Alzheimer’s disease the most common of neurological conditions, affects over 5 million people worldwide. It causes patients to lose their memories and it debilitates them to the point where they need round the clock care.
The disease is top five causes of death it has no known cure.
Scientists believe that Alzheimer’s is caused by combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.
Below are component’s that scientists are looking at when searching for cure:
– reducing and eliminating beta-amyloid plaques in brain
– regenerating of neurons
– repairing damage caused by disease
– improving the mental functions of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Will You Develop Alzheimer’s Disease?
Your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease increase with age, but experts agree that Alzheimer’s is not part of normal aging.
Less than 5 percent of the time, Alzheimer’s is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee a person will develop the disease.
Much of the Alzheimer’s research is now focused on amyloid and tau proteins. The build up and damage caused by these two proteins are a marker of patients with this disease. Besides Amyloid and Tau proteins other factors that might also play a role are:
- Vascular health
- Inflammation
- Lifestyle
- Previous head trauma
Causes of Alzheimer’s
In the last few years, research has shown that the creation of toxic proteins in the brains, called beta-amyloid and tau, can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. What’s less clear is what causes these proteins to accumulate.
In Alzheimer’s, threads of tau protein twist into abnormal tangles inside brain cells, leading to failure of the transport system. This failure is also strongly implicated in the decline and death of brain cells.
What is amyloid protein?
Amyloid is a protein normally found in the body. In Alzheimer’s disease, the amyloid protein is processed incorrectly creating a substance called beta-amyloid. This newly created substance is toxic to brain cells. In a healthy brain, these proteins would be broken down, but in an Alzheimer’s patient, these fragments accumulate to form plaques which eventually lead to the death of neurons.
What are tau tangles?
Along with amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, which are made up of Tau protein, are another sign of Alzheimer’s disease. In a healthy brain, tau forms part of a structure called a microtubule, which helps transport nutrients and other important substances from one part of the nerve cell to another. In Alzheimer’s disease, the tau protein is abnormal and the microtubule structures collapse, which leads to the death of brain cells. 11
In the current study, the scientists discovered that, in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, the accumulation of tau in neurons disrupts the cells’ ability to strengthen their connections with other neurons, preventing them from stabilizing new memories.
amyloid and tau malformations are more likely as we age, and certain genetic mutations have been linked to their deformation in a percentage of patients. But what causes these proteins to malfunction continues to remain a mystery.
Anti-Alzheimer’s Strategy
My goal is to prevent Alzheimer’s by targeting the causes currently believed to cause the disease using supplements, diet and exercise.
- Take supplements that prevent or eliminate the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain.
- Eat an anti-inflammation diet
- Engage in both physical and mental exercise
Supplements to Fight Alzheimer’s
Ashwagandha
The Ayurvedic plant, Ashwagandha, has powerful antioxidant component.
Extracts from Ashwagandha’s fruit and root protect brain cells in culture from the oxidant effects of amyloid beta; in one study they negated the cell death caused by amyloid beta.1
Laboratory findings reveal that ashwagandha extract inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, one of the brain’s key chemical messengers.3 Drugs such as Aricept®, which is currently used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, act in this very manner to slow the progression of this mind-robbing disease as well as improve cognition and behavior.4
Aspirin
Asprin reduces inflammation in the body, and it also reduces the number of activated platelets which is a problem in people with Alzheimer’s. Aspirin appears to promote conversion of DHA into anti-inflammatory molecules that may help to blunt the effects of inflammation on development of Alzheimer’s disease.5
Curcumin
Curcumin is derived from the Turmeric spice. It is an antioxidant that protects brain cells and their mitochondria against amyloid toxicity, and it inhibits the formation of abnormal proteins. 6,7
B-Vitamins
Laboratory and human studies show that B-vitamin supplements lower homocysteine, slow buildup of abnormal proteins amyloid beta and tau, and reverse the cognitive and memory deficits induced by artificially elevated homocysteine levels.8
Magnesium
Increasing brain magnesium using a special compound called magnesium-L-threonate restores degraded neuronal connections by increasing synaptic density, a process that underlies learning and memory.9
Lab studies show that low levels of magnesium promote enzymes involved in the build up of amyloid proteins. At higher levels, magnesium leads to the breakdown of amyloid proteins. 10
Low magnesium levels are lower in Alzheimer’s patients, and the degree of the magnesium deficiency is in direct proportion to the severity of the disease.11
Lipoic Acid
Lipoic acid protects brain cells from death induced by amyloid beta, in addition , it binds to toxic metals. 12 43 Lipoic acid boosts production of acetylcholine in the brain, making more of the neurotransmitter available. In animal studies, alpha-lipoic acid slows down cognitive breakdown and loss of memory at a dose of 600mg/day. 13
CoQ10 and PQQ
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) are essential nutrients that important in the health of mitochondria.
Lab studies indicate that CoQ10 minimizes the amount of amyloid beta plaque formation in the brain. PQQ is similar to CoQ10, but it acts after the amyloid beta has accumulated. PQQ helps cells to regenerate after amyloid beta-induced oxidant stress.14
Anti-Inflammation Diet
The anti-inflammation diet emphasizes foods that are high in antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which help to reduce inflammation. As important as what to eat, is what not to eat. Sugar should be avoided at all costs as it increases inflammation in the body.
Salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts (all rich in omega-3s) are the main anti-inflammation diet foods along with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as berries, broccoli, carrots, and spinach.
Olive oil is the primary source of fat. Choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy products help to keep saturated fat levels down.
Vegetable oils, which are high in omega-6 fats (getting too much omega-6 fat is believed to increase inflammation), and simple carbohydrates are minimized.
Certain spices, such as garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chili peppers, also have powerful anti-inflammation properties and are a major part of the diet.
Other foods that have anti-inflammation and can aid in the fight against Alzheimer’s are:
- Cinnamon
- Green Tea
- Hibiscus Tea
- Blueberries
The Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Action Plans
Caffeine
Studies show that caffeine can reduce brain levels of toxic amyloid beta proteins in animals, while not only slowing but in fact reversing the amyloid beta-associated cognitive impairment.89,94,95 Just 1 to 2 months of caffeine treatment restored memory and lowered brain amyloid beta levels in mice.89
Coffee’s other components, including chlorogenic acid, also have major protective effects on brain cells.90,96-99 It is likely, however, that coffee’s primary benefit to brain health is related largely to its caffeine content.
Coconut Oil
An alternative source of energy for the brain, for people currently suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Rosemary
Rosmarinic acid found in rosemary inhibits the creation of beta-amyloid and it helps to dissolve any beta-amyloid plaques that have already formed. These results were so impressive that the researchers concluded that rosmarinic acid “could be a key molecule for the development of therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease.”15
besides preventing and reducing amyloid protein build up, rosmarinic acid also helps prevent the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Staying both physically and mentally active, taking the right supplements and changing your diet to reduce inflammation are the best tools we have to fight off this terrible disease.
These strategies will buy you time while the research catches up with this devastating disease.
Reference
- Jayaprakasam B, Padmanabhan K, Nair MG. Withanamides in Withania somnifera fruit protect PC-12 cells from beta-amyloid responsible for Alzheimer’s disease. Phytother Res. 2010 Jun;24(6):859-63.
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/alzheimers-disease-what-stands-between-us-and-a-cure-080215#6 - Choudhary MI, Yousuf S, Nawaz SA, Ahmed S, Atta uR. Cholinesterase inhibiting withanolides from Withania somnifera. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2004 Nov;52(11):1358-61.
- Wilkinson DG, Francis PT, Schwam E, Payne-Parrish J. Cholinesterase inhibitors used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: the relationship between pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy. Drugs Aging. 2004;21(7):453-78.
- Pomponi M, Bria P. Is Alzheimer’s disease a synaptic disorder? J Alzheimers Dis. 2008 Feb;13(1):39-47.
- Pomponi MF, Gambassi G, Pomponi M, Di Gioia A, Masullo C. Why docosahexaenoic acid and aspirin supplementation could be useful in women as a primary prevention therapy against Alzheimer’s disease? Ageing Res Rev. 2011 Jan;10
- Zhang JJ, Zhang RF, Meng XK. Protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone against Amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Neurosci Lett. 2009 Oct 30;464(3):165-9.
- Verma M, Sharma A, Naidu S, Bhadra AK, Kukreti R, Taneja V. Curcumin Prevents Formation of Polyglutamine Aggregates by Inhibiting Vps36, a Component of the ESCRT-II Complex. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e42923.
- Smith AD, Smith SM, de Jager CA, et al. Homocysteine-lowering by B vitamins slows the rate of accelerated brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2010;5(9):e12244.
- Slutsky I, Abumaria N, Wu LJ, et al. Enhancement of learning and memory by elevating brain magnesium. Neuron. 2010 Jan 28;65(2):165-77.
- Yu J, Sun M, Chen Z, et al. Magnesium modulates amyloid-beta protein precursor trafficking and processing. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20(4):1091-106.
- Cilliler AE, Ozturk S, Ozbakir S. Serum magnesium level and clinical deterioration in Alzheimer’s disease. Gerontology. 2007;53(6):419-22.
- Lovell MA, Xie C, Xiong S, Markesbery WR. Protection against amyloid beta peptide and iron/hydrogen peroxide toxicity by alpha lipoic acid. J Alzheimers Dis. 2003 Jun;5(3):229-39.
- Joseph JA, Denisova NA, Arendash G, et al. Blueberry supplementation enhances signaling and prevents behavioral deficits in an Alzheimer disease model. Nutr Neurosci. 2003 Jun;6(3):153-62.
- Zhang JJ, Zhang RF, Meng XK. Protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone against Amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Neurosci Lett. 2009 Oct 30;464(3):165-9.
- Palacios HH, Yendluri BB, Parvathaneni K, et al. Mitochondrion-specific antioxidants as drug treatments for Alzheimer disease. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2011 Mar;10(2):149-62.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3575183/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/alzheimers-treatments/art-20047780?pg=2
http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2013/3/Nutritional-Strategies-to-Combat-Alzheimers/Page-03
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