Studies on the Anti-Cancer and Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Effect of Food Factors Including Sulfides

Abstract

Summary : In 2018 , the proportion of elderly individuals over the age of 65 years in Japan was 28 . 1％ , and the proportion is estimated to increase to 35 . 3％ by 2040 . Aging is a risk factor for various diseases such as diabe-tes, motor dysfunction, arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, cancer, and dementia. As these diseases take many years to develop, their prevention is important. Therefore, we have been studying the prevention of cancer and dementia in relation to food factors. Research on cancer prevention has shown that diallyl trisulfide （ DATS ） , a volatile flavor compound found in garlic, suppresses the growth of colon cancer cells via cell cycle arrest. DATS also promotes detoxification of carcinogenic substances by regulating drug-metabolizing enzyme activity in the liver. On the other hand, studies of dementia have shown that intake of polyunsaturated fatty acid improves cog-nitive function in a mouse model of Alzheimer ʼ s disease. These results demonstrate the potential of food factors to contribute to the extension of a healthy lifespan by preventing age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer ʼ s disease.