Milk can boost your brain power

Glutathione   study

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which plays a vital role in protecting the human brain against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and  free radicals  that can damage brain tissue and lead to so-called “oxidative stress”. Oxidative stress is associated with a variety of diseases including those that affect brain functioning, like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

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Scientists have known for a long time that ROS are elevated when humans develop diseases of the brain. In addition, levels of glutathione tend to decrease significantly in older adults. It has, therefore, been the goal of researchers to seek compounds, such as nutrients to increase glutathione levels in the brain in order to combat ROS and oxidative stress, and thereby prevent brain cell damage and degenerative brain diseases.

Preliminary studies identified dairy products as the only foods so far that increased glutathione levels in brain tissue. Because this concept is so revolutionary and so few people, particularly older adults, in the United States achieve the recommended intake of three servings of dairy products per day, the KU team set out to trace glutathione levels in three different areas of the brain in 60 healthy subjects (21 men and 39 women) with an average age of 69 years.