Supplements for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

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Supplements for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

 

 

© Ray Sahelian M.D.

 

 

 

 

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive deterioration in mental functioning

first described by Alois Alzheimer in 1907. The onset most commonly starts in

one's 80s, although it has been known to start as early as age 30. One of the

major cognitive problems with AD is the inability to acquire new knowledge. Loss

of the sense of smell is common, and the mental deterioration proceeds to affect

language and motor skills.

While scientists have not fully determined the actual causes of Alzheimer's

disease, a number of treatment options have been proposed. These include the use

of antioxidants, blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, and improving blood

flow to brain cells. There are currently no effective pharmaceutical drugs for

treating AD. If someone you know has AD, I believe it is worthwhile exploring

nutritional therapies.

Vitamins E and C It's quite likely that quite a number of different antioxidants

are beneficial. A highly publicized article in The New England Journal of

Medicine reported that the daily use of 1,000 units of vitamin E was effective

in slowing the progression of this disease. Researchers at the Rush Alzheimer's

Disease Center, Rush University, in Chicago, Illinois, found through an

epidemiological survey that the use of vitamin E and C supplements reduces the

risk of developing AD.

Blocking the Breakdown of Acetylcholine Another approach that has been tried is

to prevent the degradation of acetylcholine, the brain chemical associated with

learning and memory. This can be achieved by providing drugs that block the

activity of the enzyme cholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine. Two of

these drugs are tacrine (Cognex) and donezepil (Aricept).

A Chinese herbal extract called huperzine A has been shown in preliminary

studies to block cholinesterase even more potently than tacrine. Early studies

indicate that huperzine A is much safer than tacrine.

Improving Blood Circulation Any step taken to reduce atherosclerosis, or

hardening of the arteries, is likely to improve blood circulation to the brain.

A study in The Journal of the American Medical Association had good news about

the herb ginkgo biloba. Therapy with 40 mg of ginkgo three times a day for one

year had a positive effect in patients with AD. There are several compounds in

ginkgo that improve circulation and act as blood thinners and antioxidants.

Combination Therapy The nutritional approach to treating patients with AD is

still very new, and there are no standards that have been developed. It may take

trial and error to find the ideal regimen for each patient. In addition to

antioxidants, ginkgo, and huperzine, B vitamins at about two to five times the

RDA should be helpful.

Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in order to obtain important

carotenoids and flavonoids. Vitamin E, between 200 and 400 units a day,

preferably of mixed tocopherols, should be taken with a meal. The dosage for

vitamin C is 250 mg once or twice a day. A 40-mg dose of ginkgo twice daily with

breakfast and lunch is recommended. Huperzine A is an exciting addition to the

nutritional armamentarium of natural therapies for AD. A dosage of 0.02 to 0.05

mg per day can be tried instead of the standard cholinesterase inhibitors.

Summary Finding an effective therapy for AD is very challenging. However, with a

great deal of patience, and trial and error, it is likely that a combination of

nutrients can be found that can improve quality of life and cognitive function.

Even though many nutritional options have been presented in this article, it is

important not take all of these supplements at the same time, but to gradually

add one, and then another, in low dosages in order to determine the

effectiveness of each addition. The use of nutrients is especially appropriate

in the treatment of AD since currently there is no effective pharmaceutical

therapy for this condition.

Ray Sahelian, M.D., is the author of the newly published Mind Boosters: A Guide

to Natural Supplements That Enhance Your Mind, Memory, and Mood (St. Martins

Press, $14.95, 2000). For more details, updates, and to ask questions, see

www.raysahelian.com.

Le Bars, P.L., et al. 1997. A placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial

of an extract of ginkgo biloba for dementia. JAMA 278:1327-1332.

Morris, M.C., et al. 1998. Vitamin E and vitamin C supplement use and risk of

incident Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer. Dis. Assoc. Disord.Sep;12(3):121-6.

Sano, M., Ernesto, C., Thomas, R.G., et al. 1997. A controlled trial of

selegiline, alpha-tocopherol, or both as treatment for Alzheimer's disease. N.

Engl. J. Med. 336:1216-1222.

Xu, S.S., et al. 1995. Efficacy of oral huperzine-A on memory, cognition, and

behavior in Alzheimer's disease. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 16(5):391-5.

 

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