Three Ways to Prevent and Treat Dementia and Alzheimer’s by Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS
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n Canada, more than 15 percent of those living with Alzheimer’s are under the age of 65, so no longer do we see this as simply a disease of aging. Women make up more than 72 percent of those with Alzheimer’s disease and one in 10 adults will develop dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills ... Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type. But there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.”
Super brain nutrients One of the most promising areas of research in the improvement of dementia is in the area of nutritional supplements. The following four super brain nutrients can provide the protection we need to keep our brain healthy. Acetyl-L-carnitine, memory booster: Extensive research shows acetyl-L-carnitine can protect brain cells, restore flagging energy, and stimulate brain cells, prompting them to grow new connections to other neurons. But where acetyl-L-
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carnitine is most important is in combating brain aging and preventing dementia. Studies of Alzheimer’s suffers have reported improvements in memory compared to patients receiving placebo. One study showed that when acetyl-Lcarnitine was added to the typical drugs for Alzheimer’s a variety of functional and behavioural parameters were improved by over 50 percent when compared to the drugs alone. Stanford University researchers stated that acetyl-Lcarnitine slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Acetyl-L-carnitine is also an important nutrient in the treat-
ment of stroke victims, improving memory, task performance and cognition during recovery after stroke, especially when combined with blueberry extract. And what about boosting brain power in anyone? A dose of 500 mg of acetyl-l-carnitine with breakfast can jump-start the brain, improving mental clarity, spatial learning and energy. Anti-aging alpha lipoic acid: Found in every cell in the body, alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off infection and disease, protect organs and prevent premature aging.
Alpha lipoic acid helps turn glucose into energy in the cells, making it an important treatment for diabetes, and is recognized to relieve painful diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). Alpha lipoic acid has also been studied for poststroke treatment due to its protective effect on brain and nervous tissue. Diabetes type 3 is a newly discovered form of brain diabetes causing increased brain aging. The combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid are superstars at improving overall brain function, thereby reducing memory decline.