Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease cases have been rapidly increasing over the last half century, and are currently the seventh leading cause of death in America.  Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and affects our ability to form memories, communicate and perform the most common daily tasks.  Fifty years ago, Alzheimer's Disease was virtually unknown to medical science, yet today we see a skyrocketing incidence of this devastating affliction.  While there is a genetic component to the disease, it is largely the result of lifestyle, poor diet and environmental factors which cause systemic inflammation in the body.

Alzheimer's Disease Caused by Brain Inflammation

The Standard American Diet is known to promote a low grade inflammation throughout the body, and is linked with heart disease, stroke and cancer.  We can add Alzheimer's Disease to the list, as the brain is susceptible to the ravages of inflammatory chemicals which are released into the blood as a result of poor diet and environmental assault.

The disease is characterized by the accumulation of a protein known as beta amyloid which blocks communications between the neuron's synapses.  Normally the brain is able to break down the amyloid plaques so they can be removed properly, but this function becomes limited as inflammation affects the normal plaque clearance process in the brain.  Alzheimer's was a very rare condition prior to 1950.  Our diet did not include all the refined, processed and fried foods.  Meals were made at home from natural ingredients including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we were not continually exposed to a barrage of unhealthy chemicals and pollutants in our homes and the environment.

Anti-Aging Formula Increases Brain Synapse Formation

Scientists have been working feverishly on drugs and natural nutraceuticals which may have an impact on the development and progression of Alzheimer's Disease.  There are several drugs which have been approved for management of the disease, but they are at best palliative.  Recent studies have demonstrated that a specially formulated cocktail consisting of uridine, choline and the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA helped the brain to form new synapses for communication between neurons.  

DHA is especially important for brain health, as more than half of the brain cell membranes are composed of the fat.  When DHA is in short supply in the blood, other inferior fats must be used for the construction process resulting in a cell which cannot function optimally.  Also important to the formula for synapse development in the brain are the B Vitamins, especially the B-12 derivative Methylcobalamin which provides the electrical charge that cause the synapse to fire.  This is an important finding for those wishing to prevent and even treat Alzheimer's Disease since the more healthy synapses which exist in the brain, the better we can process, store and manipulate information and memories.

Targeted Supplements Inhibit Plaque Formation

The most exciting research involves two critical nutrients, which when combined have been shown to reduce the amount of beta amyloid plaque formation in the brain.  Resveratrol and Circumin when taken together can reduce plaque deposits.  While there is controversy as to whether beta amyloid protein is the cause or effect of Alzheimer's Disease, there is little argument that clearing this sticky substance from the brain is the key to prevention and even treatment.  Resveratrol is an extract from the skins of red grapes which has the ability to break apart amyloid deposits.  Circumin is a natural component of the spice curry, and is a powerful antioxidant.  Working synergistically with Resveratrol, the two provide a powerful punch to plaque formation, and given their excellent safety record, should be a part of every dietary program to prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Lifestyle has been shown to be a key component in the development of Alzheimer's Disease.  Diet and our environment have changed dramatically over the past decades, and are the primary cause of the rampant increase in the disease.  Drug manufacturers are working hard to find the 'magic bullet' which will cure this disease, yet the best tools we have for prevention are realized by following a healthy diet, careful monitoring of the chemical environment to which we are subjected each day and supplementing with a targeted group of nutraceuticals which are essential to healthy brain function.