B12 and Alzheimers

[Guest guest]

Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement....

 

Jo

 

Food is Medicine Approach for Memory Loss and Alzheimers

FOOD OR DRUGS? THE VERDICT

 

Every year in Europe, a million people are diagnosed with memory decline,

and 400,000 of them go on to be diagnosed with dementia. If you are over 35,

it’s time to think about Alzheimer’s. As strange as this may sound, we now

know that it takes approximately 40 years to develop Alzheimer’s and there

are no obvious signs, except perhaps a minor deterioration in memory and

concentration, for at least the first 20 years of the disease process. Many

people think of this as ‘getting old’, but you can age without excessive

memory loss.

 

Most of the current medications – donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)

and galantamine (Reminyl) – can temporarily improve or stabilize the

symptoms of dementia, but once you stop your prescription, you’ll

deteriorate rapidly and within six weeks you will be no better than someone

who has never taken the drug.

 

What all this adds up to is that Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the vast

majority of cases of dementia, is preventable. What is equally clear is that

there is no drug that can do anything except, at most, briefly delay the

debilitating symptoms. The nutritional approach, however, could play a role

beyond the preventative, as valuable as that is. It may also reverse early

signs of memory and mental impairment without any associated side effects.

If this proves to be so in ongoing trials, the nutritional approach should

certainly be the first port of call for anyone with memory problems.

 

WHAT WORKS

Test your homocysteine level. If you have a relative whose mental gears are

starting to slip, make sure they have a simple memory test, just to get a

measure of the situation, plus a homocysteine test, which is the best

indicator of risk. If their (and in fact, your) homocysteine level is above

9 units and there are any signs or symptoms of memory problems, we recommend

supplementing with a homocysteine-lowering formula. This should provide

vitamin B6 (20 to 100mg), B12 (100 to 500mcg), and folic acid (1,000 to

2,000mcg) a day or, better still, take an all-round homocysteine-lowering

formula containing TMG and B2 as well. N-acetyl-cysteine (500mg a day).

Alternatively, choose a homocysteine formula incorporating a special form of

B12, methyl B12, which works best.

 

Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommend

supplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two to

three times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental health

is likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,

doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.

 

Increase your antioxidants. To ensure you are getting the proper types and

amounts of antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and vegetables with a variety of

colours. Think blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, red cabbage,

sweet potatoes, carrots and so on – antioxidants such as the anthocyanidans

found in red and purple fruit and vegetables are powerful and highly

efficient at scavenging free radicals. On top of this, supplement 2,000 mg

of vitamin C a day, taken in two divided doses, plus 400iu (300mg) of

vitamin E, as part of an all-round antioxidant that contains

N-acetyl-cysteine and/or reduced glutathione.

 

Stay mentally and physically active. Keep learning new things and using your

mind, and exercise at least three times a week. Even walking 15 minutes a

day makes a difference.

 

Dig deeper by reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs for all the

evidence to support this approach, and its comparitive effectiveness and

safety compared to the conventional treatment of memory loss and Alzheimer’

s. Also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by Patrick Holford with Shane

Heaton and Deborah Colson.

 

WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Ask your doctor to measure your homocysteine level (or you can measure your

own homocysteine level with a home test [link to homocysteine test

resources]. If your level is high, you should take a supplement with B

vitamins as well as zinc, TMG and NAC, and top up daily with plenty of

B-rich fruit and green, leafy vegetables.

 

What if your doctor draws a blank or needs convincing? Show them the

evidence: either lend them a copy of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by

Patrick Holford, or refer them to the work of Oxford’s Optima Project or the

Alzheimer’s Research Trust.

 

If you, or a relative of yours, is prescribed Aricept, monitor changes in

their memory. If it makes no difference, there’s little point in taking this

drug.

[Guest guest]

Still on the soapbox?...

Peter H

 

 

jo <jo.heartwork Sent: Friday, 18 January, 2008 6:58:15 PM B12 and Alzheimers

 

Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement.. ..JoFood is Medicine Approach for Memory Loss and AlzheimersFOOD OR DRUGS? THE VERDICTEvery year in Europe, a million people are diagnosed with memory decline,and 400,000 of them go on to be diagnosed with dementia. If you are over 35,it’s time to think about Alzheimer’s. As strange as this may sound, we nowknow that it takes approximately 40 years to develop Alzheimer’s and thereare no obvious signs, except perhaps a minor deterioration in memory andconcentration, for at least the first 20 years of the disease process. Manypeople think of this as ‘getting old’, but you can age without excessivememory loss.Most of the current medications – donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)and galantamine (Reminyl) – can temporarily improve or stabilize thesymptoms of dementia, but once you stop your

prescription, you’lldeteriorate rapidly and within six weeks you will be no better than someonewho has never taken the drug.What all this adds up to is that Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the vastmajority of cases of dementia, is preventable. What is equally clear is thatthere is no drug that can do anything except, at most, briefly delay thedebilitating symptoms. The nutritional approach, however, could play a rolebeyond the preventative, as valuable as that is. It may also reverse earlysigns of memory and mental impairment without any associated side effects.If this proves to be so in ongoing trials, the nutritional approach shouldcertainly be the first port of call for anyone with memory problems.WHAT WORKSTest your homocysteine level. If you have a relative whose mental gears arestarting to slip, make sure they have a simple memory test, just to get ameasure of the situation, plus

a homocysteine test, which is the bestindicator of risk. If their (and in fact, your) homocysteine level is above9 units and there are any signs or symptoms of memory problems, we recommendsupplementing with a homocysteine- lowering formula. This should providevitamin B6 (20 to 100mg), B12 (100 to 500mcg), and folic acid (1,000 to2,000mcg) a day or, better still, take an all-round homocysteine- loweringformula containing TMG and B2 as well. N-acetyl-cysteine (500mg a day).Alternatively, choose a homocysteine formula incorporating a special form ofB12, methyl B12, which works best.Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommendsupplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two tothree times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental healthis likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,doubling this if you have age-related

memory decline.Increase your antioxidants. To ensure you are getting the proper types andamounts of antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and vegetables with a variety ofcolours. Think blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, red cabbage,sweet potatoes, carrots and so on – antioxidants such as the anthocyanidansfound in red and purple fruit and vegetables are powerful and highlyefficient at scavenging free radicals. On top of this, supplement 2,000 mgof vitamin C a day, taken in two divided doses, plus 400iu (300mg) ofvitamin E, as part of an all-round antioxidant that containsN-acetyl-cysteine and/or reduced glutathione.Stay mentally and physically active. Keep learning new things and using yourmind, and exercise at least three times a week. Even walking 15 minutes aday makes a difference.Dig deeper by reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs for all theevidence to support this

approach, and its comparitive effectiveness andsafety compared to the conventional treatment of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by Patrick Holford with ShaneHeaton and Deborah Colson.WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTORAsk your doctor to measure your homocysteine level (or you can measure yourown homocysteine level with a home test [link to homocysteine testresources]. If your level is high, you should take a supplement with Bvitamins as well as zinc, TMG and NAC, and top up daily with plenty ofB-rich fruit and green, leafy vegetables.What if your doctor draws a blank or needs convincing? Show them theevidence: either lend them a copy of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan byPatrick Holford, or refer them to the work of Oxford’s Optima Project or theAlzheimer’s Research Trust.If you, or a relative of yours, is prescribed Aricept, monitor changes

intheir memory. If it makes no difference, there’s little point in taking thisdrug.

Sent from - a smarter inbox.

[Guest guest]



Oh yes - it's important.

 

Jo

 

-

Peter VV

Friday, January 18, 2008 9:00 PM

Re: B12 and Alzheimers

 

 

 

Still on the soapbox?...

Peter H

 

 

jo <jo.heartwork Sent: Friday, 18 January, 2008 6:58:15 PM B12 and Alzheimers

 

Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement.. ..JoFood is Medicine Approach for Memory Loss and AlzheimersFOOD OR DRUGS? THE VERDICTEvery year in Europe, a million people are diagnosed with memory decline,and 400,000 of them go on to be diagnosed with dementia. If you are over 35,it’s time to think about Alzheimer’s. As strange as this may sound, we nowknow that it takes approximately 40 years to develop Alzheimer’s and thereare no obvious signs, except perhaps a minor deterioration in memory andconcentration, for at least the first 20 years of the disease process. Manypeople think of this as ‘getting old’, but you can age without excessivememory loss.Most of the current medications – donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)and galantamine (Reminyl) – can temporarily improve or stabilize thesymptoms of dementia, but once you stop your prescription, you’lldeteriorate rapidly and within six weeks you will be no better than someonewho has never taken the drug.What all this adds up to is that Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the vastmajority of cases of dementia, is preventable. What is equally clear is thatthere is no drug that can do anything except, at most, briefly delay thedebilitating symptoms. The nutritional approach, however, could play a rolebeyond the preventative, as valuable as that is. It may also reverse earlysigns of memory and mental impairment without any associated side effects.If this proves to be so in ongoing trials, the nutritional approach shouldcertainly be the first port of call for anyone with memory problems.WHAT WORKSTest your homocysteine level. If you have a relative whose mental gears arestarting to slip, make sure they have a simple memory test, just to get ameasure of the situation, plus a homocysteine test, which is the bestindicator of risk. If their (and in fact, your) homocysteine level is above9 units and there are any signs or symptoms of memory problems, we recommendsupplementing with a homocysteine- lowering formula. This should providevitamin B6 (20 to 100mg), B12 (100 to 500mcg), and folic acid (1,000 to2,000mcg) a day or, better still, take an all-round homocysteine- loweringformula containing TMG and B2 as well. N-acetyl-cysteine (500mg a day).Alternatively, choose a homocysteine formula incorporating a special form ofB12, methyl B12, which works best.Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommendsupplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two tothree times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental healthis likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.Increase your antioxidants. To ensure you are getting the proper types andamounts of antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and vegetables with a variety ofcolours. Think blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, red cabbage,sweet potatoes, carrots and so on – antioxidants such as the anthocyanidansfound in red and purple fruit and vegetables are powerful and highlyefficient at scavenging free radicals. On top of this, supplement 2,000 mgof vitamin C a day, taken in two divided doses, plus 400iu (300mg) ofvitamin E, as part of an all-round antioxidant that containsN-acetyl-cysteine and/or reduced glutathione.Stay mentally and physically active. Keep learning new things and using yourmind, and exercise at least three times a week. Even walking 15 minutes aday makes a difference.Dig deeper by reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs for all theevidence to support this approach, and its comparitive effectiveness andsafety compared to the conventional treatment of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by Patrick Holford with ShaneHeaton and Deborah Colson.WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTORAsk your doctor to measure your homocysteine level (or you can measure yourown homocysteine level with a home test [link to homocysteine testresources]. If your level is high, you should take a supplement with Bvitamins as well as zinc, TMG and NAC, and top up daily with plenty ofB-rich fruit and green, leafy vegetables.What if your doctor draws a blank or needs convincing? Show them theevidence: either lend them a copy of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan byPatrick Holford, or refer them to the work of Oxford’s Optima Project or theAlzheimer’s Research Trust.If you, or a relative of yours, is prescribed Aricept, monitor changes intheir memory. If it makes no difference, there’s little point in taking thisdrug.

 

Sent from - a smarter inbox.

[Guest guest]



Oh yes - it's important.

 

Jo

 

-

Peter VV

Friday, January 18, 2008 9:00 PM

Re: B12 and Alzheimers

 

 

 

Still on the soapbox?...

Peter H

 

 

jo <jo.heartwork Sent: Friday, 18 January, 2008 6:58:15 PM B12 and Alzheimers

 

Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement.. ..JoFood is Medicine Approach for Memory Loss and AlzheimersFOOD OR DRUGS? THE VERDICTEvery year in Europe, a million people are diagnosed with memory decline,and 400,000 of them go on to be diagnosed with dementia. If you are over 35,it’s time to think about Alzheimer’s. As strange as this may sound, we nowknow that it takes approximately 40 years to develop Alzheimer’s and thereare no obvious signs, except perhaps a minor deterioration in memory andconcentration, for at least the first 20 years of the disease process. Manypeople think of this as ‘getting old’, but you can age without excessivememory loss.Most of the current medications – donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)and galantamine (Reminyl) – can temporarily improve or stabilize thesymptoms of dementia, but once you stop your prescription, you’lldeteriorate rapidly and within six weeks you will be no better than someonewho has never taken the drug.What all this adds up to is that Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the vastmajority of cases of dementia, is preventable. What is equally clear is thatthere is no drug that can do anything except, at most, briefly delay thedebilitating symptoms. The nutritional approach, however, could play a rolebeyond the preventative, as valuable as that is. It may also reverse earlysigns of memory and mental impairment without any associated side effects.If this proves to be so in ongoing trials, the nutritional approach shouldcertainly be the first port of call for anyone with memory problems.WHAT WORKSTest your homocysteine level. If you have a relative whose mental gears arestarting to slip, make sure they have a simple memory test, just to get ameasure of the situation, plus a homocysteine test, which is the bestindicator of risk. If their (and in fact, your) homocysteine level is above9 units and there are any signs or symptoms of memory problems, we recommendsupplementing with a homocysteine- lowering formula. This should providevitamin B6 (20 to 100mg), B12 (100 to 500mcg), and folic acid (1,000 to2,000mcg) a day or, better still, take an all-round homocysteine- loweringformula containing TMG and B2 as well. N-acetyl-cysteine (500mg a day).Alternatively, choose a homocysteine formula incorporating a special form ofB12, methyl B12, which works best.Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommendsupplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two tothree times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental healthis likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.Increase your antioxidants. To ensure you are getting the proper types andamounts of antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and vegetables with a variety ofcolours. Think blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, red cabbage,sweet potatoes, carrots and so on – antioxidants such as the anthocyanidansfound in red and purple fruit and vegetables are powerful and highlyefficient at scavenging free radicals. On top of this, supplement 2,000 mgof vitamin C a day, taken in two divided doses, plus 400iu (300mg) ofvitamin E, as part of an all-round antioxidant that containsN-acetyl-cysteine and/or reduced glutathione.Stay mentally and physically active. Keep learning new things and using yourmind, and exercise at least three times a week. Even walking 15 minutes aday makes a difference.Dig deeper by reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs for all theevidence to support this approach, and its comparitive effectiveness andsafety compared to the conventional treatment of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by Patrick Holford with ShaneHeaton and Deborah Colson.WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTORAsk your doctor to measure your homocysteine level (or you can measure yourown homocysteine level with a home test [link to homocysteine testresources]. If your level is high, you should take a supplement with Bvitamins as well as zinc, TMG and NAC, and top up daily with plenty ofB-rich fruit and green, leafy vegetables.What if your doctor draws a blank or needs convincing? Show them theevidence: either lend them a copy of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan byPatrick Holford, or refer them to the work of Oxford’s Optima Project or theAlzheimer’s Research Trust.If you, or a relative of yours, is prescribed Aricept, monitor changes intheir memory. If it makes no difference, there’s little point in taking thisdrug.

 

Sent from - a smarter inbox.

[Guest guest]

For omega-threes, flax seed is the vegan option. I put ground flax

seed on my oatmeal -- very tasty.

 

 

At 6:58 PM +0000 1/18/08, jo wrote:

>Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement....

....

>Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommend

>supplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two to

>three times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental health

>is likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,

>doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.

[Guest guest]

We had got into the habit of doing that - but have forgotten recently. It

is quite tasty but very sticky.

 

Jo

 

-

<yarrow

 

Saturday, January 19, 2008 5:37 AM

Re: B12 and Alzheimers

 

 

> For omega-threes, flax seed is the vegan option. I put ground flax

> seed on my oatmeal -- very tasty.

>

>

> At 6:58 PM +0000 1/18/08, jo wrote:

> >Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement....

> ...

> >Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommend

> >supplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two to

> >three times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental

health

> >is likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,

> >doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.

>

>

> To send an email to -

>

[Guest guest]



Oh yes - it's important.

 

Jo

 

-

Peter VV

Friday, January 18, 2008 9:00 PM

Re: B12 and Alzheimers

 

 

 

Still on the soapbox?...

Peter H

 

 

jo <jo.heartwork Sent: Friday, 18 January, 2008 6:58:15 PM B12 and Alzheimers

 

Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement.. ..JoFood is Medicine Approach for Memory Loss and AlzheimersFOOD OR DRUGS? THE VERDICTEvery year in Europe, a million people are diagnosed with memory decline,and 400,000 of them go on to be diagnosed with dementia. If you are over 35,it’s time to think about Alzheimer’s. As strange as this may sound, we nowknow that it takes approximately 40 years to develop Alzheimer’s and thereare no obvious signs, except perhaps a minor deterioration in memory andconcentration, for at least the first 20 years of the disease process. Manypeople think of this as ‘getting old’, but you can age without excessivememory loss.Most of the current medications – donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)and galantamine (Reminyl) – can temporarily improve or stabilize thesymptoms of dementia, but once you stop your prescription, you’lldeteriorate rapidly and within six weeks you will be no better than someonewho has never taken the drug.What all this adds up to is that Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the vastmajority of cases of dementia, is preventable. What is equally clear is thatthere is no drug that can do anything except, at most, briefly delay thedebilitating symptoms. The nutritional approach, however, could play a rolebeyond the preventative, as valuable as that is. It may also reverse earlysigns of memory and mental impairment without any associated side effects.If this proves to be so in ongoing trials, the nutritional approach shouldcertainly be the first port of call for anyone with memory problems.WHAT WORKSTest your homocysteine level. If you have a relative whose mental gears arestarting to slip, make sure they have a simple memory test, just to get ameasure of the situation, plus a homocysteine test, which is the bestindicator of risk. If their (and in fact, your) homocysteine level is above9 units and there are any signs or symptoms of memory problems, we recommendsupplementing with a homocysteine- lowering formula. This should providevitamin B6 (20 to 100mg), B12 (100 to 500mcg), and folic acid (1,000 to2,000mcg) a day or, better still, take an all-round homocysteine- loweringformula containing TMG and B2 as well. N-acetyl-cysteine (500mg a day).Alternatively, choose a homocysteine formula incorporating a special form ofB12, methyl B12, which works best.Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommendsupplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two tothree times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental healthis likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.Increase your antioxidants. To ensure you are getting the proper types andamounts of antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and vegetables with a variety ofcolours. Think blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, red cabbage,sweet potatoes, carrots and so on – antioxidants such as the anthocyanidansfound in red and purple fruit and vegetables are powerful and highlyefficient at scavenging free radicals. On top of this, supplement 2,000 mgof vitamin C a day, taken in two divided doses, plus 400iu (300mg) ofvitamin E, as part of an all-round antioxidant that containsN-acetyl-cysteine and/or reduced glutathione.Stay mentally and physically active. Keep learning new things and using yourmind, and exercise at least three times a week. Even walking 15 minutes aday makes a difference.Dig deeper by reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs for all theevidence to support this approach, and its comparitive effectiveness andsafety compared to the conventional treatment of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by Patrick Holford with ShaneHeaton and Deborah Colson.WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTORAsk your doctor to measure your homocysteine level (or you can measure yourown homocysteine level with a home test [link to homocysteine testresources]. If your level is high, you should take a supplement with Bvitamins as well as zinc, TMG and NAC, and top up daily with plenty ofB-rich fruit and green, leafy vegetables.What if your doctor draws a blank or needs convincing? Show them theevidence: either lend them a copy of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan byPatrick Holford, or refer them to the work of Oxford’s Optima Project or theAlzheimer’s Research Trust.If you, or a relative of yours, is prescribed Aricept, monitor changes intheir memory. If it makes no difference, there’s little point in taking thisdrug.

 

Sent from - a smarter inbox.

[Guest guest]

dang

got this three times on friday..and once today......

jo Jan 19, 2008 4:44 AM Re: B12 and Alzheimers

 

 

 

 Oh yes - it's important.

 

Jo

 

-

Peter VV

Friday, January 18, 2008 9:00 PM

Re: B12 and Alzheimers

 

 

 

Still on the soapbox?...

Peter H

 

 

jo <jo.heartwork > Sent: Friday, 18 January, 2008 6:58:15 PM B12 and Alzheimers

 

Yet another reason to eat fortified foods daily or take a supplement.. ..JoFood is Medicine Approach for Memory Loss and AlzheimersFOOD OR DRUGS? THE VERDICTEvery year in Europe, a million people are diagnosed with memory decline,and 400,000 of them go on to be diagnosed with dementia. If you are over 35,it’s time to think about Alzheimer’s. As strange as this may sound, we nowknow that it takes approximately 40 years to develop Alzheimer’s and thereare no obvious signs, except perhaps a minor deterioration in memory andconcentration, for at least the first 20 years of the disease process. Manypeople think of this as ‘getting old’, but you can age without excessivememory loss.Most of the current medications – donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)and galantamine (Reminyl) – can temporarily improve or stabilize thesymptoms of dementia, but once you stop your prescription, you’lldeteriorate rapidly and within six weeks you will be no better than someonewho has never taken the drug.What all this adds up to is that Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the vastmajority of cases of dementia, is preventable. What is equally clear is thatthere is no drug that can do anything except, at most, briefly delay thedebilitating symptoms. The nutritional approach, however, could play a rolebeyond the preventative, as valuable as that is. It may also reverse earlysigns of memory and mental impairment without any associated side effects.If this proves to be so in ongoing trials, the nutritional approach shouldcertainly be the first port of call for anyone with memory problems.WHAT WORKSTest your homocysteine level. If you have a relative whose mental gears arestarting to slip, make sure they have a simple memory test, just to get ameasure of the situation, plus a homocysteine test, which is the bestindicator of risk. If their (and in fact, your) homocysteine level is above9 units and there are any signs or symptoms of memory problems, we recommendsupplementing with a homocysteine- lowering formula. This should providevitamin B6 (20 to 100mg), B12 (100 to 500mcg), and folic acid (1,000 to2,000mcg) a day or, better still, take an all-round homocysteine- loweringformula containing TMG and B2 as well. N-acetyl-cysteine (500mg a day).Alternatively, choose a homocysteine formula incorporating a special form ofB12, methyl B12, which works best.Up your omega-3s. To help reduce brain inflammation, we recommendsupplementing with omega-3 fish oils, as well as eating oily fish two tothree times a week. The ideal amount for maximizing memory and mental healthis likely to be in the region of 300mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA daily,doubling this if you have age-related memory decline.Increase your antioxidants. To ensure you are getting the proper types andamounts of antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and vegetables with a variety ofcolours. Think blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, red cabbage,sweet potatoes, carrots and so on – antioxidants such as the anthocyanidansfound in red and purple fruit and vegetables are powerful and highlyefficient at scavenging free radicals. On top of this, supplement 2,000 mgof vitamin C a day, taken in two divided doses, plus 400iu (300mg) ofvitamin E, as part of an all-round antioxidant that containsN-acetyl-cysteine and/or reduced glutathione.Stay mentally and physically active. Keep learning new things and using yourmind, and exercise at least three times a week. Even walking 15 minutes aday makes a difference.Dig deeper by reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs for all theevidence to support this approach, and its comparitive effectiveness andsafety compared to the conventional treatment of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Also read The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan by Patrick Holford with ShaneHeaton and Deborah Colson.WORKING WITH YOUR DOCTORAsk your doctor to measure your homocysteine level (or you can measure yourown homocysteine level with a home test [link to homocysteine testresources]. If your level is high, you should take a supplement with Bvitamins as well as zinc, TMG and NAC, and top up daily with plenty ofB-rich fruit and green, leafy vegetables.What if your doctor draws a blank or needs convincing? Show them theevidence: either lend them a copy of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Plan byPatrick Holford, or refer them to the work of Oxford’s Optima Project or theAlzheimer’s Research Trust.If you, or a relative of yours, is prescribed Aricept, monitor changes intheir memory. If it makes no difference, there’s little point in taking thisdrug.

 

Sent from - a smarter inbox.

 

 

 

 

 

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Confucius