Researchers from the University of Seville in Spain, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Kent in the U.K., have made an exciting discovery that could have significant implications for health and longevity.
They found that a natural compound called phytoene, which is found in various fruits and vegetables, can extend the lifespan of a tiny organism called Caenorhabditis elegans and protect against symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Phytoene is a type of carotenoid, a pigment found in foods like tomatoes, carrots, apricots, red peppers, oranges, mandarins, and passion fruit.
Carotenoids are known for their bright colors and health benefits. In this study, researchers discovered that phytoene increased the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans by 10% to 18.6%.
Even more impressively, phytoene reduced the harmful effects of amyloid plaques—clumps of protein that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease—by 30% to 40%.
The study, which is part of Ángeles Morón Ortiz’s doctoral research, tested both pure phytoene and phytoene-rich extracts from microalgae. The findings are promising and have been published in the scientific journal Antioxidants.
The researchers are now seeking additional funding to explore how phytoene produces these beneficial effects.
Caenorhabditis elegans is a small worm often used in biomedical research. Despite its simplicity, it has contributed to significant scientific discoveries, including those that have won Nobel Prizes, such as the study of programmed cell death and the use of the GFP protein.
Professor Antonio Jesús Meléndez Martínez, who leads the research team, has spent 15 years studying phytoene.
His team is focused on finding sustainable ways to produce healthy foods that reduce the risk of disease. They are particularly interested in how carotenoids like phytoene can be used in agriculture, nutrition, and even cosmetics.
Phytoene is efficiently absorbed by the body and can be found in various tissues, including the skin, where it may offer protection against ultraviolet radiation. The research team hopes that their findings will lead to new ways to use phytoene to improve health and potentially prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
