An article published in The FASEB Journal reports the discovery of Temple University researchers of the benefit of a low methionine diet in slowing or reversing early to moderate stage Alzheimer’s disease in an animal model.*

The researchers divided mice bred to develop Alzheimer’s disease to receive a high methionine diet or a healthy (control) diet for 5 months, following which the group receiving the methionine-rich diet was subdivided to receive the same regimen or the healthy diet for two months. Mice on the methionine-rich diet had higher homocysteine levels and significant behavioral impairments at 5 months compared to the control group. While those that remained on the high methionine diet continued to show elevations in homocysteine, those that were switched to the healthy diet experienced reductions in homocysteine as well as improvements in fear-conditioning performance and a decrease in brain amyloid levels, which are elevated in Alzheimer’s disease.

Editor’s note: A byproduct of methionine metabolism is homocysteine, which when elevated has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well as cardiovascular disease. Adequate B vitamin intake can help reduce homocysteine production. Those who consume red meat often have higher methionine levels.

—Dayna Dye

An article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals the finding of a protective effect for omega-3 fatty acid and fish consumption against the development of age-related hearing loss.*

Australian researchers evaluated data from participants in the Blue Mountains Hearing Study of age-related hearing loss. Greater total omega-3 fatty acid intake upon enrollment was associated with a lower risk of hearing loss, and increased long chain omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a reduced risk of developing hearing loss over follow-up. A reduction was also observed among those who consumed at least 2 servings of fish per week, who had a 42% lower risk of hearing loss at the five-year follow-up compared with those who ate one serving per week. Additionally, a reduced risk of hearing loss progression was observed in those who consumed one to two servings of fish per week.

Editor’s note: Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA).

—Dayna Dye

Below is a list of studies we are currently conducting.

If you or someone you know meets the qualifications and would like to participate, call now to set up enrollment!

(CL025) Alzheimer’s Disease-South Florida Location

Twenty million Americans are destined to contract Alzheimer’s disease, an afflication that robs us of memory, intelligence, and eventually our most rudimentary cognitive abilities. The few drugs approved to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms produce only modest short-term effects and some patients cannot tolerate them at all. The objective of this study is to measure the effects of weekly medication injections and nutritional supplements that may help suppress the inflammatory factor implicated in the neuronal degeneration of Alzheimer’s disease. This study requires weekly visits and runs approximately 17 weeks. You will receive blood tests, evaluations, blood pressure checks as well as study medication and supplements at no cost to you.

We are seeking adults between the ages of 60-85 who have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in the mild to moderate stage. If you or someone you know meets these requirements, you may qualify for this study.

(CL030A) Comprehensive Weight Management Program-South Florida Location

This program includes the use of nutritional supplements, medications, and hormone testing with assessment tools in order to evaluate the management of your weight. The program lasts 180 days.

We are currently seeking adults between the ages of 35-55 who are able to follow a recommended diet program, conduct some form of exercise throughout the program and be available to return to the investigator physician’s office at the recommended time intervals for assessments. If you or someone you know meets these requirements, you may qualify to participate in this program.

(CL037) Supporting Healthy Cholesterol Levels-South Florida Location

Life Extension Clinical Research Inc. is pleased to announce a new clinical study with a combination product in order to assess its effect in promoting healthy cholesterol levels, which is critical to your cardiovascular health.

We are currently seeking adults between the ages of 21-65 for this study.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in any of the above studies, please call Life Extension Clinical Research at 1-866-517-4536 for more information or visit the following website at www.lef.org/clinicalresearch. Click on “Register for Open Studies” and follow the directions to complete registration.

Participate in a groundbreaking study today!