A new study from the University of Copenhagen has found that urolithin A, a compound found in pomegranates, strawberries, and walnuts, can improve memory and potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. While the research, initially conducted on mouse models, shows that urolithin A can effectively remove damaged mitochondria from the brain, human clinical trials are upcoming.
“Many patients with neurodegenerative diseases experience mitochondrial dysfunction, also known as mitophagy. This means that the brain has difficulties removing weak mitochondria, which thus accumulate and affect brain function. If you are able to stimulate the mitophagy process, removing weak mitochondria, you will see some very positive results,” Vilhelm Bohr explains.
“We still cannot say anything conclusive about the dosage. But I imagine that it is more than a pomegranate a day. However, the substance is already available in pill form, and we are currently trying to find the right dosage,” Vilhelm Bohr says.“The advantage of working with a natural substance is the reduced risk of side effects. Several studies so far show that there are no serious side effects of NAD supplementation.