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Revista Nutrícias

On-line version ISSN 2182-7230

Abstract

CARVALHO, Teresa  and  REAL, Helena. Role of Thiamine in the Leguminous Vegetables for the Prevention and Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. Nutrícias [online]. 2015, n.24, pp.18-23. ISSN 2182-7230.

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly affects the elderly. This disease induces gradual cognitive deficits and progressive amnesic dementia, which is caused by the presence of an abnormal mass of beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles composed by TAU proteins. Alzheimer’s disease also implies functional changes of the neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is related to memory, affected in this disease. This disease symptom - memory loss - can be prevented through nutrient-rich food. In this case, thiamine, as a precursor of acetylcholine, becomes an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of the nervous system and memory improvement. This vitamin is found in the leguminous vegetables, a food group which is known to have a list of health benefits due to a considerable protein content of vegetal origin, complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, iron and vitamin B complex, particularly thiamine. Given this connection between acetylcholine and thiamine, and the influence of a healthy food pattern on health status, the low consumption of leguminous vegetables in the population, especially in the elderly, has become a public health concern. Therefore, an intervention is needed aiming the increase of leguminous consumption in the community, to be possible to experience the health benefits, in particular to prevent and improve neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords : Alzheimer's disease; Leguminous; Mediterranean diet; Neurodegenerative diseases; Thiamine.

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