Experts are currently investigating this potential link

Mar 9, 2012 23:31 GMT  ·  By

According to the conclusions of a new study, it would appear that vitamin D3 has some interesting effects on our genes. When activated by the chemical, one particular gene can trigger a cascade of processes that ultimately allows the immune system to address Alzheimer's disease.

This neurodegenerative form of dementia is not caused by an infection, but one of its hallmarks is the presence of elevated amounts of amyloid beta proteins in the brain. The molecule forms plaques on nerve cells, which eventually leads to cell death.

By activating the key gene with vitamin D3 and curcumin, experts can force the immune system to clean up the excess amyloid beta from the brain, preventing the onset of Alzheimer's, and reducing the severity of symptoms in existing patients.

This interesting correlation was found some time ago, but scientists had no idea how the process actually worked. They say that sufficient daily amounts of vitamin D3 are produced by the human skin after just 10 minutes of exposure to the Sun every day.

“This new study helped clarify the key mechanisms involved, which will help us better understand the usefulness of vitamin D3 and curcumin as possible therapies for Alzheimer’s disease,” explains Milan Fiala, MD, quoted by PsychCentral.

The expert, an author of the new study, holds an appointment as a researcher at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine, and also at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

“Our findings demonstrate that active forms of vitamin D3 may be an important regulator of immune activities of macrophages in helping to clear amyloid plaques by directly regulating the expression of genes, as well as the structural physical workings of the cells,” adds Dr. Mathew T. Mizwicki.

The assistant research biochemist held an appointment with the University of California in Riverside (UCR) Department of Biochemistry while the investigation was conducted. He was also an author of the research paper.

Researchers published the results of their work in the latest issue of the esteemed Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. They say that they will continue to investigate this link, in hopes of being able to come up with a vitamin D3-based therapy for Alzheimer's to conduct human clinical trials with.