Cheating Alzheimer's Disease: Natural Ways To Maintain Brain Health As We Age


by Todd Pliss - Date: 2007-01-02 - Word Count: 822 Share This!

Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease where the nerve cells in the brain deteriorate. The result is memory loss and disorientation. The disease is thought to be responsible for seventy-five percent of dementia in persons 65 years and older. The disease affects millions of Americans.

It is not known exactly what causes Alzheimer's Disease. Different theories suggest exposure to aluminum (high levels of aluminum have been found during autopsies of victims), genetics, a reduced level of the brain chemical acetylcholine or possibly a viral infection.

Natural Help

Phosphatidyl Serine: This compound is one of the phospholipids found in brain tissue and plays an important part in brain function. Phosphatidyl Serine helps regenerate the outside of neurons, reversing the chronological age of these cells by as much as twelve years and improving the mental capacity of Alzheimer's patients.

Studies Show Phosphatidyl Serine's Effectiveness

Taking Phosphatidyl Serine (PS) orally benefits cognitive functions. Twenty five studies have been conducted, with 12 studies being double-blind. Most studies involved subjects with measurable losses in judgment, memory, and other higher mental functions. Two studies with PS have been conducted by Dr. T.H. Crook of the Memory Assessment Clinics of Bethesda, Maryland. In a 1991 study, 149 subjects, aged 50-75 years, were involved in a study. The subjects were given PS in doses of 300 mg. a day for 12 weeks.

At week 12, these test subjects had improved significantly on:

Learning names and faces

Recalling telephone numbers

Ability to concentrate

Recalling misplaced objects

Recalling paragraphs

The above benefits persisted for at least four weeks after the PS was discontinued. For name-face recognition, PS "pushed back the clock" by about 12 years. The researchers stated, "The magnitude of effect may be considered significant by many subjects and clinicians".

In Europe between 1985 and 1995, at least 10 double-blind studies were conducted. The researchers concluded ...."the changes observed in the present study reflect an improvement in behavior which can be useful for subjects and their families." In research done in 1993, at least ten studies were conducted with PS. These were randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled tests. 425 subjects, aged from 65-93 were involved and supervised by a large number of well-trained researchers. Test subjects were given 300 mg. per day, versus the placebo, for six months. After statistical analysis, scores for learning and memory were significantly improved. The authors concluded, stating, "The observations are remarkable, particularly, since the large number of subjects enrolled represents the geriatric population commonly encountered in clinical practice."

Ginkgo Biloba. Asian healers have used this herb for thousands of years to treat various ailments. Ginkgo biloba is one of the most widely used supplements in Europe and is also one of the 10 best selling herbal medications sold in the United States. Ginkgo Biloba maximizes the flow of blood to the brain and helps protect neurons. Numerous studies worldwide show the amazing benefits of ginkgo biloba. A review of studies of at least six months in duration showed that ginkgo biloba were effective in treating mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Ginkgo biloba is especially good for treating early symptoms.

Acetyl L-Carnitine. Research studies indicate that this nutrient may be able to slow down, or even reverse brain aging. According to top researchers, Acetyl L-carnitine (ACL), for people already diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease or other age related brain disorders, this nutrient may slow down their progression and improve mental functioning. It may also delay the onset of such diseases. ACL has become one of the most studied compounds in regard to brain aging and the nervous system. According to Dr. Russell L. Blaylock in Health and Nutrition Secrets, clinical studies show that ALC may have a "significant capacity to slow, and even reverse, the effects of aging on the brain."

How does ALC work? ALC may be able to help form the brain chemical acetylcholine, which is essential for proper memory function, it keeps brain cells working efficiently by clearing them of toxic fatty acid metabolites and it helps neurons damaged by free radicals. Many research studies support this theory, including electron microscopic analysis of the hippocampus region of the brain, which showed ALC ability to reverse the age related deterioration of mitochondria. According to leading nutrition expert Gary Null, autopsies show that people who had Alzheimer's experienced 25 to 40 percent less transferase activity than people without Alzheimer's. In other words, ALC may be so beneficial to Alzheimer's patients is because they are deficient in L-carnitine in the first place. According to an Italian animal study, ALC may greatly help stroke victims. If it is given to a stroke victim shortly after the stroke occurs, ALC may reduce the level of brain damage caused by the interrupted blood flow. Even if not given soon after the stroke, ALC appears to still help the patient improve memory, task performance and cognition during recovery.

Brain Support is a great formula that contains the above nutrients, including Phosphatidyl Serine and Acetyl L-Carnitine to help maintain proper brain health. Please visit www.ultrahealthnutritionals.com.


Related Tags: nutrition, anti-aging, memory, alternative health, alzheimers disease, brain health

www.ultrahealthnutritionals.com

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