Question 1
Do you suspect nutrients such as vitamins and minerals could induce, aggregate, and/or possibly prevent the misfolding of proteins?
In Chapter 4 we learned about the structures of proteins, ultimately leading to the actual folding of a fully-formed protein. It is a meticulous process that may produce misfolded proteins. In diseases such as Alzheimer’s, the ongoing occurrence of protein misfolding results in the deterioration of brain activity, further resulting in memory loss, confusion, delusion, etc.
The brain physically changes as the neurodegenerative disease advances. It has been established that the brain shrinks and develops amyloid plaques, which appear as abnormal clumps, and neurofibrillary tangles, which appear as bundles of fibers.
In one study published in 2011, the accumulation of metals was found in the plaques described. It states, “Within the mature plaques from diseased brains, high concentrations of metals such as Fe, Cu, and Zn are also found…this finding implies that along with protein aggregate accumulation, metals may contribute to [Alzheimer’s] onset and progression.” (DeToma et al., 2011)
The metals mentioned are nutritionally essential trace metals. Though they are not needed in large quantities, they are needed in the body for certain processes. I found the accumulation of the metals in these clumps to be fascinating and wonder if these metals may have been consumed in excess or other possibilities.
How might our diets influence the misfolding of proteins?
Question 2
Vegans must combine amino acids from different sources to form a complete protein, do all the essential amino acids need to be eaten at once or can a ‘complete protein’ be comprised of different meals throughout the day?
