Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of senile dementia in this country. It is slow but progressive and wipes out many functions of the brain, especially memory. The heartbreaking tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease is that it steals the person by taking away who they are.
According to 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, published by the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.3 million Americans are living with the disease, nearly two-thirds of whom are women. By 2050, it is projected that as many as 14 million people in the US will have Alzheimer’s. From 2000 to 2013, the number of Alzheimer’s deaths increased 71 percent.
More than a century after it was first identified, the cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains the subject of intense scientific scrutiny. Many experts believe that cell death as evidenced by shrinkage in the brain is related to a sticky, waxy protein called amyloid plaque, but whether the plaque causes cell death or is a byproduct of it is unclear. A second feature of Alzheimer’s disease is neurofibrillary tangles consisting of tau protein, an essential protein in the infrastructure of neurons. Plaques and tangles obstruct the electrical messages that allow us to think, remember, talk, and move. As neurons begin to die, the amount of acetylcholine, a crucial chemical in the brain, decreases. Acetylcholine is necessary to carry the complex messages governing reactions and movement. Thus, as Alzheimer’s progresses, physical impairment begins to occur along with cognitive losses.
Alzheimer’s is believed to be the result of a combination of factors. As you look at the various risk criteria outlined here, it is worth noting that many of them can be addressed proactively.
Imbalances in neurotransmitters, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic deficits have all been implicated:
External factors include exposures to neurotoxins, such as mercury, lead, pesticides, and excess iron; alcohol abuse; free radical damage; and aluminum exposure.
Factors such as lower levels of education, lack of social contact, poor word fluency, emotional stress and/or poor stress-coping mechanisms, and the lack of willingness to learn new information and face mental challenges have all been implicated in the development and progression of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Possible physical risk factors include advanced age, a history of Parkinson’s disease or Down’s syndrome, head trauma, depression, reduced blood flow, stroke, olfactory deficits, gum disease or other markers for inflammation, or coronary disease.
The presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the only definitive way to make a positive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Progress is being made in using advanced imaging technologies and novel biomarkers to detect disease and dementia before they reach the moderate stages. Unfortunately, even the powerful imaging tools used by doctors today cannot reliably scan for these markers. Only a brain biopsy or an autopsy can provide positive confirmation that Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of an individual’s dementia.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is extremely difficult. Most clinical diagnoses are made in patients who have already developed a considerable amount of mental difficulties. The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a list of warning signs. If you or someone close to you exhibits several of the symptoms listed below, you should see a doctor for a complete examination.
Medical tests might include imaging scans, such as an MRI or CT; laboratory tests, such as blood and urine; neuropsychological tests, such as tests of memory, vision-motor coordination, and language function; and even a psychiatric evaluation to assess emotional factors. Some medications prescribed for other conditions can cause side effects that mimic some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to remember that hormones are closely related to brain health. Hormone levels fluctuate with age, and the importance of consulting with an endocrinologist to assess hormone levels and balance in treating memory deterioration should not be underestimated. Hormones related to memory function include human growth hormone, vasopressin, DHEA, and pregnenolone.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment is aimed at alleviating symptoms, and halting or preventing progression of the disease. Mainstream medicine emphasizes the use of medications to improve memory and thought processes, as well as other conditions that may co-occur, such as depression, anxiety, hallucinations, or delusions. The FDA has approved use of two types of drugs to lessen or stabilize the cognitive symptoms: cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Although it has not approved the use of antipsychotic medications for treating associated psychosis or agitation, due to safety concerns, these drugs are often used on an off-label basis. Research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to determine the risks and benefits of using antipsychotics has yielded mixed results.
Remembering and forgetting things is a perfectly normal part of daily life, but we need not fear that the extreme and progressive cognitive decline that is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease will be an inevitable part of our aging process. There are a number of things we can do to positively impact our brain health and overall mental abilities as we age. In late-stage Alzheimer’s there is little that can be done to influence the mood swings, long-term memory loss, verbal outbursts, or delusions that are the hallmarks of the latest stages of the disease. There are several simple ways to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s, however, or to reduce the severity of symptoms if your doctor has diagnosed your memory loss as probable Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, a board-certified neurologist and author of The Alzheimer’s Answers: Reduce Your Risks and Keep Your Brain Healthy, is among the physicians who view Alzheimer’s as a preventable disease. “The fact is that people start to develop Alzheimer’s changes in their brains twenty to thirty years before their first day of forgetfulness. So by the time you are getting a little bit of ‘where did I put my car keys?’ you’ve been already accumulating changes in your brain for many, many years.”
It is important for your environment to be free of hazardous toxins, particularly heavy metals that can accumulate in the body. High levels of aluminum and mercury are found in the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients. Limit your exposure to cookware, deodorants, antacids, and food additives that contain aluminum. Mercury is found in thermometers, thermostats, and dental amalgams. It is recommended to remove all silver fillings from your mouth. Chelation therapy—which uses certain amino acids to form strong ionic bonds with the toxic metals in your body, allowing them to be excreted from the system—may be useful in removing toxic metals and other chemicals from your body. Bentonite, a claylike substance that is used in a drink, may be taken at night to draw out toxins from the colon and assist in the detoxification process. Installing charcoal filters on all water sources used for drinking or cooking can reduce or eliminate harmful toxins that are found in the water from our reservoirs.
Continued community involvement and frequent contact with friends and family may reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. In a paper presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on the Prevention of Dementia, Jane Saczynski, PhD, of the National Institute on Aging, and colleagues presented data from a longitudinal study, conducted since 1965, that showed that subjects with decreased social activity from mid-to late life had a statistically significant risk of dementia.
Physical activity seems to play a role in slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s. A National Institutes of Health news release cites research demonstrating that long-term physical activity increased the learning ability of mice and decreased the level of plaque forming beta-amyloid protein fragments in their brains. Remaining physically active throughout our lifetimes offers immeasurable benefits to both body and brain. Physical activity does not have to be rigorous. Walking, dancing, or practicing yoga helps safeguard our brains against the type of cognitive decline that is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to an active body, it is important to have an active mind. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine supports the theory that mentally demanding activities can help stave off dementia. The study involved 469 people ages seventy-five and older. Those participants who read, played games of strategy (e.g., checkers, backgammon, or chess), played musical instruments, or danced at least twice a week were significantly less likely to develop dementia. Those who did crossword puzzles four times a week were also found to have a significantly lowered risk. It seems clear that participating in mentally stimulating hobbies and being willing to learn new information and challenge our brains on an ongoing basis provide important benefits in preventing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed as being in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, there are some strategies for coping with the symptoms of memory loss that may be the first hallmarks of this disease. These coping strategies will help relieve the stress and tension that arise from memory problems and can help lessen the impact of such problems on day-to-day life. Remember, in addition to practicing the strategies outlined below, you should make the lifestyle and nutritional changes I recommend in this chapter to slow or reverse the progression of these early symptoms.
What researchers are beginning to say now is something that I have said over and over again: Deficiencies of essential nutrients can lead to a variety of health problems and leave us vulnerable to serious conditions such as Alzheimer’s. The good news is that it is never too early to start good nutritional habits that will help to protect the brain over a lifetime. And it is never too late to benefit from good nutritional habits.
The best success that we have had helping people with Alzheimer’s is to shift their diet to 75 percent raw and 25 percent lightly cooked. We begin with one 16-ounce glass of fresh, organic juice. The juice should have its primary volume filled with celery, cucumber, or apple. Then you can add into each different glass of juice any combination of grapes and berries. Begin with one 16-ounce glass per day for the first week. Add one additional juice per day for each additional week until you are at ten juices per day or as close to that many as possible. Juicing lettuce, radish, ginger, sprouts, and garlic also enhances its power. Supplement each juice with up to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C (start with 500 milligrams until you achieve bowel tolerance).
Various studies support the efficacy of antioxidants as a method of preventing or reversing cognitive decline. Vitamins E and C are proven free radical fighters and are readily available in foods such as citrus fruits and juices; dark green, leafy vegetables; nuts; and sunflower seeds. The B vitamins, which play an important role in fighting the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, are found in beans and animal proteins. Trace minerals, such as zinc, magnesium, and potassium, are easy to add to our diets by using whole grains, nuts, dried beans, bananas, and milk. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as omega-3 and omega-6 fats, which are found in flax oil and walnuts, have significant anti-inflammatory properties and may be important in preventing Alzheimer’s. It has been suggested that a dietary deficiency in fatty acids may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Other studies have looked at the use of EFAs in impacting Alzheimer’s and found them to be beneficial.
Certain vitamins and minerals are important in fighting the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. A number of other naturally occurring nutrients also have a beneficial impact.
MAGNESIUM. Magnesium is well known for its calming properties in people with anxiety symptoms, but proper amounts of magnesium are generally lacking in the average American diet. For impacting the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, I recommend a daily supplement of 500 to 1,000 milligrams of magnesium, taken in two equal doses on an empty stomach.
POTASSIUM. Potassium is depleted from our bodies in times of stress, thus upsetting the delicate balance of neurotransmitter communication in our brains. It can interact with some drugs, so if you are taking prescription medications, consult with your doctor before taking potassium supplements. If potassium is safe for you, I recommend a daily supplement of 500 milligrams.
VITAMIN B-COMPLEX. It is important that your daily vitamin B-complex contain sufficient amounts of both vitamin B9 and B12, as deficiencies in these vitamins can develop as we age, and these deficiencies can contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. If your doctor has determined you are deficient in B vitamins, you may want to ask about receiving intravenous or injected supplements of vitamin B-complex to combat symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
VITAMIN C. Vitamin C may help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and slow the progression of symptoms. For best impact on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, I recommend increasing your daily supplement from 500 to 1,000 milligrams to 10,000 milligrams, taken in three divided doses. Do not exceed a daily supplement of 10,000 milligrams.
VITAMIN E. Vitamin E has beneficial antioxidant properties, and treatment with high doses has shown initial promise in slowing the progression of symptoms in individuals with moderately severe Alzheimer’s. High doses may be associated with the risk of bleeding and interaction with anticoagulants and other medications often taken by elderly people. If you are not at risk, I recommend increasing your daily supplement of vitamin E from 268 milligrams to 536 milligrams, taken in two divided doses. Do not exceed a daily supplement of 536 milligrams.
ZINC. Many people who suffer from dementia have deficiencies in zinc. I recommend a daily supplement of 30 milligrams.
ACETYL-L-CARNITINE. This versatile nutrient is able to permeate the blood– brain barrier to stimulate and fortify the brain’s nerve cells. Acetyl-L-carnitine is a type of carnitine produced naturally in the brain. For best impact on Alzheimer’s symptoms, I recommend increasing your daily supplement from 2,000 milligrams to 3,000 milligrams, taken in three equal doses. Do not exceed a daily supplement of 3,000 milligrams.
DIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL (DMAE). This nutrient, found in sardines, is a powerful brain stimulant that increases acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for short-term memory function and concentration. Some side effects associated with DMAE in Alzheimer’s patients include drowsiness, high blood pressure, and increased confusion. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking the supplement for a few days, then return to your lower daily dose. I recommend increasing your daily supplement from 150 milligrams to 300 milligrams, taken in two equal doses with meals. Do not exceed a daily supplement of 300 milligrams.
L-GLUTAMINE. Glutamine is converted into glutamic acid and increases GABA, a neurotransmitter essential for proper mental function. There are two types of glutamine supplements: D-glutamine and L-glutamine. L-glutamine is the form that more closely mimics the glutamine in the body. I recommend supplementing with 500 milligrams, taken three times daily.
MELATONIN. Melatonin is a hormone manufactured by the pineal gland in the brain. It is involved in synchronizing the body’s hormone secretions and setting daily biorhythms. To stabilize the sleeping cycle for Alzheimer’s patients, I recommend supplementing with 300 micrograms to 1 milligram, taken nightly a half hour before bed.
N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC). This amino acid protects the brain from damaging free radicals by boosting quantities of glutathione, one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants. I recommend a supplement of 500 milligrams, taken three times daily.
NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE (NADH). An enzyme that helps improve neurotransmitter function, NADH is present in all living cells and plays a critical role in energy production. It helps prevent cellular degeneration and may increase concentration and memory capacity. I recommend a supplement of 2.5 milligrams, taken twice a day for two or three days of the week.
PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE (PS). PS helps the brain use fuel more efficiently. Studies have revealed that supplementing with phosphatidylserine slows down and even reverses declining memory and concentration, or age-related cognitive impairment, in middle-aged and elderly subjects. For impact on memory loss, I recommend increasing your daily supplement from 300 milligrams to 400 milligrams. Do not exceed a daily supplement of 400 milligrams.
S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE (SAME). SAMe promotes cell growth and repair and maintains levels of glutathione, a major antioxidant that protects against free radicals and reduces homocysteine levels. Alzheimer patients have extremely low levels of SAMe in their brains. SAMe should not be taken if you are taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants. I recommend a daily supplement of 400 to 1,600 milligrams daily, taken in four equal doses.
Also recommended are omega-3 fatty acids (2000 mg), EPA/DHA with sesame lignans, olive extract, krill, astaxanthin, PQQ (20mg), Magnesium L-Threonate (150mg), L-Carnitine tartrate (500mg), curcumin rhizome extract (700mg, 3x day), cytokine suppress (300mg), EGCG (green tea, 300 mg), black cumin seed oil (1 tsp, 3x day), coconut oil (1tsp, 2x day), probiotics (5 billlion, 2x day).
Some herbal extracts and homeopathic treatments have properties similar to conventional medications, but are gentler and may lack the drugs’ side effects. Always inform your medical practitioner of any herbal remedies you may be taking.
The following remedies may be used to impact the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. When dealing with a chronic condition, homeopathic remedies must be used in conjunction with other therapies, as prescribed by a qualified health professional. Consult with your health care provider before taking any homeopathic remedy, and follow their recommendation for the appropriate dosage. Always inform your medical practitioner of any homeopathic remedies you may be taking.
Essential oils can be used in baths or inhaled to provide an energizing or soothing effect. Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin; they must be mixed with carrier oils. Experiment with various scents to see which help to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and increase mental clarity: bergamot, clove, frankincense, lavender, and lemon balm.
An increasing body of evidence is showing the benefits of natural modalities to overall health and well-being. Following is a sample of recent peer-reviewed scientific studies in the area of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to 2015 research published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, cannabinoids decreased neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and formation of amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangles in people with late onset Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2015 report in the European Journal of Medical Chemistry, scientists demonstrated that derivatives of scutellarein-O-alkylamine, a natural flavone, had multifunctional properties in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, including metal chelating ability, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and antioxidation.
A comprehensive study released in 2011 by researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and the Linus Pauling Institute showed that seniors who consumed a diet high in the B vitamins, as well as vitamins, C, D and E, performed significantly better on mental ability tests and exhibited less brain shrinkage than did those who ate a poorer diet. The results also suggested that higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids improves the health of the brain, while eating trans-fats has the opposite effect. A 2012 study at Brown University that found that excess levels of insulin resulting from a diet rich in fatty and sugary foods decrease the brain’s response to the hormone and, in turn, disrupt normal cognitive function. Studies published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2012 revealed that vitamin D3 and curcumin worked synergistically to help eliminate the buildup of amyloid, and that low blood serum levels of vitamin C and betacarotene were associated with a higher incidence of mild dementia among seniors.
In research presented at the 2012 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, a group from Japan’s National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology shared new data showing that routine aerobic, strength, and balance exercise over the course of a year significantly improved language skills in adults with mild cognitive impairment over age forty-seven. Another study presented by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that just six months of resistance training exercise boosted objective measurements of attention and memory in women ages seventy to eighty.
A 2012 analysis undertaken by a team at the University of California, Berkeley, found that those individuals who were mentally active over the course of their lives had significantly less buildup of the beta-amyloid protein.