For people with a certain gene that increases their risk of developing Alzheimers disease as they grow older, research has found that beta-carotene may offer significant protection.

The gene in question has the biological ‘instructions’ for the blood lipoprotein apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4). Not everyone has this, with some people having apoE2 or apoE3 instead. These (apoE2 or apoE3) people are not at great risk of getting alzheimers, and for them, beta carotene only had a milder protective effect in this study by researchers at the UCLA School of Medicine. For them, the protective effect of the antioxidant beta-carotene was only 11%.

However, the big winners are those with the apoE4 coding.

When there were high levels of beta-carotene in their blood, there was a massive 89% reduction in risk of developing ‘cognitive decline’. Cognitive decline was greater in the group of people with this apoE4 biological marker, except for those with high blood levels of beta-carotene.

They go on to say:

Although the mechanism of Alzheimer’s is not clear, more support is gathering for the build-up of plaque from beta-amyloid deposits. The deposits are associated with an increase in brain cell damage and death from oxidative stress. Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=72482&m=1NIED04&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub)

Because beta-carotene is an antioxidant, it may thus offer protection against the effects of oxidation.

Beta-carotene is found in high levels in orange colored fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, pumpkin, carrots, and similar. It is also the precursor to the formation of Vitamin A. Supplements are available, although nothing quite replaces nature!