With the country's population aging rapidly, the number of senior citizens suffering from various types of dementia is on the rise in South Korea.<br />However, in a potential breakthrough, local researchers have found that mature silkworms could be used to help prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease.<br />Park Se-young has more.<br />A fully grown silkworm is rich in proteins, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids and other things that your body needs.<br />Korean researchers made powder using freeze-dried mature silkworms and gave it to mice with Alzheimer's DNA.<br />In the mice that were treated with the powder, the Alzheimer's disease didn't worsen.<br />They had much better spatial memory and postural control.<br />The mice were also more curious, less aggressive and got along better with other mice.<br />"In mice with Alzheimer's disease, we found that the treatment improved memory and increased sociability and curiosity for new things."<br />The researchers say eating about three to five grams of silkworm powder a day can help prevent healthy people from getting Alzheimer's disease.<br />"The demand for mature silkworm is expected to rise with its confirmed effects for Alzheimer's prevention. We will do our best to expand the number of farms with production techniques."<br />In 2018, about ten percent of people aged 65 and over were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in Korea.<br />The study is expected to draw lots of attention amid the need for new ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer's.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News.<br />
