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Rediscovering the forgotten gem: Jerusalem artichoke's health benefits and culinary uses

It’s quite unlike anything else, so many people prefer to skip it in the store. Some consider it a newfangled cuisine product and label it "gourmet." However, it's worth knowing that once, before other vegetables, people used to eat Jerusalem artichoke. Today, it's known that these variously shaped tubers have numerous health benefits; they regulate the digestive system, help with constipation, and lower blood sugar levels.

The homeland of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is North America. These tubers migrated in the 18th century, appearing on menus relatively quickly before being replaced by another vegetable. So effectively, today, few know what Jerusalem artichoke is and that it was present in our cuisine hundreds of years ago.

After all, potatoes haven't always been with us. Before their extensive cultivation, versatile vegetables like turnips were used for special culinary tasks. Methods of using turnips were the template for the later use of potatoes.

Jerusalem artichoke - is it healthy?

Yes, very much so, and diabetics should especially note it. Jerusalem artichoke is a source of inulin (constituting 17% of the tuber), a natural sugar from the fructan group. Inulin acts as a natural prebiotic, helping to rebuild intestinal flora, even after antibiotic treatment. Importantly, inulin normalises glycaemia in type 2 diabetes and reduces insulin resistance. 

But that’s not the end of Jerusalem artichoke's health benefits. These tubers are also worth noting because they support digestive system functions and metabolism, help with constipation, and eliminate bacteria responsible for diarrhoea. It's worth knowing that Jerusalem artichoke facilitates the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Jerusalem artichoke has LDL cholesterol-lowering effects, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, regulates blood pressure, and is also beneficial for people on a weight loss diet. It contains a lot of fibre, which provides a feeling of fullness and regulates metabolic processes. 

Jerusalem artichoke is widely used in the kitchen; it can, for example, replace potatoes. Simply steam or boil the tubers, and before that, it's worth immersing them briefly in cold water with lemon juice to prevent discolouration. The cooking process should be short, as the vegetable cooks easily.

You can make homemade chips from the tubers by cutting the vegetables into strips and frying them till golden in deep fat with a few garlic cloves. You can also make crisps by slicing the Jerusalem artichoke thinly or pancakes similar to potato pancakes. Sauteed in butter, the tubers are a delicious addition to meat and fish dishes.

Jerusalem artichoke can also be eaten raw. It tastes sweet and slightly nutty, similar to artichoke and Brazil nuts. 

Dragon Fruit Health Benefits

Unlock the Secret Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit and Its Exotic Flavor 

Dragon fruit—also called pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pear—is an oval-shaped tropical fruit. It grows on vining cactus plants of the Hylocereus or Selenicereus genus.1 

Dragon fruit grows to the size of a baseball. It is covered with pointy green shoots resembling a dragon's spikes. While you can't consume the skin of a dragon fruit, its juicy flesh is tasty. Dragon fruit provides many nutrients with few calories. It can be eaten raw or cooked in many ways.

7 Benefits of Eating Dragon Fruit

1. Boosts Your Immune System

Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and antioxidants. It can also contain vitamin B and minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Together, these nutrients can support the development of a strong immune system by regenerating and increasing your white blood cells, which defend your body against bacteria, viruses, and free radicals (chemicals that can potentially damage cells).2 

2. Improves Cardiovascular Health

Dragon fruit seeds contain antioxidants that provide your body with omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids that may help improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack. Its benefits may also reduce total cholesterol, including low-density lipoprotein ( LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol).33. Helps Digestion

Dragon fruit is rich in dietary fiber made up of oligosaccharides. While not digested in your stomach, they act as prebiotics, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. They assist in the digestive process.3 

4. Lowers Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes

The fiber in dragon fruit helps people with type 2 diabetes feel fuller longer, lose weight, and normalize blood sugar levels. Research indicates that some people with type 2 diabetes who are not dependent on insulin may be able to decrease blood sugar levels by at least 19% when dragon fruit is consumed daily.4 

5. Aids in Reducing Cancerous Cells

Red dragon contains lycopene, a strong antioxidant that can help reduce cancerous cells in the body. Evidence shows that extract from red dragon fruit may help prevent and treat breast cancer.5 

6. Reduces Inflammation

The anti-inflammatory properties of dragon fruit may help with pain and swelling. This may help reduce chronic pain, inflammation, and tenderness from rheumatoid arthritis.6 

7. Supports Skin Health

The vitamin C and antioxidants in dragon fruit may help treat acne and slow the progression of premature aging of the skin. These nutrients may also help repair cell damage and help you achieve a more youthful appearance.2 

Dragon fruit taste and texture can vary among species and their many varieties. Generally, dragon fruit taste is described as a lightly sweet combination of a kiwi and a pear, with a slight taste of a barely ripe watermelon. Some varieties may be slightly sour.7 

The texture of a dragon fruit is comparable to a ripe pear or kiwi. It can be a little grainy and somewhat crunchy with a slightly watery quality. All dragon fruit have red, pink, or white fruit with black seeds, similar to tiny kiwi seeds.7 

Flavor can vary with the color of the flesh, as follows:8 

• White dragon fruit typically has a mild taste.
• Darker, redder dragon fruit flesh tends to be juicier and sweeter. 

While most varieties of dragon fruit are tasty, those that are underripe can taste bland. Most varieties are picked before they ripen to prevent spoilage during transportation, making them more susceptible to being underripe at purchase.7

Types of Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit Nutrition Breakdown

Dragon fruit is nutritious. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, complex carbohydrates, and antioxidants while low in dragon fruit calories.10 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the nutrition profile of a 100 gram (g) portion (approximately 3.5 ounces) of dragon fruit delivers the following:12 

• Calories: 60
• Protein: 1.18 g
• Total lipid (fat): 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12.9 g
• Total dietary fiber: 2.9 g
• Sugars: 7.65 g
• Calcium: 18 milligrams (mg)
• Iron: 0.74 mg
• Magnesium: 40 mg
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Vitamin C: 2.5 mg
• Thiamin (B1): 0 mg
• Riboflavin (B2): 0.1 mg
• Niacin (B3): 0.353 mg
• Vitamin A: 59 international units (IU)
• Total saturated fatty acids: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 g

Slicing, Storing, and Preparing

Slicing, storing, and preparing dragon fruit does not involve special procedures. Dragon fruit is commonly consumed raw. 

To slice dragon fruit, cut it in half and slice each section. You can leave the skin on and eat each piece as you would a slice of watermelon with the rind attached. Since the flesh is usually soft and juicy, cutting it in half and eating it out of the skin is the easiest way to consume it.9 

You can also cut off the rind from each side. Or, you can scoop the flesh with a spoon and slice it into bite-size pieces. 

Dragon fruit does not continue ripening once it is picked. Most dragon fruit can last up to four weeks when stored in containers in the refrigerator. The fruit will last four to five days at room temperature.8 

Dragon fruit can be eaten raw in the following ways: 

• Cut in slices or shapes
• Put in fruit salads
• Ingredient in smoothies and other drinks like margaritas 

Dragon fruit can also be consumed in the following prepared foods:9 

• Energy and fruit bars
• Ice cream
• Jelly
• Marmalade and preserves
• Juice
• Pastries
• Pulp
• Yogurt
• Frozen puree
• Frozen fruit cubes

 Where to Find Dragon Fruit

You can find dragon fruit in markets worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The primary season for dragon fruit is June through September. However, some varieties thrive during the winter months of November through February.1 

Dragon fruit is native to and grown in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Countries producing the most dragon fruit in these regions are Nicaragua and Ecuador.8 

Dragon fruit is also grown in Asia, and Vietnam is the region's top producer. It is also grown in other Asian countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand, to grow dragon fruit. Other countries that produce dragon fruit include Israel and Australia.8 

In the United States, dragon fruit is imported primarily from Southeast Asia. Domestic dragon fruit is only grown commercially in California, Florida, and Hawaii.11 As dragon fruit has grown in popularity, you can often find it in local grocery stores' produce departments or frozen food sections. 

Allergy Symptoms and Side Effects

While eating dragon fruit seems safe for most people, there have been rare reports of allergic reactions. Allergy symptoms are typical of other types of food allergies and can include the following:1314 

• Swelling of the tongue
• Hives
• Vomiting and/or stomach cramps
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Repetitive cough
• Shock or circulatory collapse
• Trouble swallowing or tight throat
• Weak pulse
  
  
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Pale or blue skin color
• Anaphylaxis (a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction that can send your body into shock and impair breathing) 

While dragon fruit is generally safe to eat daily, overconsumption can cause potential problems:15 

• Gastrointestinal problems due to consuming too much dietary fiber: bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation
• Overconsumption of antioxidants resulting in cell damage
• Interference with blood sugar levels and the function of the diabetes drug metformin because of the impact of dragon fruit on blood sugar
• Increased risk of gestational diabetes
• Increased risk of low blood pressure
• Weight gain when consumed in place of other healthy foods

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pear, is a sweet and crunchy tropical fruit. It is an oval baseball-sized fruit that grows on vining cactus plants. 

There are many versions of dragon fruit. The flesh ranges from white to red, while the skin is often pink, red, or yellow. All types of dragon fruit have tiny, edible black seeds on the flesh.

A dragon fruit provides many health benefits and is rarely linked to allergies. However, when too much is consumed, some people may have adverse effects.

Reference: Verywell Health:Anna Giorgi

Colon Cleanse Myth–Do You Have 5 to 20 lbs of Toxic Poop?

Many natural health experts have shared misinformation about "toxic poop" in the colon. According to colon cleanse providers (colonic hygienists), an adult can have between 5 and 20 pounds of residual stool in their large intestine (colon), leading to health problems such as excess weight gain, fatigue, and brain fog.

But scientific evidence doesn't support this myth.

Do you have 5 to 20 pounds of toxic poop in your colon?

A colon cleanse is a type of medicine or procedure used to clean out the large intestine. Those who promote colon cleanses often warn the public about the serious adverse effects of toxic poop; many even describe a common problem of having 5 to 20 pounds of stool backed up in the colon. 

The truth is that people do not commonly have 5 to 20 pounds of poop in their colons. In fact, on average, most people eliminate approximately 14 to 16 ounces of poop per day—and the accumulation of feces in the intestines wouldn't come close to 20 pounds. 

Even if you have long-term constipation and a very poor diet, it's still highly unlikely you'd have that much stool in your colon. 

What is toxic poop? 

Toxic poop is a term associated with fecal waste that has accumulated over time. Sometimes this occurs over months, or even years. 

Although it's uncommon for healthy people to accumulate 5 to 20 pounds of waste inside the colon walls, some people suffer from inflammatory conditions of the intestines that can cause toxicity from a malfunctioning gastrointestinal tract. In these cases detoxification is beneficial.

Is toxic poop fact or fiction, and if it exists, how do you get rid of toxic waste in the colon? Is it beneficial to undergo a colon cleansing procedure?

Though the term "toxic poop" is more fictitious than factual, certain circumstances can create an unhealthy environment in the digestive system. These factors include certain drugs and chemicals, a poor diet, and certain health conditions, including kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, and toxic megacolon.

What is toxic megacolon?

Toxic poop is often associated with a medical condition called toxic megacolon. This condition happens when the large intestine is extremely inflamed and distended. 

In some cases, the large intestine can become completely blocked, creating a dangerous buildup of gas and feces. This can lead to a life-threatening colon rupture. 

Toxic megacolon is most often caused by inflammatory bowel diseases—through colon cancer can also be a factor.

Esophageal and intestinal blockages can also cause toxic megacolon, but more commonly, infections (like inflammatory colitis) are the culprit. This type of toxicity can cause tachycardia (fast heart rate), low blood pressure, and changes in mental status. 

You should never use extreme methods of colon cleansing, including colonics if you suspect you have toxic megacolon.  

Toxic megacolon risk factors and symptoms

Risk factors associated with toxic megacolon include: 

• Ulcerative colitis

• Crohn's disease 

• Colon infection (most often C. difficile)

• Colon ischemia (low blood flow to the colon)

• Colon cancer (rarely)

A recent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosis can also increase your risk of toxic megacolon. IBS involves abnormally strong intestinal contractions that cause gas and bloating and bouts of constipation and diarrhea.

The following signs can indicate you have a toxic digestive tract:

• Severe colon inflammation

• Painful abdominal region

• Abdominal distension (swollen with trapped gas and feces)  

• Fever

• Rapid heart rate

• Dehydration 

• Altered mental status 

Potential life-threatening complications of toxic megacolon include:

• Colon perforation

• Bleeding

• Sepsis

• Shock

Are colon cleanses healthy?

Harsh colon cleansing—like colonics and extreme dietary cleanses—can flush out important gut bacteria, causing a disruption in healthy digestion and compromising immune system function. 

It's important to understand the dangers of colonic irrigation and other colon cleansing products on your digestive and gut health. In most cases, colonics are not recommended for detoxification. In fact, if done incorrectly, they can cause severe complications, including infection, anal fissures, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration.

If you must do a colon cleanse, replenish your friendly gut microbes with quality probiotics and prebiotics. 

How gut microbes affect digestion 

What are gut microbes, and how do they impact the digestive system? Gut microbes are required for normal digestion and other important body functions, such as immune system function. They even help the body fight infectious diseases.

Friendly microbes help perform many important functions in the body, including:

• Breaking down food

• Assisting the body's ability to use food as nutrients

• Controlling the overgrowth of harmful, unfriendly microbes

• Helping prevent gas and bloating by maintaining a healthy balance of friendly microbes 

• Supporting immune system function

Your gut microbiome consists of trillions of fungi, bacteria, and other microbes. The right balance of these microbes is required for a healthy digestive system. Studies have found that colon cleansing results in an immediate, substantial disruption in your intestinal flora.

Factors that influence gut microbes

Factors that increase the diversity of microbes in the gut include:

• Eating a variety of vegetable fibers

• Losing weight

• Fasting (strengthens and develops microbes)

• Ingesting polyphenols (such as nuts and berries)

• Consuming fermented vegetables

Factors that decrease the diversity of gut microbes include:

• Eating too often

• Sugar consumption

• Taking antibiotics

• Consuming alcohol

• Eating GMO foods 

• Consuming artificial sweeteners

• Being overweight

• Having high stress levels

How to cleanse your colon naturally

Eating a healthy diet and employing beneficial lifestyle choices should be the first defense against most problems that colon cleansing products are used for. 

Some colon cleanses not only deplete healthy gut microbes but also decrease electrolytes. Electrolytes and friendly gut flora must be replaced to prevent further digestive issues. 

If diet and lifestyle changes are ineffective, a colon cleanse can be used—but it's not a healthy long-term solution to digestive issues and constipation. 

Constipation is when you eliminate fewer than three times per week. Optimally, you should be going at least once daily and preferably a couple of times per day. 

The most effective way to keep the bowels regular is with proper nutrition. Vegetable fiber, adequate hydration, and reducing stress can help keep your elimination pattern regular. 

If drinking more water and increasing your fiber doesn't help with constipation, you can try an herbal laxative. 

Other possible remedies, depending on the underlying cause of constipation, may include:

• Probiotics

• Bile salts

• Hydrochloric acid 

• Pancreatic enzymes

It's important to note that you should always consult your healthcare provider before taking any type of medicine (including laxatives)—especially if your symptoms are severe or chronic.  

Nine ways to cleanse your colon

There are excellent home remedies that are extremely effective to help gut health. A healthy keto diet, intermittent fasting and home remedies for parasites are the best solutions for a toxic colon.

Probiotics

Probiotics are usually taken for diarrhea, not for constipation, but there are two types of probiotics that can help with constipation: lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. Try adding more foods to your diet that are rich in probiotics, including kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, and kombucha.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics support the growth of gut bacteria. They are indigestible carbs (fiber) that act as a source of food for microbes. Prebiotics in vegetables, pistachios, almonds, and berries can encourage the growth of healthy bacteria, including bifidobacteria.

Reduce stress

Many digestive disorders, including IBS, are stress induced. Stress management can help with these conditions. Depression and stress also promote the growth of pathogenic gut bacteria and weaken the gut barrier.

Healthy Keto

The Healthy Keto diet is key to maintaining a healthy digestive system and colon. Keto replaces high-sugar foods that are bad for the digestive system with nutrient-rich foods that promote colon health. 

Intermittent fasting

When you have frequent meals and snacks, your digestive tract is never able to completely eliminate its content. Your body was not designed to eat constantly, so frequent snacks and meals can overwhelm your digestive system, causing malabsorption and incomplete digestion. Intermittent fasting is the best way to combat these issues. 

Natural laxatives

Natural laxatives are often more gentle and can promote healthy bowel function. Senna, cascara sagrada, black psyllium, castor oil, and magnesium are excellent natural laxatives. 

Adequate hydration

Dehydration and overhydration can affect your digestion and regularity. Inadequate hydration can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and constipation. Overhydration can flush out electrolytes that are vital for colon function. The key to adequate hydration is to drink when you're thirsty. Don't force yourself to drink more than you need. 

Purified bile salts

Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Normal bile levels are crucial for lubricating your colon to allow food to properly move through your digestive tract. It also helps keep your microbial balance in check. You can increase your bile by taking purified bile salts. Keep in mind that too much bile can cause diarrhea, so avoid taking bile salts if you have diarrhea.

Exercise 

Exercise improves your gut flora by supporting the diversity and balance of friendly gut microbes. Just six weeks of regular exercise can cause a significant improvement in your overall gut microbiota. Try going for a long walk each day or spend some time doing some enjoyable and relaxing physical work, like gardening.

Key takeaways

Toxic poop is believed to be a buildup of toxins and fecal waste that has accumulated in your colon over time, which can adversely impact your health. But it's important to differentiate facts from fiction when it comes to colon health and colon cleansing. 

It's a myth that people commonly have 5 to 20 pounds of toxic stool accumulation. The only exception is a very rare inflammatory condition called toxic megacolon, which causes a toxic environment in the colon.

Colon cleansing and other methods of flushing fecal matter from the colon can cause more harm than good. In fact, colonics can flush out crucial microorganisms and cause dehydration.

For most people, colonics are entirely unnecessary to eliminate toxins or cleanse the colon. The feces that are flushed out during these procedures would've been eliminated anyways during your next bowel movement.

Eating right, staying hydrated, keeping stress at bay, and getting plenty of exercise are the best ways to promote healthy digestion and a clean colon. 

FAQ's

1. Can poop poison you?

In almost all cases, the poop that is moving through your large intestine is not toxic and will not poison you while it's in your colon. In rare cases, a condition called toxic megacolon will require immediate medical attention. However, feces are toxic to ingest, and food contamination can result in food poisoning.  

2. How do I do a colon cleanse?

The best way to cleanse your colon is with healthy diet and lifestyle choices. In most cases, colonics are not beneficial. There are many popular over-the-counter colon cleanser products, including capsules and powder for self-colon cleansing. However, these don't provide long-term benefits.

3. Are your bowels ever completely empty?

No. Even after bouts of diarrhea, the colon is never completely empty. Feces are continuously formed, and colon cleansing does not empty the entire colon.

4. How much toxic poop is in your body?

It's a myth that you have toxic poop that needs to be flushed out of your body. Except for in extremely rare cases, there is no toxic poop stuck in your body. Poop is natural, and your gastrointestinal tract will eliminate it as needed. Even occasional constipation is not a sign you have 5 to 20 pounds of toxic poop stuck in your colon.

5. How do I get rid of toxic poop?

Since the term "toxic poop" is a myth, you don't need to do any type of colon cleansing procedure to flush out your stool. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and avoiding dehydration will naturally support regularity. Colon cleansing and colonic irrigation procedures are not necessary.

6. What does toxic (megacolon) poop look like?

Depending on the underlying cause of toxic megacolon, your stool can vary in color and texture. It may become a greenish color instead of brown—and in severe cases, toxicity of the colon may result in the formation of hard fecal masses called fecalomas.

7. What is a colonic?

A colonic hygienist performs colon cleansing in a clinic setting by inserting a tube into the rectum and introducing a large amount of water into the colon. Water, along with feces, is flushed out of the large intestine (colon), in the same way you pass bowel movements. You don't need a colonic to maintain a healthy and clean colon. 

Reference: Dr Eric Berg

Can one PET scan predict your cognitive future? Insights from a new study of older adults

Alongitudinal study of older adults has shown that individuals with higher concentrations of amyloid beta proteins in their brains experienced accelerated cognitive decline. This finding suggests that a single positron emission tomography (PET) scan assessing amyloid beta protein levels in the brain could be sufficient to predict the rate of cognitive decline in individuals. The study was published in the journal NeuroImage: Clinical. 

Amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques are protein deposits that accumulate in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and, to a lesser extent, in several other types of age-related dementias. These plaques consist of densely packed fibers of amyloid beta, a protein normally produced and soluble in the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, this protein misfolds and aggregates into plaques, disrupting cell function and leading to neuron death in affected areas, which ultimately results in cognitive decline.  

The precise role of amyloid beta plaques in Alzheimer’s development is still under investigation. Some researchers believe these plaques initiate a series of neurodegenerative events, including inflammation and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, another pathological marker. 

Research also indicates that Alzheimer’s disease has a lengthy preclinical phase, lasting 10 to 20 years, during which there are no evident symptoms of cognitive decline. However, various pathological changes, such as the accumulation of amyloid beta and another protein called tau, gradually occur in the brain. These changes disrupt the structure of brain neurons, and cognitive decline becomes apparent only after these accumulations reach substantial levels. 

In their new study, Gengsheng Chen and her colleagues aimed to determine whether a single measurement of amyloid beta protein levels in the brain can more accurately predict cognitive decline compared to tracking changes in this protein over time. They examined the relationship between cognitive ability indicators and amyloid beta protein levels in the brain.

The data for this study were collected from 153 older adults participating in longitudinal memory and aging studies at the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis. The participants’ average age was 70 years, 57% were female, and 34% carried a genetic variant known to increase Alzheimer’s disease risk (APOE ε4 carriers). The average follow-up period was six years.

Throughout the study, participants underwent clinical dementia assessments, completed a battery of 10 different neurocognitive tests, and received positron emission tomography scans. Each participant included in the study had at least two assessments and two PET scans over the study period.

Positron emission tomography, or PET, is an imaging technique that uses radioactive substances, known as tracers, to visualize and measure metabolic processes in the body. This provides insights into organ and tissue function. The researchers used a tracer called Pittsburgh Compound B, which binds specifically to amyloid-beta plaques, allowing for the identification and quantification of these plaques in the brain.

The results revealed that individuals with higher amyloid beta protein concentrations in the brain at the study’s start experienced more rapid cognitive decline as the study progressed. However, changes in amyloid beta concentrations measured through multiple PET scans did not correlate with the rate of cognitive decline.

Overall, males, older individuals, and those with less education tended to have lower cognitive abilities at the beginning of the study. The sex of participants did not influence the relationship between amyloid beta concentrations and the rate of cognitive decline. Individuals carrying the APOE ε4 allele, associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, exhibited faster cognitive decline.

Further analysis indicated that individuals with very low and very high initial levels of amyloid plaque had slower rates of plaque accumulation, while those with medium concentrations at the start tended to experience faster accumulation rates.

“The current study provides evidence that baseline Aβ [amyloid beta concentration] is more accurate than longitudinal Aβ for predicting cognition decline. Importantly, this study also confirms that covariates, such as the presence of the APOE ε4 allele, have deleterious group level effects on the ability of longitudinal Aβ measures to predict cognitive decline. From a clinical point of view, these results are encouraging as they provide evidence that only one amyloid positive PET scan is necessary in order to make predictions about future cognitive decline in individuals at risk for developing AD [Alzheimer’s disease],” the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the links between amyloid beta accumulation and cognitive decline. However, the design of the study does not allow any cause-and-effect conclusions to be drawn from the data. Therefore, it remains unclear whether the accumulation of amyloid beta plaque leads to cognitive decline or there is another factor or group of factors responsible both for cognitive decline and abnormal protein accumulation.

The paper, “Predicting cognitive decline: Which is more useful, baseline amyloid levels or longitudinal change?”, was authored by Gengsheng Chen, Nicole S. McKay, Brian A. Gordon, Jingxia Liu, Nelly Joseph-Mathurin, Suzanne E. Schindler, Jason Hassenstab, Andrew J. Aschenbrenner, Qing Wang, Stephanie A. Schultz, Yi Su, Pamela J LaMontagne, Sarah J. Keefe, Parinaz Massoumzadeh, Carlos Cruchaga, Chengjie Xiong, John C. Morris, and Tammie L.S. Benzinger. 

Reference: PSY Post