Alzheimer's: Prevent It With Nutrition?

Alzheimer's: Prevent It With Nutrition?
September 21 was “World Alzheimer’s Day.”
I didn’t hear anything about it in the press, but
it’s just as well. What would celebration
accomplish? Awareness? Walk-athons, and more money pumped
into the same type of research that’s been done for
years that hasn’t produced anything?

In honor of the day, a press release,
“Neutraceuticals offer hope on World
Alzheimer’s Day” suggested it’s worth
reflecting on the potential of research into food and
dietary ingredients to stave off the disease. Could this be
good news?

Research into dietary supplements to prevent Alzheimer
’s disease has been going on for a long time with
some very promising results. But that’s where it
ends: “Promising results.” Research that
produces truly promising results usually dies for lack of
funding and lack of support by advocacy organizations.

It is of interest that the supplements and food mentioned
in the press release as of possible benefit – vitamin
E and the Mediterranean Diet are nothing new. What is also
of interest in the release is there is no mention of the
most promising of all supplements – the anti-oxidants
alpha lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine,
and others.

There is very encouraging research that indicates these
anti-oxidants, taken well before cognitive decline begins
can be brain savers.

Dr. Julian Whitaker discusses the Alzheimer’s
situation in his September 2007 “Health and
Healing” newsletter and he doesn’t paint a
pretty picture. According to Whitaker, nearly 1 in 8 of
those over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 already have
Alzheimer’s. By mid century, up to 16 million people
will be afflicted. That’s more than the total
population of New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago
combined.

Now while you still have your cognitive health is the time
to take steps to save your brain. There are supplements you
can take, if taken in adequate amounts that may save you
and your family a lot of grief down the road. Dr. Whitaker
suggests a daily supplement regimen:

DHA, 50 mg (3-4 fish oil capsules); Curcumin, 900-1,800 mg;
Natural vitamin E,800-1,600 IU; Vitamin C,3,000 mg; Natural
beta-carotene, 15,000-20,000 IU; N-acetyl cysteine NAC),
500-1,500 mg; Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), 200-400 mg; CoQ10,
200-400 mg; Acetyl l carnitine (ALC), 1,000-2,000 mg;
Phosphatidylcholine, 250 mg; Phosphatidylserine, 100 mg;
and a good multivitamin and mineral supplement.

For many, if not most people, the above list of
anti-oxidants is forbidding. “I can’t swallow
that much” and “I can’t afford it”
are common objections. If we can eat a mouthful of food,
we can swallow a handful of supplements a couple at a time.
If we have enough money to spend on trinkets and
entertainment, perhaps reorganization of spending
priorities is in order.

You can fall prey to conflicting reports about the safety
and usefulness of supplements or you can educate yourself
and do what you have to do to maintain your cognitive
ability. If you don’t take care of yourself, who will?

----------------------------------------------------
Barbara Morris is a pharmacist and author of Put Old on
Hold. Visit her web site, http://www.PutOldonHold.com and
sign up for her free content-rich newsletter and receive a
complimentary copy of special report, "Thirteen Diva Tested
Tips for Fabulous Skin."