I was getting food cravings for cantaloupe.
I switched to a low-polyphenol diet. (I read on Longecity that astragalus should be taken with dairy products because they block polyphenols)!!
not sure about the whole ditching polyphenols thing:
Is SOD1 loss of function involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
Rachele A. Saccon, Rosie K. A. Bunton-Stasyshyn, Elizabeth M.C. Fisher, and Pietro Fratta (2013)
Mutations in the gene superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are causative for familial forms of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. When the first SOD1 mutations were identified they were postulated to give rise to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through a loss of function mechanism, but experimental data soon showed that the disease arises from a—still unknown—toxic gain of function, and the possibility that loss of function plays a role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis was abandoned. Although loss of function is not causative for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, here we re-examine two decades of evidence regarding whether loss of function may play a modifying role in SOD1–amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. From analysing published data from patients with SOD1–amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, we find a marked loss of SOD1 enzyme activity arising from almost all mutations. We continue to examine functional data from all Sod1 knockout mice and we find obvious detrimental effects within the nervous system with, interestingly, some specificity for the motor system. Here, we bring together historical and recent experimental findings to conclude that there is a possibility that SOD1 loss of function may play a modifying role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This likelihood has implications for some current therapies aimed at knocking down the level of mutant protein in patients with SOD1–amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Finally, the wide-ranging phenotypes that result from loss of function indicate that SOD1 gene sequences should be screened in diseases other than amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The beneficial effects of fruit polyphenols on brain aging.
Lau FC1, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA.
Brain aging is characterized by the continual concession to battle against insults accumulated over the years. One of the major insults is oxidative stress, which is the inability to balance and to defend against the cellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS cause oxidative damage to nucleic acid, carbohydrate, protein, and lipids. Oxidative damage is particularly detrimental to the brain, where the neuronal cells are largely post-mitotic. Therefore, damaged neurons cannot be replaced readily via mitosis. During normal aging, the brain undergoes morphological and functional modifications resulting in the observed behavioral declines such as decrements in motor and cognitive performance. These declines are augmented by neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Research from our laboratory has shown that nutritional antioxidants, such as the polyphenols found in blueberries, can reverse age-related declines in neuronal signal transduction as well as cognitive and motor deficits. Furthermore, we have shown that short-term blueberry (BB) supplementation increases hippocampal plasticity. These findings are briefly reviewed in this paper.
Natural compounds used as therapies targeting to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Nabavi SF, Daglia M, D'Antona G, Sobarzo-Sánchez E, Talas ZS, Nabavi SM1.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular disease that occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries. Despite its high morbidity and mortality, there are limited medications available for ALS that may increase survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by approximately 2-3 months. Inasmuch as negative effects of riluzole on muscle atrophy and wasting, weakness, muscle spasticity, dysarthria, dysphagia, and overall patient quality of life and its different adverse effects, much attention has been paid to natural products and herbal medicines. Overall scientific reports indicate that natural products have beneficial effects on patients with ALS low side effects and multiple targets. In the present paper, we review the scientific reports on beneficial role of natural polyphenolic compounds in treatment of ALS.
Polyphenol content, polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activity in certain Nicotiana species, varieties and interspecific hybrids
S. J. Sheen (1970)
Eight Nicotiana species including the putative progenitors of N. tabacum, Kostoff's amphidiploid (N. sylvestris × N. tomentosiformis), and 19 cultivars have been compared for total polyphenols, polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activity in the leaf and/or root by a small plant technique. Greater variations for these chemical constituents occurred in the species than in the cultivars. N. tomentosiformis was highest in polyphenol content. Root extracts contained more polyphenoloxidase than the leaf, but its peroxidase content may not exceed the concentration in the leaf. The Kostoff's amphidiploid tended to resemble more the low oxidase and polyphenol parent. An additional study based on mature green leaves of Burley 21, the progenitor species, and their F 1 hybrids confirmed the quantitative differences of these chemical constituents in the species. The magnitude of the heterosis appeared to be greater in the hybrids of N. tomentosiformis or N. otophora crossed to N. sylvestris than those between the Tomentosae members or involving Burley 21 as the parent. An exception was the hybrid Burley 21 × N. tomentosiformis which showed heterosis for oxidase activities.
basically anything is good for SOD, including vitamin C:
Both honeydew and cantaloupe melon contain high amounts of SOD. Although your body is unable to use the SOD in these fruits, they are also excellent sources of vitamin C, which may help up your production of the super antioxidant.
