Collection: Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Disease - DRAFT

Here's some "food for thought" about Alzheimer's Disease. (Sources are listed toward the bottom of the article by number. Please note that this article is a work in progress; we are in the process of developing the article and converting our bibliography format.)

This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and may contain errors and/or omissions. Consult with your naturopathic doctor or other qualified medical care professional, and see disclaimer below.

Food for Thought

Talk with a naturopathic doctor about Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is estimated to affect 42% of people over 84 years of age in the United States, up from only 2% in the 1960s. (Source: 1, page 276.)

Studies have reported mixed results on taking vitamins C, E, and both. (Source: 1, page 281.)

Thought: That vitamins C and E was found in some studies to help significantly is promising.

Questions: Did any of the studies use vitamin C with bioflavonoids or vitamin E with tocotrienols? Would that improve outcomes?

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) studies have reported mixed results but overall showed much improvement, including one study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that led to "significant improvements in mental function in 64% of the patients." (Source: 1, page 287.)

Questions: How was the Ginkgo biloba extract in the studies prepared and administered? Where were the studies conducted and by whom?

Thought: It's been found, generally, that non-U.S. studies find natural medicine very promising, whereas U.S. studies have not. Does that apply to the above?

"In addition to possibly being beneficial in early-stage AD, if the mental deficit is due to vascular insufficiency or depression and not AD, GBE is usually effective in reversing the deficit. GBE should be taken for at least 12 weeks in order to determine its effectiveness." (Source: 1, page 288.)

More things to consider

Healthy diet and lifestyle

Multiple vitamin formula, multiple mineral formula, vitamin B comlex

Huperzine A

Curcumin

"Aluminum absorption can be decreased by magnesium..." (Source: 1, page 290)

Grapes, grapeseed extract

"Keep in mind that in advanced AD, treatment is less likely to be of benefit. In general, we recommend a trial for a minimum of 90 days in attempting to improve AD with natural measures." (Source: 1, page 290.)

CoQ10, rosemary tea, protease, (Source: 2, page 311)

L-acetylcarnitine 

DHEA

High fiber, good fats like from sea greens, flax, ginger (Source 2, page 311)

Raw fresh ginger juice considered better than powder (Source to follow)

Lecithin granules, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, oat bran, flax oil, and molasses each morning with cereal or juice (Source 2, page 311)

Turmeric, a little black pepper, fat and heat (in other words, cooking with turmeric and black pepper as you'll probably already have some fat in the recipe)

Daily exercise (Source 2, page 311)

Reflexology (Source 2, page 311)

This collection of products (below) is a work in progress. It may be used as a list of things to consider researching. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, nor prevent disease. See disclaimer below.

Sources

1. Murray, Michael T., N.D., and Pizzorno, Joseph, N.D. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 3rd edition. New York NY: Atria, 2012. Print.

2. Rector-Page, Linda, Ph.D. Linda Page's Healthy Healing, 11th edition. Traditional Wisdom, Inc. 2000.

Suggested Reading

(to follow)