EMILY GERLACH

Food for Thought: PHYTOCHEMICALS

Objectives

Accurately define phytochemicals and food sources of phytochemicals.

State potential health benefits of phytochemicals.Recognize neurodegenerative conditions that may be

affected by phytochemicals.Understand the connection between aging and

cognition.Understand the connection between phytochemicals

and neurological function, particularly related to cognition.

Discuss how to incorporate this information into practice.

Phytochemicals

Plant-derived compoundsResponsible for color, flavor and odorDisease protectionSources: fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans,

whole grains, nuts, seeds, spices, tea, wine

(Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S, 2008), (Phytochemicals, 2016), (Webb D, 2013)

Potential Health Benefits

Lower incidence of diseaseAntioxidantHormonal actionEnzyme stimulationInhibit DNA replicationAnti-bacterial effectsPhysical properties

(Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S, 2008), (Phytochemicals, 2016), (Webb D, 2013) , (Cancalon PF)

Neurodegenerative Conditions of Focus

Parkinson’s diseaseHuntington’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease

(Kelley GR, 2015), (Swierzewski SJ, 2015), (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016)

Aging and Cognition

Oxidative stress and inflammationDomains most affected

Attention Memory

Affect brain and the development of neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s Huntington’s

(Harada CN, 2014), (Harada CN, 2013), (Emory University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 2016), (Gilsky EL, 2007)

Phytochemicals and Cognition

Exhibit neuroprotective effectsControl oxidative damageReverse cell damage, slow progression of

neuron lossInfluence neurotransmitter receptor function

(Kumar GP, 2012), (Kumar GP, 2012)

Types of Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals

Terpenoids

Titerpenoid

Saponin

Phenolic compounds

Polyphenols

Flavonoids

Resveratrol

Catechins

Curcuminoid

Curcumin

Glucosinolates

Isothiocyanate

Sulforaphane

Indoles

Allicin

Allium

Phenols

Neuron protection against oxidative and metabolic stress Damage by 6-hydroxydopamine in rat model of

Parkinson’s disease Ischemia reperfusion injury in retinal neurons Neurotoxicity in Huntington’s disease models

Phenolic compounds Flavonoids

Resveratrol Catechins

Curcuminoid Curcumin

(Kumar GP, 2012)

Flavonoids

Can cross blood brain barrierMemory and learning improvementNeuron protectionStimulation of neuron regenerationFlavonoids and cognition

Resveratrol Catechins

(Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S, 2008), (Spencer JP, 2009)

Resveratrol

Foods Red grapes and wine, eucalyptus, blueberries, peanuts, etc.

Antioxidant activity Reduce oxidative stress

Protection Against ischemic injury (neurons in the brain and spinal

cord) Against metabolic stress (Parkinson’s model) Against death (neuronal cells, Alzheimer’s model)

Reverse emotional and spatial cognitive defects (rat model)

(Howes MJ, 2011), (Kumar GP, 2012), (Venkatesan R, 2015)

Catechins

Catechins Foods

Green tea, cocoa, blackberries, beans Slow progression of and protect neurons against

Alzheimer’s Induce expression of cell-survival genes, anti-

inflammatory, up-regulation of antioxidant defenseEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Acts as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Reduces B-amyloid accumulation

(Kumar GP, 2012), (Chang X et al, 2015)

Curcumin

Stroke Protect against ischemic cell death and ameliorate

behavioral deficitsPrevention and treatment of

Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s Stroke Depression

Reverse chronic hippocampal neurogenesis impairment

(Howes MJ, 2011), (Kumar GP, 2012)

Sulforaphane

Foods Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cruciferous vegetables

Stroke Reduces brain damage, brain edema, protects retinal

integrityProtection

Neurons against oxidative stress Dopaminergic neurons against mitochondrial toxins

(Kumar GP, 2012)

Others

Terpenoids and Saponins Foods: soy, beans, garlic Learning and memory

Allium and allicin Foods: onions, garlic,

leeks Neuroprotection

(Kumar GP, 2012)

Other Possible Interventions

Diet Mono- and polyunsaturated fats (omega 3s) Fiber

ExerciseModerate alcohol consumptionMedicationCognitive stimulation

Chess Speaking multiple languages

(Life Extensions, 2016)

Recommendations

Fruits and vegetables! Follow guidelines for minimum, encourage more

5-9 servings daily Focus on variety Color your plate!

(Schaeffer J, 2008)

References

Heneman K, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Some Facts About Phytochemicals. http://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/content/infosheets/fact-pro-phytochemical.pdf. Published October 2008. Accessed March 17, 2016.

Phytochemicals. Phytochemicals. http://www.phytochemicals.info/. Accessed March 17, 2016. Webb D. Phytochemicals’ Role in Good Health. Today’s Dietitian.

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/090313p70.shtml. Published September 2013. Accessed March 17, 2016.

Davinelli S, Sapere N, Zella D, Bracale R, Intrieri M, Scapagnini G. Pleiotropic protective effects of phytochemicals in Alzheimer’s Disease. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:386527.

Mythri RB, Bharath MM. Curcumin: a potential neuroprotective agent in Parkinson’s disease.Curr Pharm Des. 2012;18(1):91-99.

Howes MJ, Perry E. The role of phytochemicals in the treatment ad prevention of dementia. Drugs Aging. 201128(6):439-68.

Kumar GP, Khanum F. Neuroprotective potential of phytochemicals. Pharmacogn Rev. 2012;6(12):81-90.

Cancalon PF. Brain and cognitive processes beneficial roles of citrus.http://www.fdocgrower.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/CNS-and-cognition-comsec-042011.pdf

Alvarez-Parilla E, Gonzalez-Aguilar GA. Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, Nutritional Value and Stability. 2nd ed. City, State: Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.

Harada CN, Natelson Love MC, Triebel K. Normal cognitive aging. Clin Geriatr Med. 2013;29(4):737-752.