Alzheimer's

information on nutrition, diet lifestyle & research

Alzheimer's disease affects more than 5 million Americans in 2013. Studies are showing that specific nutrients can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease as well as help slow down the effects of Alzheimer's on memory loss.

Prevention

According to a 2011 article in Lancet, the best prevention for Alzheimer's is both physical and mental exercise.

Exercise your mind daily with puzzles and learning new things.
Get daily exercise, at least a long walk every day. Getting enough exercise is essential because it influences other conditions such as your weight and blood pressure.
It has also been found that some nutritional deficiencies may contribute to or mimic Alzheimer's

Nutrition. Clinical trials and double-blind research have indicated that there may be connections between nutritional deficiencies and Alzheimer's. In some cases, nutritional supplementation may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and/or delay its progression.

Read Seven Steps Can Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's by Half.
Read Is It Alzheimer's or Something Else?
Read Early Detection of Alzheimer's
Self help
Symptoms
Causes

Symptoms

Symptoms of Alzheimer's include a pattern of forgetfulness, short attention span, difficulty in performing routine tasks, language problems, disorientation, poor judgment, problems with thinking, misplacing things, depression, irritability, paranoia, hostility, and lack of initiative.

Causes

Scientists believe that genetic factors may be involved.
High levels of a protein called beta-amyloid has been found in much younger family members where there is a history of Alzheimer's, decades before symptoms appear.¹⁷⁴ New research is testing a vaccine that appears to trigger the body's immune defence against beta-amyloid.¹⁷⁵
A protein called apolipoprotein E (ApoE) may be important. Everyone has ApoE, but the function of ApoE in the brain is not well understood. One form of the protein seems to protect a person from AD, and another form seems to make a person more likely to develop the disease.
Scientists have found aluminum, zinc, and other metals in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimers.
Some scientists think that a virus may cause the disease.
Alzheimers is most likely to be caused several factors that act differently in each person.

Note: certain vitamin deficiencies and other conditions can mimic alzheimer's disease symptoms including:

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage including short-term memory loss, sometimes accompanied by low-back pain, fatigue, burning feet or sore tongue. Even so, blood tests may appear normal.
Vitamin B1 deficiency can give rise to memory problems and mental imbalances,. Diuretics can aggravate B1 deficiencies.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) levels are tied to depressed mood.
A decline in estrogen production among menopausal females can result in depression and may be linked to the development of dementia.
A stroke can mimic Alzheimer's disease.
Parkinson's, a disorder featuring resting tremors, gait disorders, and slowed movement, may sometimes first manifest as amnesia.
Brain dysfunction can also be caused by a thyroid disorder.
A number of studies connect Alzheimer's and diabetes

Conventional Treatment

Although conventional treatments do not stop or slow progression of Alzheimer's, medications such as tacrine, donepezil, and rivastigmine are designed to bring some short-term memory impairment relief by slowing down the breakdown of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter in the brain). Some doctors may also recommend a low daily dose of aspirin.

Nutrition

Key Nutrients

Antioxidant Supplements
- Astaxanthin
- Vitamins C & E
Vitamin D3: and combination of Vitamin D3 and Curcumin
Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Other Nutrients

These are other nutrients that might be related or helpful.

Acetyl-L-carnitine
B Vitamins: B1, B12, Folic Acid
Phosphatidylserine: Lecithin
DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol)
CoEnzyme Q10
Zinc
NADH
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

Botanical Treatment Options

In addition, there are a variety of botanical treatment options.

Ginkgo Biloba
Huperzine A
Vincamine