Dear Pharmacist
by Suzy Cohen, RPh
Q:
Dear Pharmacist, My father was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s although mom has complained for years that he was forgetful. This became crystal clear to our family when we sat down to Christmas dinner and he couldn’t remember what holiday it was. The doctor wants to prescribe Aricept for dad, but we are all fans of yours and hope you can recommend something natural to try before the medication. -- H.C. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida You have lots of choices. With your doctor’s approval, you can
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April 2010
Are You Forgetful? Try These Natural Memory Boosters try a couple of these, or look for a multi-tasking product that combines many of the ingredients below. Huperzine A: It’s number one on my list because research proves it has a beneficial effect on memory and cognitive function. The herb -popular in Chinese medicine- works by boosting levels of the neurotransmitter “acetylcholine,” a memory chemical that is deficient in people with Alzheimer’s. Acetyl-L-Carnitine: It creates acetylcholine, a primary memory molecule. DHA: This is a type of essential fatty acid that improves learning and memory. It’s super important for brain function. CoQ10: This antioxidant and its active form called “ubi-
quinol” offer maid service to your brain cells. Research suggests the cleansing action of CoQ10 slows down dementia and memory loss. Pregnenolone: This improves nerve firing, protects brain cells and enhances a process called “myelination” which protects nerve fibers. It’s made in your brain from from cholesterol and if you take drugs to lower cholesterol, your memory function plummets right along with those triglycerides! Does this explain a lot for those of you who feel like you’re losing your mind? Simply put, statins could make you as sharp as a marble! Ask your doctor if you can supplement with pregnenolone while taking your medicine, or to discontinue your medication. Lithium orotate (5-10 mg daily): A natural over-the-counter supplement that may reduce feelings of anger/agitation and promote cheerfulness. You may associate lithium drugs with people who have bipolar disorder, however lithium is essential for everyone. This
Did You Know? Generic medications offer a low-cost alternative to pricey brand name drugs and work just as well.
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