|
Conventional Alzheimer's Treatment |
Conventional treatment of Alzheimer's primarily focus's on the symptoms of
the disease. Drugs such as donepezil are used to enhance
cholinergic activity (having
physiological effects similar to
those of acetylcholine)
in the brain. Anti-psychotics and anti-depressants
are commonly used for behavioral changes.
Anti-histamines and benzodiazepines
are also readily used. Prescription
drugs are an increasing concern for
the individual with Alzheimer's
because of the possible side effects.[9] Because of the side effects caused
by conventional treatment, an
increasing amount of research is
focused on alternative medicine for
Alzheimer's Treatment.
|
Supplements for Alzheimer's treatment |
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is
botanical medicine used for Alzheimer's
Treatment. It is a potent
anti-oxidant, increases circulation
to the brain, improves mental
stamina, and cognitive function. A
standardized extract of ginkgo biloba is effective at delaying and
reversing mental deterioration in
Alzheimer's.[10]
Studies using a particular standardized
extract of Ginkgo Biloba (EGb76) has
exhibited neuroprotective properties, is
anti-hypoxic (improves oxygen
delivery), and is anti-apoptotic
(prevents cell death). It is most
effective for mild to moderate
dementia associated with
Alzheimer's.[11] Another study using the same extract
showed definitive results,
suggesting Ginkgo is effective at quenching
free radicals in the brains affected
by Alzheimer's.[12,
13]
Huperzia serrata
Club moss has been used in China for
centuries to treat infection. Huperzine, an
isolated alkaloid of club moss is a
strong inhibitor of
acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme
that breaks down acetylcholine in
the brain. It enhances memory and is
neuroprotective. One of the
greatest advantages of huperzine
compared to conventional
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is
that it has no known side effects or
toxicity, even with long term usage. In one study it was shown to
increase cognitive function and
quality of life in Alzheimer's patients[14]
Another studied produced equally beneficial effects on
specific behavioral mechanisms.[15]
Antioxidants to Treat Alzheimer's
Because oxidative damage
contributes to the progression of
Alzheimer's disease dietary supplementation
is key. Supplementation is most
effective when started in the
earlier stages of the disease,
though it can also be used as a
preventive measure throughout life. The most well known anti-oxidants
are Vitamin A, C, and E, although
certain trace minerals, like selenium, zinc and botanical constituents such
as flavonoids, also possess
anti-oxidant ability. Anti-oxidants
can be taken alone or in
synergistic combinations.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a key
anti-oxidant and is necessary to
replenish glutathione in the body.
It is also effective at preventing
lipid peroxidation, due to its fat
solubility.
In Alzheimer's
disease patients have an increase in
lipid peroxidation,
most notably in
the cell membrane, which can
ultimately lead to
cell death. Persons suffering from
this condition also have a
decrease in glutathione activity as
a quencher of free radicals. In one
study of patients with Alzheimer's
disease, blood markers of oxidative
stress were measured and found to be
extremely high. Supplementation with Vitamin
E was shown to decrease oxidative
stress and improve cognitive
function.[16,
17]
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is key
factor in many biochemical reactions
in the body. It serves as a methyl
donor (carbon and hydrogen) in the
building of ATP (energy) and our
DNA. If Vitamin B12 is deficient, homocysteine builds up in the tissue
and blood. Therefore, it can be used
as a marker for Vitamin B12 status. Most (3-42%)[18]
elderly individuals have a
deficiency of Vitamin B12. Signs of
deficiency include numbness or
burning in arms and legs, balance
difficulty, impaired mental
function, and fatigue.
Homocysteine causes
damage to the lining of blood
vessels. It also induces oxidative
injury on neurons in the brain. Homocysteine is elevated in patients
with Alzheimer's disease. The
elevation is thought to be caused by
oxidative damage to the chemical
structure of Vitamin B12, rendering
it metabolically inactive. In one
particular study the researches
speculated that a specific form of
Vitamin B12, glutathionylcobalamin,
may be most effective decreasing the
homocysteine levels.[19]
Though the more common forms,
cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin
can also be used to decrease
homocysteine.[20]
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Thiamin is an important
vitamin for the brain because it potentiates and mimics the main
neurotransmitter for memory;
acetylcholine. In Alzheimer's
disease, acetylcholine activity is
diminished due to low levels of this
nutrient. Thiamin has been shown to improve
mental functioning and intellectual
prowess in
individuals with mild disease with
no side-effects.[21,
22]
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
A deficiency in
niacin causes dementia in otherwise
healthy individuals. Supplementation will reverse this
dementia without long term damage. In a recent study, the hypothesis
that niacin can be protective
against the development of
Alzheimer's disease was tested by
comparing the dietary intake of niacin
of an elderly population and
comparing outcome. It was concluded
that dietary niacin was protective
against the development of
Alzheimer's disease.[23]
One could then postulate that
supplementing with niacin can give
further protection against the
disease and further studies may show
benefit for treatment.
Choline
Choline is another biochemical
component of acetylcholine. Increased
levels can promote acetylcholine
synthesis and increase the transmission between
neurons in the brain. Choline can
be taken into the body in several
forms; the most recognized are phosphatidylcholine, lecithin, and
citicoline. Each of these nutrients
donates a choline to an acetyl group
to form acetylcholine; a reaction
that is mediated by the enzyme,
acetylcholine transferase. Levels
of acetylcholine transferase are
decreased in patients with
Alzheimer's disease.
It is
speculated that taking choline may
increase availability of
acetylcholine. A therapeutic
trial is recommended for individual
patients to assess efficacy.[24]
Citicoline also donates a choline
group. It has been shown to assist
in the repair and structural integrity
of cellular membranes. In a study of patients
with early stage Alzheimer's,
citicoline improved cognitive function and
increased blood flow over a study
period of 12 weeks.[25]
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is the major
phospholipid in the brain. It is
integral for maintaining structure
and fluidity of the cell membrane of
neurons. It decreases the effects
of aging on neurons. In one study it
was shown to restore memory and
improve cognitive function in
individuals with Alzheimer's
disease.[26,
27]
L-Acetylcarnitine
L-acetylcarnitine is
involved in energy production inside
brain cells. It assists in the
removal of toxic fatty acids from
the brain. It is a powerful
anti-oxidant which effects the inside
of neurons. L-Acetylcarnitine delays
the progression of Alzheimer's
disease[28]
and reverses the age related decline
in the number of acetylcholine
receptors on the membrane of
neurons.[29] In one study supplementation with phosphatidylserine over a three
month period reduced attention
deficits in Alzheimer's disease
patients
in 50% of cases when combined with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
This statistic was compared to only a 38% efficacy with
the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
alone.[30]
Essential Fatty Acids
There is growing
evidence that abnormal lipid
metabolism may play a role in the
development of Alzheimer's disease. Dietary lipids are thought to be a
principal risk factor for the
development of Alzheimer's disease.
Diets that are high in saturated
fats (often found in fatty animal proteins) and those that
have higher omega 6 EFA's (evening
primrose oil, borage oil,
blackcurrant oil) than omega 3 EFA's (fish oils, flax seed
oil), increase risk factors.
Conversely diets high
in omega 3 EFA's and unsaturated
fats are protective. This study
suggests that simple dietary changes
may be effective at preventing and
slowing the
development of Alzheimer's
disease and other cognitive
disorders.[31]
|
Learn More About Alzheimer's
Treatment |
|
