What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder that manifests as a progressive deterioration of memory and mental function, a state of mind commonly referred to as dementia. In the United States, five percent of the population over sixty-five suffer from severe dementia, while another ten percent suffer from mild to moderate dementia. With increasing age, there is a rise in frequency. For example, in people over age eighty, the frequency rate for dementia is over twenty-five percent.

What are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Progressive mental deterioration, loss of memory and cognitive functions, inability to carry out activities of daily life are the characteristic symptoms of AD. The symptoms of AD are related to a reduced level of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter in the brain that is especially important for memory.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by distinctive changes in the brain. The primary feature is the formation of what are referred to as neurofibrillary tangles and plaques. Simplistically speaking, these neurofibrillary tangles and plaques are "scars," composed of deposits of various proteins and cellular debris. The result is massive loss of brain cells, especially in key areas of the brain that control mental function.

Genetic factors play a major role. However, although genes probably play a significant role in determining who is going to develop AD, like most chronic degenerative diseases, environmental factors also play a significant role. Increased oxidative damage, traumatic injury to the head, chronic exposure to aluminum and/or silicon, exposure to toxins from environmental sources, and free-radical damage have all been implicated as causative factors.

Considerable attention has been given to the aluminum concentration in the neurofibrillary tangle. Whether the aluminum concentration develops in response to AD or initiates the lesions has not yet been determined, but significant evidence shows that it contributes, possibly very significantly, to the disease. It certainly seems appropriate to avoid all known sources of aluminum: antacids and antiperspirants that contain aluminum; aluminum pots and pans; aluminum foil as food wrapping; and nondairy creamers.

What dietary factors are important in Alzheimer's disease?

In the elderly, studies have shown that mental function is directly related to nutritional status. High nutritional status equals higher mental function. Given the frequency of nutrient deficiency in the elderly population, it is likely that many cases of impaired mental function may have a nutritional cause. Also, since there is considerable evidence that oxidative damage plays a major role in the development and progression of AD and that diets that are high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E prevent AD, it only makes sense to eat a diet rich green leafy vegetables; highly-colored vegetables such as carrots, yams, and squash; and flavonoid-rich fruits like citrus, berries, and cherries.

What nutritional supplements should I take for Alzheimer's disease?

There are a number of products that show tremendous potential, but in general, natural products are best utilized in the early stages of any disease process. Here are the key supplement recommendations:

Foundation Supplements. There are three products from Natural Factors that I think are critical in supporting good health:

• MultiStart (age and gender specific multiple vitamin and mineral formulas). Follow label instructions.
• Enriching Greens - a great tasting "greens drink" containing highly concentrated "greens" like chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass juice, barley grass juice, etc., and herbal extracts. Take one serving (one tablespoon) in 8 ounces of water daily.
• RxOmega-3 Factors - A true pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement. Take two capsules daily.

Phosphatidylserine plays a major role in determining the integrity and fluidity of brain cell membranes. Normally, the brain can manufacture sufficient levels of phosphatidylserine, but if there is a deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B12, or of essential fatty acids, the brain may not be able to make sufficient phosphatidylserine. Low levels of phosphatidylserine in the brain are associated with impaired mental function and depression in the elderly. Over a dozen double-blind studies have shown phosphatidylserine to improve in mental function, mood, and behavior patients with AD and senility. Take 100 mg three times daily.

L-Acetylcarnitine (LAC) is a vitamin-like compound that has been the subject of numerous studies on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, senile depression, and age-related memory defects. The results of using LAC to delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease have been outstanding. The studies have been well controlled and extremely thorough. Take 1,500 mg of LAC daily.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). Although studies involving patients with well established Alzheimer's disease have not shown much benefit, GBE can definitely help reverse or delay mental deterioration during the early stages of AD. GBE should be taken consistently for at least twelve weeks in order to determine effectiveness. Although some people with AD report benefits within a two- to three-week period, most will need to take GBE for a longer period of time (e.g., six months) before seeing results, and will need to take GBE indefinitely to maintain the improvement. Typical dosage is 240 to 320 mg daily (can be taken all at once).

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is the most abundant hormone in the bloodstream and is found in extremely high concentrations in the brain. As DHEA levels decline dramatically with aging, low levels of DHEA in the blood and brain are thought to contribute to many symptoms associated with aging, including impaired mental function. Preliminary studies show DHEA effective in enhancing memory and improving cognitive function in elderly subjects. The level of DHEA necessary to improve brain power in men over age fifty appears to be 25 to 50 mg per day. For women, a dosage of 15 to 25 mg appears to be sufficient in most cases. Taking too much DHEA can cause acne and may increase the risk of hormone sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancer.

How do I know if the program is working?

Improvements in mental function and memory should be apparent after 2-3 months on this program.

Feedback:

Please let Dr. Murray know how this program has worked for you by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Testimonials:

From Dr. Murray: In my clinical experience, I witnessed tremendous improvements in mental function in mood in patients with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease who I treated with natural medicines, particularly Ginkgo biloba extract. However, I cannot say the same for patients with more advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. The sooner treatment with natural measures can be started, the better the results. In the advanced stages of AD, these natural measures (with the possible exception of huperzine A and L-acetylcarnitine) will be unfruitful. The primary goal should be prevention by addressing suspected disease processes (e.g., aluminum and free-radical damage) and using natural measures to improve mental function in the early stages of the disease. Based upon good research it appears that Alzheimer's disease does not have to be the price to pay for living longer - it appears it can be prevented and reversed in the early stages.

Condition Center Caution:

• Dr. Murray’s recommendations and protocols for nutritional support are not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical care.
• The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
• If you have a medical condition or disease, please talk to your doctor prior to using the recommendations given.
• Do not self-diagnose. Proper medical care is critical to good health. If you have a health concern or undiagnosed sign or symptom, please consult a physician, preferably a naturopathic doctor (N.D.), nutritionally oriented medical doctor (M.D. or (D.O.), or other health care specialist. Please go to www.naturopathic.org to find a qualified naturopathic doctor (N.D.) in your area to help you.
• Make your physician aware of all the nutritional supplements or herbal products you are currently taking to avoid any negative interactions with any drugs you are taking.
• If you are currently taking a prescription medication, you absolutely must work with your doctor before discontinuing any drug or altering any drug regimen.