Antrodia camphorata: A natural remedy and therapy against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases

Alzheimer’s incidence rates have multiplied to the point of being considered a serious public health issue. Along with other neurodegenerative diseases it has been a cause of worry to governmental and research institutions, which have worked day and night with the objective of finding some kind of effective treatment.

This disease has been deemed the most common form of dementia, which affects millions of elderly people every year. The company Golden Biotechnology Corporation has various patents to develop medications using extracts of Antrodia camphorata which could be useful against neurodegenerative diseases.

What causes Alzheimer’s?
Scientists have not been able to pinpoint what causes Alzheimer’s. All they know is that there is a progressive deterioration of neurons involved. Nonetheless, they have identified excess amounts of two proteins in the brains of those afflicted: beta amyloid and tau.

Both components form abnormal deposits that cause an imbalance in the structure of the organ. In the case of beta-amyloid, a denaturalization has been observed that causes senile plaques.

Although the cause is unknown, there are many risk factors that make people more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. The main variable has to do with advanced age, especially after the age of 65. Genetics are also a factor, as having a relative with this disease seems to increase the likelihood of having it.

We cannot dismiss the fact that living a healthy life during one’s elderly years makes one less likely to suffer from this disease. Good lifestyle choices to make include controlling weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, doing exercises and avoiding stress.   

A natural remedy for the brain
Using the extracts from the mushroom Antrodia camphorata, the Taiwanese company Golden Biotechnology Corporation received approval to develop effective methods and compounds from many parts of the world in the treatment against neurodegenerative diseases.

It has been shown that this natural remedy reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other cerebral pathologies, in addition to being effective in reducing and improving the symptoms of neural damage. This is because it inhibits the effects of beta amyloid, the main protein that causes damages.

Among the diseases treated include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, lateral amyotrophic sclerosis, and syndromes of cerebrovascular related accidents.  

The hopes to fight said diseases have intensified because Antroquinonol, derived from Antrodia camphorata, was recognized in the Advance Queensland – Johnson & Johnson Innovation QuickFire Challenge in 2016 among 100 competitors. It has been positioned as a possible treatment against Alzheimer’s and its effectiveness is still being measured in clinical trials.

Positive effects
In the development of Alzheimer’s disease, we can observe inflammation and oxidative stress, the main causes of neurodegeneration. Little by little the patient loses synaptic capacities and thus, memory deteriorates. One application of Antrodia camphorata during the first stages of the pathology helped alleviate the function deterioration of the brain.

The extract of the mushroom mycelium has antioxidant effects on the neurons, while at the same time inhibiting the formation of senile plaques and glial scars, reducing alterations in the memory and cerebral atrophy.

Various potential benefits have been observed from Antrodia camphorata in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s, such as the improvement of memory and other learning abilities. Not only is it a useful natural remedy and therapy against neurodegenerative diseases, but it is also used against various cancer cells and in the treatment against hepatic pathologies.