The most common neurodegenerative diseases are Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Nearly five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and a half million with Parkinson’s disease. So, in this blog, I want to explain how people can prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and what to do after getting such neurodegenerative disorders.

In the US, Alzheimer‘s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) will continue to increase each year. Alzheimer’s disease will be increased by 14 million by 2050. As for Parkinson’s disease, approximately 630,000 people had been diagnosed in 2010. It is expected to be doubled by 2040. As these Neurodegenerative diseases increase year by year, medical expenses increase as well.

In order to prevent neurodegenerative disease and reduce treatment cost, I think it is better to change the lifestyle. Especially eat anti-oxidant food such as vegetable, fruits and good proteins like fish, chicken and good fat like omega3 and olive oil. Of course, fucoidan is one of the best antioxidant foods.

First, I will explain fucoidan and Alzheimer’s Disease. One of the biggest causes of neurodegenerative disease is known to be oxidative stress. Alzheimer is characterized by chronic inflammation in the brain and formation of Advanced Glycolytic End Products (AGE’s) that are highly inflammatory, and cause massive destruction on neurological tissue. These inflammations will be a build-up of plaques in the brain called amyloid-beta (Aβ) that cause AD.

As fucoidan effects on AD, fucoidan inhibits Aβ-induced reactive oxygen species and block Aβ-induced reduction in whole-cell current in forebrain neurons by Jack H. Jhamandas et al. Thus fucoidan might decrease Aβ accumulation by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species.

Secondly, I will discuss the effects of fucoidan and Parkinson’s Disease. This disease is also caused by oxidized neurons, which are decreasing the level of dopamine (chemical messenger) to control movement and coordination, thus become harder to control their movement.

According to Dingzhen Luo et al., fucoidan prevent the decrease of the content of dopamine, and fucoidan pretreatment also protect dopaminergic neuron directly.

Fucoidan is, in fact, a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. As you get older, I would like to recommend taking even little of fucoidan to help in preventing these diseases. Fucoidan is beneficial in fighting them. Of course, people should watch what they eat, and do aerobics or similar exercises to keep a healthy lifestyle.