Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. People with AD experience gradual memory loss as well as impaired judgement, difficulty concentrating, loss of language skills, personality changes, and a decline in the ability to learn new tasks.
The rate of progression is different for each person. If AD develops rapidly, it is likely to continue to progress rapidly. If it has been slow to progress, it will likely continue on a slow course.
There is no cure for AD, but studies suggest that medications, herbs and supplements, and lifestyle adjustments may help slow the progression and improve the symptoms of the disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The early symptoms of AD are occasionally overlooked because they resemble signs that many people attribute to "natural aging." The following are the most common signs and symptoms of AD:
Psychological Symptoms
• Memory loss, including not recognizing friends and family members
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty comprehending words, completing sentences, or finding the right words
• Loss of familiarity with surroundings, wandering aimlessly
• Depression
• Hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis
• Aggression, agitation, anxiety, restlessness
• Accusatory behaviors (such as accusations of spousal infidelity)
• Withdrawal, disinterest, hostility, loss of inhibitions
Physical Symptoms
• Impaired movement or coordination
• Muscle rigidity, shuffling or dragging feet while walking
• Insomnia or disturbances in sleep patterns
• Weight loss
• Incontinence
• Muscle twitching or seizures
Causes
The causes of AD are not entirely known but are thought to include genetics and environmental factors. New research indicates that free radicals (highly reactive molecules that can cause oxidation, or damage to cells) may play a role in the development of AD.
A gene for the protein epsilon apolipoprotein (Apo E) -- especially Apo E3 and Apo E4 varieties -- is thought to accelerate the formation of abnormal deposits (called plaques) in the brain and increase the risk for AD. Reports indicate that 50 - 90% of those with the Apo E4 gene develop AD. However, even people without inherited genes for the disease can get AD.
Scientists also believe the environment may play a part in AD because people in different regions of the world have widely varying risks of developing the disease. For example, people living in Japan and West Africa have much less risk for AD than Japanese Americans and African-Americans.
People with AD have abnormal deposits, or plaques, in their brain tissue. These plaques contain beta amyloid, a protein that releases free radicals, or highly reactive molecules, that can cause damage to cells through a process called oxidation. These free radicals are believed to lower levels of acetylcholine (a brain chemical that helps transmit impulses in the nervous system) and damage brain tissue, bringing on the symptoms of AD.
Although not confirmed by scientific studies, other factors that have been speculated to contribute to the development of AD include infections (such as herpesvirus type 1), exposure to metal ions (such as aluminum, mercury, zinc, copper, and iron), or prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Preventive Care
- Consuming a low-fat, low-calorie diet may reduce the risk for AD.
- Higher intake of fatty, cold-water fish (such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel) may be associated with a lower risk of dementia. This may be due to the high level of omega-3 fatty acids found in such fish. Eating fish at least two to three times per week provides a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids, but dietary supplementation with capsules or liquid products is still recommended.
- Reducing intake of linoleic acid (found in margarine, butter, and dairy products) may prevent cognitive decline.
Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, E, and C (found in darkly colored fruits and vegetables), may help prevent damage caused by free radicals.
- Maintaining normal blood pressure levels may reduce the risk for AD.
- Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women may decrease production of chemicals that cause AD, stimulate growth of brain cells, and improve blood flow in the brain. However, the role of hormones in the prevention of AD is still controversial. HRT has also been shown to increase the risk for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.
Some studies suggest that certain medications may prevent AD, including statin drugs (such as pravastatin or lovastatin, used to lower cholesterol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), with the exception of aspirin. More research is necessary, however, to determine how effective these medications are in reducing the risk of the disease.
Keeping mentally and socially active may help delay the onset or slow the progression of AD.
Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
Individuals with AD may have particular dietary concerns. People with AD often forget to eat and drink, and, as a result, often become dehydrated.
Following these nutritional tips may help improve general health and well-being:
- Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes) and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
- Eat foods high in B-vitamins and calcium, such as almonds, beans, whole grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), and sea vegetables such as kelp and dulce.
- Eat more high-fiber foods, including beans, oats, root vegetables (such as potatoes and yams), and psyllium seed.
- Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
- Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.
- Use healthy oils in foods, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
- Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week.
You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:
- A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the
B-complex vitamins
, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 - 3 tablespoonfuls oil, one to three times daily, to help decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources but not substitutes for supplementation.
- Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg one to three times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.
- Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant, immune, and muscular support.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine, 500 mg daily, for antioxidant and muscle protective activity.
- Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and other species), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
- L-glutamine, 500 - 1,000 mg three times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
- L-arginine, 1 -2 gm three times daily, for blood vessel support.
- SAMe (s-adenosyl-L-methionine), 100 - 200 mg before breakfast daily, for mood improvement.
- Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, for antioxidant and immune system effects.
- L-theanine, 200 mg one to three times daily, for nervous system and brain support.
- Melatonin, 2 - 5 mg one hour before bedtime, for sleep and immune protection. Ask your health care provider about potential drug interactions with the use of melatonin.
