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Everyone who is getting older and
can't remember where they left their glasses knows that this
question isn't really funny. I am constantly having to remind myself
that I have always been absent-minded, otherwise I might also
be tempted to worry that senility is setting in: nobody wants to
live a long life, if the price is loss of mental function.
I came across a reassuring
assessment the other day: an expert was saying that everybody
sometimes forgets what they did with the car keys. It's when
you can't remember what car keys are for that you have to
begin worrying!
Fortunately, we can take steps to make it more
likely that we will have active and alert brains into our 9th and
perhaps even 10th decades. I know that some people feel that they
are sitting on a time bomb, because a family member has suffered in
this way: I like to quote Dr. Ronald Hoffman, who says in one of his
books "while newly discovered genetic factors may cause a problem
for some people, environmental factors clearly influence the
expression of heredity, and .... preventive measures can slow,
halt or even reverse the ravages of this condition."
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Exercise lowers the risk of dementia by
approximately 45%*
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Controlling inflammation lowers ones risk of
dementia*
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Moderate drinking is beneficial*
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Adding lecithin to your supplementation may help
raise levels of acetylcholine in the brain *- many medications
for AD are designed to inhibit the breakdown of ACh
-
Adding fish oil high in DHA can lower the risk
of dementia by 47%*
The most common cause of mental
confusion is poor blood flow to the brain: maintaining adequate
cerebral and carotid circulation is crucial to proper mental
function, which means cholesterol control - preferably not through
medication, but through a preventative diet - and exercise.
The second most common cause is an
inadequate supply of certain nutrients, due either to a faulty diet,
or impaired absorption. One of my very favorite nutritional
physicians, Dr. Jonathan Wright, cites the case of an older woman
whose confusion, depression and forgetfulness had caused her to be
referred to a psychiatrist: but who responded 100% to injections of
B12. He tells of a study of 228 residents in a nursing home,
with an average age of 87. Despite good diets, and supplementation,
39% were deficient in one or more vitamins: most commonly B6,
followed by Niacin and B12.
| Some drugs affect memory, in particular
medication for high blood pressure. |
C and E, important as antioxidants, taken
together, may prove to be extremely effective at protecting the
brain against Alzheimer's. Research to this effect was
published in the journal Archives of Neurology. The
researchers found that taking a combination of vitamin E and C
seemed to have a protective effect, with people taking both vitamins
78% less likely to show signs of Alzheimer's than those not taking
the combination. Recent studies also suggest that Vitamin E is more
absorbable if taken with food, and a chewable version may be the
best way to combine the two effects.
| Surgery, particularly for weight loss, heart bypass
or anything brain related, can lead to short term memory
loss. Sometimes this can prove permanent.
Some experts suggest that monitoring/ng peripheral
oxygen levels during surgery is an inadequate measure of
oxygenation, and that cerebral oxygenation should be
monitored instead. If I were to have surgery of
ANY type, this is a question I would definitely pose to
my surgical team beforehand! |
Interestingly, a new study (Am.J
of Clin. Nutr., Apr. 2000) shows a connection
between low folic acid levels in women & Alzheimer's disease.
I say interestingly, because women also apparently have a high need
for folic acid for reproductive health (consider the
connection between Folate & birth defects, and Folate & cervical
dysplasia). I probably should restate this for accuracy: what the
study showed was that in a group of nuns suffering from Alzheimer's,
low blood levels of folic acid were common.
A factor here is degeneration of the
capacity to absorb nutrients as one ages, refer to my article on
Digestion for more information. There is
also an increased risk from a strict vegetarian diet, since the
best sources of B12 are animal - i.e.
meat, fish, eggs and milk.
Would the threat of Alzheimer's become less
frightening if a cause were found? And a treatable one at that?
I think so! This new and fascinating study finds a
connection between a bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae, consequent
inflammation, and the dreaded brain plaque.
Read the report here Vitamin B-12 plays an
important role in maintaining nerve cells, and some research has
linked low blood levels of the vitamin to Alzheimer's and mental
decline. Few studies have looked at whether there is such a
connection between Alzheimer's and folate, a B vitamin key to the
production and maintenance of body cells. However, in a study of
370 men and women aged 75 and older, (Neurology,
May 8, 2001;56:1188-1194)
investigators found that those with low levels of either vitamin
were twice as likely as those with normal levels to develop
Alzheimer's over a 3-year period. Surprisingly, the link was even
stronger among study participants who performed well on mental tests
at the start of the study. The reason for the link is unclear, but
low blood levels of B-12 and folate can lead to elevations in the
amino acid homocysteine, which may in turn damage nerve cells, the
authors note. Vegetarians are frequently deficient in vitamin B-12.
In view of the truly astonishing number of people
who are taking antacids, this research is of great
importance: as we know, many elderly people are being
diagnosed with mental deterioration, when a B12
deficiency should be suspected.
| Keywords: |
HEARTBURN, ACID REFLUX,
STOMACH ULCER - Vitamin B12, B12
Deficiency, Proton-Pump Inhibitors, PPI,
Histamine(2) Receptor Antagonists, H2 Blockers |
| Reference: |
"Do Acid-lowering agents
affect vitamin B12 status in older adults?"
Dharmarajan TS, Norkus EP, et al, J Am Med Dir
Assoc, 2008; 9(3): 162-7. (Address: Department
of Medicine, Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center,
Bronx, NY, USA. E-mail: dharmarajants@yahoo.com
). |
| Summary: |
In a cross-sectional study
involving 659 elderly subjects, aged 60-102
years, results indicate that prolonged use of
proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) may be associated
with a significant decline in serum vitamin B12
levels. Patient demographics, serum B12 levels,
use and duration of use of histamine(2) receptor
antagonists (H2 blockers) and PPIs, and oral
vitamin B12 supplementation were assessed.
Acid-lowering agents (H2 blockers and PPIs) were
used by 54% of the participants, where the
average duration of use was 18.2 months. No
association was observed between the use of H2
blockers and serum vitamin B12 levels. On the
other hand, PPI use was associated with
diminished vitamin B12 levels. Additionally,
oral vitamin B12 supplementation (RDA) during
PPI use was observed to slow the decline in B12
status, but not prevent it. Thus, the authors of
this study conclude, "B12 status declines during
prolonged PPI use in older adults, b ut not with
prolonged H2 blocker use; supplementation with
RDA amounts of B12 do not prevent this decline.
This report reinforces that B12 deficiency is
common in the elderly and suggests that it
appears prudent to monitor periodically B12
status while on prolonged PPI use, to enable
correction before complications ensue." |
B12
Status Declines during Prolonged Use of Proton-Pump
Inhibitors (Acid-Lowering Agent) |
Folate occurs naturally in foods such as:
leafy green vegetables
dried beans and peas
citrus fruits
many cereals are fortified with folic acid, the synthetic form of
folate.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, affecting an
estimated 4 million Americans. The exact cause remains elusive, but
scientists believe genetics and environmental factors conspire to
trigger the onset of the disease.
Third, there has been some interesting
research linking senility, and particularly Alzheimer's, to problems
with toxic metals such as aluminum, mercury and lead. Last
October, a Report by the National Institutes of Environmental Heath
Sciences (NIEHS) acknowledged that fluoride has been observed to
have synergistic effects on the toxicity of aluminum, complexing
with the mineral in the water. They acknowledge that most drinking
water is high in fluoride/aluminum complexes, which enhance
neurotoxicity. Other studies have shown that cooking with
fluoridated water leaches the aluminum out of the aluminum cooking
pots, with different amounts being released depending on the foods
being cooked, whereas cooking with non-fluoridated water resulted in
no release of aluminum from the pans. Leaching of up to 600 ppm
occurred with prolonged boiling! Some food additives have also been
mentioned as having a possible role , including aspartame and
glutamates, as well as alcohol, tobacco, and certain prescription
drugs. If I felt myself at risk, I would certainly avoid these
things where possible. Look into
Silica as a protective agent
against aluminum. Certain sea vegetable and algae substances have
chelating properties: consider chlorella, kelp and algae as
supplements also.
Fourth, very new (2003) research is finding
a connection between inflammation and Alzheimer's. The
abstract of the study states " Over the past fifteen years, evidence has been
accumulating that there is a chronic inflammatory
reaction in areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer's
disease. Chronic inflammation, which arises in reaction
to an underlying pathology, represents a threat in its
own right, wherever it may occur, and can in fact surpass
primary affronts upon tissues. The brain, however, is
particularly vulnerable because neurons are generally irreplaceable.
In the case of Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory processes
thus have the potential for turning a relatively slowly
progressing condition into one characterized by rapid
neurodegeneration." For the full text, see
RESOURCES at right.
What this means nutritionally is that it would be
extremely wise to avoid that which causes inflammation of any kind,
since inflammation in one place usually means inflammation system
wide: and where inflammation exists, to use dietary means and
supplementary means to fight it.
Turmeric is found in curry powder, and ginger is part of many
Chinese dishes: an excellent argument for extending your
culinary reach!
There can be no argument that trace minerals,
despite a name which suggests they are of no
importance, have effects far in excess of their presence in
the diet. The National Institute of health has printed
research suggesting a link between
LITHIUM and ALZHEIMER'S - of course, they suggest that
it will form the basis for future medicines, rather
than suggesting use of the natural mineral.
According to a study published in the May 22 issue of the
British journal Nature, when given to mice with Alzheimer’s,
lithium blocked the buildup of abnormal proteins called
amyloid plaque, as well as clusters of malformed nerve cells
called neurofibrillary tangles.
“The identification of a widely prescribed, relatively safe drug with the
potential to slow or prevent the onset of AD is
significant,” said lead study author Dr. Peter Klein. “Our
current study, combined with earlier work, shows that the
two processes associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease — the build-up of protein deposits known as amyloid
plaques and neurofibrillary tangles — can be inhibited with
lithium. Our findings have interesting implications for the
potential use of lithium in preventing or disrupting the
growth of these plaques and tangles in patients, since
lithium is known to be relatively safe in humans when
administered properly.”
Lithium Orotate can be found here |
| |
The Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA
are
critical for proper brain function. Partly because of their role as
precursors for hormone-like substances that act as messenger
molecules in the brain (and elsewhere), namely
prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and other eicosanoids
but also because the Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the
very structure of each cell. It is also conjectured that they
improve blood flow to the brain. Last but not least, by their
influence on leukotrienes and prostaglandins, they regulate
inflammation.
A 2003 study in Archives of Neurology showing that people
older than age 65 who ate omega-3-rich fish at least once a week
were 60% less likely to develop Alzheimer's compared with those who
rarely ate these fish. A 2004 study showed that DHA protects against
the development of the brain lesions of Alzheimer's EVEN WHEN THEY
WERE ALREADY PRESENT!
Consider also this study:
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Essential fatty acids and the brain: possible
health implications. Youdim
KA, Martin A, Joseph JA. Laboratory of Neuroscience, United
States Department of Agriculture, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition
Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA,
USA. kyoudim@hnrc.tufts.edu
Int J Dev Neurosci
2000 Jul-Aug;18(4-5):383-99
Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid are
essential for normal cellular function, and act as
precursors for the synthesis of longer chained
polyunsaturated fatty acids (Peas) such as arachidonic (AA),
eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA),
which have been shown to partake in numerous cellular
functions affecting membrane fluidity, membrane enzyme
activities and eicosanoid synthesis. The brain is
particularly rich in PUFAs such as DHA, and changes in
tissue membrane composition of these PUFAs reflect that of
the dietary source. The decline in structural and functional
integrity of this tissue appears to correlate with loss in
membrane DHA concentrations. Arachidonic acid, also
predominant in this tissue, is a major precursor for the
synthesis of eicosanoids, that serve as intracellular or
extracellular signals. With aging comes a likely increase in
reactive oxygen species and hence a concomitant decline in
membrane PUFA concentrations, and with it, cognitive
impairment. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's
and Alzheimer's disease also appear to exhibit membrane loss
of PUFAs. Thus it may be that an optimal diet with a balance
of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids may help to delay their onset or
reduce the insult to brain functions which these diseases
elicit. |
A herbal extract called
Ginkgo Biloba has very positive effects on circulation to the
brain, and is suggested by Dr. Hoffman along with specific nutrients
such as B12, Thiamine, Choline, CoQ10. and N-Acetyl-Carnitine.
A study in Italy evaluated the latter, using 150mg of Carnitine
daily on 481 subjects for 3 months. Significant improvement was
found, and no side effects. The form used was Acetyl-L-Carnitine,
which forms part of the system transporting energy to the
mitochondria of the cell. There are reports that it improves oxygen
transport, enhances dopamine activity, and increases production of
nerve growth factor. This could, in my opinion, make it a very
valuable nutrient to both guard against and help recovery from,
stroke. . Perhaps the most interesting nutrient to have been
researched recently is
Phosphatidyl Serine
: 25 human
studies have been done in the US and Europe, most of them involving
patients with existing measurable memory loss: the results of these
studies were highly positive. In an Italian study, 125 patients age
65 to 93 all improved scores on memory and learning, but perhaps
even more encouraging, they became less withdrawn and apathetic.
Another nutritional hope for Alzheimer's comes
from a traditional Chinese source, a moss called Qian Ceng Ta. Its
active ingredient is an alkaloid compound called Huperzine A,
which inhibits the action of acetyl cholinesterase: this enzyme
breaks down Acetylcholine, but higher concentrations of it are
helpful to Alzheimer patients - as mentioned previously, it is
actually supplemented by some in an effort to help! In the studies,
doses of 30 to 900 mcg per day were used, most commonly 30 to 200
mcg, and memory enhancement was shown even at the lower doses. There
are medications ( Cognex and Aricept are two examples) which work
along the same lines as Hup A, and they should not be taken with it.
It should also be used with caution by people with heart arrythmias
or asthma, and perhaps by those taking anticholinergic medications.
Bagchi and Barilla's book, Boost Your Brain Power cites
research by Ashani ( Molecular Pharmacology) on the
importance of Acetylcholine synthesis and its importance in eye
function. They feel that Huperzine- A may be more effective against
glaucoma than such drugs as physostigmine, neostigmine or tacrine. (
ET Better Nutrition, letter to Ed. April 99)
Two other herbs recently studied are
Vinpocetine
and Cat's Claw: the latter has been found
to interfere in the formation of the amyloid plaque found in the
brains of Alzheimer's patients both in the test tube and using rats.
The research, which was presented early in 1999 at a meeting of the
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in
Washington D.C. used Cat's Claw blended with other herbs, including
Rosemary, Ginkgo Biloba and Gotu Kola. Human trials should begin
soon. Vinpocetine is an extract of the lesser periwinkle plant, and
appears to help energy production in the brain significantly through
number of actions - increased blood flow, glucose metabolisation,
production of ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, the energy molecule in
the cell), and more efficient burning of oxygen. It's effects seem
to be similar to those of Ginkgo, but while GBE is safe it does
occasionally have side effects and its influence on the blood is
sometimes problematic: Vinpocetine, on the other hand, has no
recorded side effects and does not interact (as far as I know) with
any other medications.
Ayurvedic Medicine has used a herb called
Bacopa Monnieri for over a thousand years to combat problems
with the central nervous system, such as epilepsy, poor memory,
faulty cognition and also anxiety. A 1980 open study in India (Singh,
J. Res. Ayur Siddha 1:133-148)
demonstrated improvement in patients anxiety levels, concentration
and memory spans, and as a side benefit also improved instances of
palpitations, insomnia, headaches and irritability. I have
personally seen it have a very beneficial effect on some of the
children whose parents come to me for help with ADD/ADHD. However,
if you are taking calcium channel blockers, it might be wise not to
use this herb.
Recent research suggests that Isoflavones
in dietary soy may help protect against Alzheimer's disease in
postmenopausal women, according to the findings from an animal model
of ovariectomized monkeys. Dr. Helen Kim from the University of
Alabama in Birmingham presented the results of a 3-year study on
Tuesday April 3rd 2001 at the 221st National Meeting of the American
Chemical Society. Dr. Kim was surprised that the same protective
effects were not seen in the monkeys that received Premarin. "The
effects that we saw may be due to the fact that isoflavones are
strong antioxidants," she said.
I want to emphasize that there are things we can
do to stay mentally young: not least among them, an active
life-style and on-going mental and physical challenges! *
Lecithin consumption affects acetylcholine levels in brain
Survival signalling in Alzheimer's Disease
Alcohol consumption, cognitive impairment and progression to
dementia Exercise
is associated with reduced risk for dementia
Early
inflammation and dementia
Multifunctional Activities of Green Tea Catechins in Neuroprotection
| Keywords: natural help memory loss,
natural support poor memory, herbs alzheimers, nutrition brain,
nutrition memory, nutrition alzheimer's, the vitamin lad writes
about natural help for memory |
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