How Xanthohumol Can Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease has been called “type three diabetes” because it’s often a result of high blood sugar or metabolic syndrome. Alzheimer’s shares symptoms and features that overlap with both type one and type two diabetes, such as chronic inflammation and endothelium dysfunction (usually defined as when the inner lining of the blood vessels is too constrictive, limiting blood flow).2 In studies of diabetic mice, researchers find that xanthohumol can decrease inflammation and free radical damage, and improve blood circulation.3 Improved blood circulation and less inflammation help keep the brain healthy, reducing the risk of ischemic stroke and cognitive decline brought on by dying neurons starved of nutrients. One study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, found that alpha acids (iso-α-acids; also known as isoxanthohumol, the chemical formed when hops is boiled in the beer-making process) can suppress inflammation and control overactive microglia.4 Microglia, as I’ve mentioned before, are the "janitors" of the central nervous system. They clear out old cells and cell debris. Chronic inflammation causes microglia to go into overdrive, damaging healthy neurons. In the study, the researchers fed alpha acids to Alzheimer’s-model mice and found that it reduced beta amyloid plaques by as much as 21%. The study concluded that "the suppression of neuroinflammation and improvement in cognitive function suggests that iso-α-acids contained in beer may be useful for the prevention of dementia."How to Get More Xanthohumol in Your Diet
Even though xanthohumol is found in the hops plant, and hops are common in beer, drinking beer isn’t a practical way to get a clinical dose of the nutrient. While there is a small amount of xanthohumol in beer, especially in "hoppy" beers like India Pale Ales (IPAs), by the time the raw hops flowers have been mashed, boiled, fermented and strained into beer, the amount of xanthohumol left is tiny. You’d have to drink 300 beers a day to get the full benefit. Definitely not recommended. The best way to harness the power of this micronutrient is to take 5 mg daily of concentrated liquid xanthohumol. Liquid is best, as the body has trouble absorbing powdered or tablet forms. There are several patented or patent-pending xanthohumol supplements available on the market. Shop around for the best products, and check the label to be sure you get one free from preservatives, alcohol and additives. Based on the evidence we have, a xanthohumol supplement looks to be another way to keep your brain healthy and help to prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. When taken in healthy doses, xanthohumol is completely nontoxic.- Determination of isoxanthohumol, xanthohumol, alpha and beta bitter acids, and trans- and cis-iso-alpha-acids in beer using HPLC with UV and electrochemical detection.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Is Type 3 Diabetes–Evidence Reviewed.
- Xanthohumol Modulates Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Angiogenesis in Type 1 Diabetic Rat Skin Wound Healing.
- Iso-α-acids, Bitter Components of Beer, Prevent Inflammation and Cognitive Decline Induced in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
