which is attached by normal peptide linkage to a glycine). Glutathione is not an essential nutrient, since it can be biosynthesized in the body from the amino acids L-cysteine, L-glutamic acid, and glycine. The sulfhydryl group (SH) of cysteine serves as a proton donor and is responsible for its biological activity.
Main function of Glutathione:
1. In the neutralization of free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds, as well as maintaining exogenous antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in their reduced (active) forms.
2. It is used in metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA synthesis and repair, protein synthesis.
3. It has a vital function in iron metabolism.
4. It is used as an inhibitor of melanin in the cosmetics industry. In countries such as Japan and the Philippines, this product is sold as a skin-whitening soap.
India and Milk
Since year 2000+, India is having this economic boon, where everything/everyone is talking of being "productive". This has a direct result in the overall health of Indians. We consume milk in quantities which are much more than what Westerns do. Still, we have people suffering due to AD, PD, and many other mental/physical conditions. Does it imply that glutathione works only for a certain genotype, and totally ignores the rest?
The answer likes in how we change our life and lifestyle. A good healthy diet will always play it part in the development of body and mind, but it how we keep our body/mind is very important. Growth (monetary and otherwise) will always bring stress, it is how you handle it, makes the difference. Drinking milk and thinking all the day how to pay your monthly bills, EMIs, sales data, presentations, etc. will not make any difference. Learn to live within your limits, relax and let go; or else pay the price like the West.
Eat Healthy, Live Healthy
