June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month. If you are 65 years old, you have one in eight chance of suffering from
By age 80 the chances are that one in two people will suffer from Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia.
Dementia is a disease that's still a mystery in many ways. But research shows that taking certain supplements may help preserve cognitive functioning to possibly slow down the disease.
Conventional medicine has very little to offer for prevention and treatment of the aging brain.
In fact most of the drugs prescribed by conventional doctors for other conditions actually cause premature brain aging, memory loss, and confusion.
What causes dementia ? Well, as we age, brain cells don't function normally and often become damaged, causing memory loss, behavioral problems, mental confusion, and even the inability to manage normal, daily activities.
Some Contributing factors to Mental Decline :
- Prescription drugs
- Conscussions
- Mercury toxicity : From dental filling, industrial pollution, and fish of all types.
In a separate post I will talk about how using Infrared sauna, and some specific supplements we can use to rid the body of these toxins.
Supplements that help prevent dementia / Alzheimer:
1- Omega-3 fatty acids
-Omega-3 fats prevents brain cell damage and lowers risk of Alzheimer's primarily by controlling chronic inflammation.
2- Magnesium L-threonate
- Evidence shows that higher brain levels of magnesium in the brain improve Alzheimer's symptoms. Receiving high doses intravenously appears to be most effective in calming an agitated brain.
- Alzheimer's patients have been found to have lower brain levels of magnesium, and studies have shown that Magnesium L-threonate improves cognition in Alzheimer's diseases.
3- Coenzyme Q10
-Recent studies show enhancement of brain function after using high doses of CoQ10.
CoQ10 may slow down and help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's.
For example , statin drugs used to treat cholesterol deplete the brain of this important antioxidant CoQ10.
4- Vitamin B12
Its long been known that vitamin B12 supplements will boost mood, energy, and sharpen thinking in general. There is now good evidence from neurology journals that regular Vitamin B12 consumption can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
5- Coconut Oil
About 20 grams of MCT ( medium chain-triglyceride) is a type of healthy fat that nourishes the brain and has reportedly reversed Alzheimer's symptoms in some studies.
6- Phosphatidylserine (PS)
This is a natural substance used by the brain to basically improve communication between neurons. Its has been used effectively for any type of age related mental functioning decline as well as Alzheimer's , ADHD, depression, and for improvement of athletic performance. The recommended daily dose is 300mg or more daily.
7- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is anti-inflammatory, and the evidence is clear that vitamin D levels are tied to optimal brain function. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of abnormal mood, memory, and behaviour problems. Unfortunately, it is still ignored as an important brain booster by most of the conventional medicine world.
Alzheimer's and related dementias are driven by a host of genetic and environmental risk factors that develop over decades. While there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are medications or other treatments in order to help ease the symptoms and delay progression of the disease.
There is some indication that healthy lifestyle efforts may prevent Alzheimer's. And even if they don't, they are likely effective in preventing vascular dementia which is almost as common.
The content of my page is for informational/educational content only, Nothing should be constructed as medical advise.
Stay well and stay healthy. Dr. Naghmeh, Pharm.D.
