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Dr. Alois Alzheimer studied, identified, and wrote about this
disease in the early 1900s. It now threatens millions of
older people around the world. Anyone over the age of 50
should be taking steps to make sure that they don't succumb to this
debilitating and ultimately fatal disease.
Recent
developments
1. (* NEW *)
Scientists discover way to reverse loss of memory
It seems that in some cases electrical stimulation of the brain
can reverse memory loss. I guess the question is how many
people can afford this type of treatment.
2. It appears that
the arthritis drug, Enbrel, can reverse the symptoms of
Alzheimer's in a few minutes!!!
3.
Within 5 years there could be a vaccine which will break up the
sticky globes of amyloid proteins which cause Alzheimer's
disease. Known as CAD106, it is the brainchild
of scientists at Zurich-based biotechnology firm Cytos.
New (7/5/7) 4.
PBT2 - Australian
doctors have produced a drug , PBT2, which not only prevents build up
of the amyloid protein linked to the disease, but actually clears
it out of the brain. Phase II clinical trails are
beginning. Here is another
article. 5. Huperzine A - It is
an extract from a club moss (Huperzia serrata) that has been used
for centuries in Chinese folk medicine. Huperzine's action
has been attributed to its ability to strongly inhibit
acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in
the synaptic cleft. Acetylcholine is involved in memory and
learning. By inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, more
acetylcholine becomes available to stimulate neurons. Alzheimer’s
disease is a condition where there’s a relative shortage of
acetylcholine.
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Want to try some Huperzine? Bottle at left has
60 capsules. Only $19.95 including shipping inside
the USA.
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What are the steps you can take to reduce your risk of suffering
from this fatal disease?
- 1. Do physical exercise.
- Walk, run, dance, swim, pump iron, whatever you can handle.
- 2. Do mental exercise.
- Learn a new language. Play bridge, or chess. Do
crossword puzzles. Read.
- Use
it or lose it!
- 3. Change your diet.
- The following foods have been found to be beneficial.
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- UCLA study says Curcumin is the key
substance.
- Study by Dr. Sally Frautschy points to curcumin.
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- Curcumin comes
from the spice Turmeric
- Low incidence of AD in India.
- http://www.juvenon.com/jhj/vol4no03.htm
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For example, one of the lowest age adjusted Alzheimer's rates in the world was recorded by
Chandra in a rural community in northern India. Incidence of Alzheimer's was 4.7 per 1000 person-years, as compared
to an incident rate of 17.5 per 1000 person years in the Monogahela Valley of Pennsylvania. (111) This is a 73
percent reduced rate.
Japan has lower rates than the United States. Japanese men who live in Hawaii experience
higher Alzheimer's rates, while stroke levels remain unchanged. In Japan, the ratio of AD to vascular dementia is
generally less than 1, whereas in Hawaii it was 1.5. Typical ratios in the United States and Europe are 2 or more.
(111) Greater consumption of fish, and much reduced contamination of food and water with aluminum are two
likely factors in this difference. However, the high soybean diet of Japan, while protective of some types of
cancers and high in silicon that could control aluminum absorption,
has been shown to kill neurons and might
account for the higher Alzheimer's rate in Japan compared to India or China. (148)
The reason is that soybean contains pseudo estrogens that block the receptors for estrogen. Brain cells require
estrogen to be healthy. As a result, an AD caretaker would likely want to avoid the use of soybeans in the diet.
- Alzheimer's affects only 1% of people over the age of 65
living in some Indian villages.
- http://www.hvk.org/articles/1101/245.html
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- Omega-3 fatty acids
- found in fish oils
may prevent Alzheimer's disease
- Eat more fish or take Omega-3 dietary supplements.
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- Blueberries
help fight Alzheimer's
- A cup of blueberries a day may keep "senior moments"
away, new findings suggest.
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- Anti-oxidants such as
- White tea
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
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The following paragraphs were excerpted
from the above link.
Over
the last several decades, scientists have discovered that the
body's formation of unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals
is unavoidable -- every cell produces tens of thousands of them each
day. We're also exposed to free radicals in the environment on a
daily basis. Cigarette smoke, for instance, is one of the most
concentrated sources of free radicals.
Left
unchecked, free radicals can cause extensive cell damage and
contribute to a whole list of chronic diseases. Luckily, the body
does have a defense system against these rogue "oxidant"
compounds: antioxidants. Found in numerous fruits and vegetables,
and even produced naturally by the human body, antioxidants
literally "mop up" free radicals.
The
more familiar antioxidants include vitamins E and C; the
carotenoids (such as beta-carotene); selenium; and flavonoids (anthocyanidins,
polyphenols, quercetin). All of these are readily supplied by a
varied and well-balanced diet. Probably lesser known are the
so-called "factory-installed" antioxidants produced by
the body itself; these include glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, and
coenzyme Q10.
Dietary supplements
The following are the supplements which I take:
Supplement
Purpose
-------------------
-----------------------------------------------
Vitamins C & E
provides antioxidants to prevent Alzheimer's
Curcumin
prevent Alzheimer's
Aspirin
keeps blood thin - helps prevent heart attacks
Omega-3 (fish
oil)
prevent Alzheimer's
Iron
pills
maintain healthy red blood cells
Glucosamine sulfate
prevents
arthritis
Vitamin B complex
prevent Alzheimer's
Sage
leaf
prevent Alzheimer's
DHEA
hormone supplement
Blueberries
prevent Alzheimer's
Citrical
provides calcium for strong bones
DMAE
active ingredient of skin care creams
Phosphatidyl choline
prevent Alzheimer's - help retain acetylcholine in the brain.
Lemonade prevent
kidney stones
Huperzine-A
prevent Alzheimer's (* NEW *)
What treatments are available? (In addition to the
above mentioned supplements)
- 1. Donepezil (Aricept) -
offered by Eisai & Pfizer
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- 2. Galantamine
(Reminyl) - offered by Johnson & Johnson
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- 3. Rivostigmine
(Exelon) - offered by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
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- 4. Memantine
(Axura) - offered by the German company Merz.
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Comments? Email me at crwillis@androidworld.com
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