Natural Supplements Help Alzheimer’s

Degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson have a severe social and economic impact and it is only quite recently that they have been recognised and accorded great attention by mainstream medicine.  This is greatly due to the fact that age is the greatest risk-factor for such conditions and people are simply living longer and becoming susceptible to it.

Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot cure Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s and many sufferers and families undergo an extremely traumatic experience as loved ones are slowly lost to these awful conditions.  However, there is mounting scientific and anecdotal evidence that nutritional supplements can play a key role in the prevention and improvement of these neurological conditions and greatly aid general cognitive improvement.

What happens in the brain affected by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s?

In the normal brain, signals in the form of electrical impulses traverse along nerves from our body to parts of the brain.  The nerve signals bridge gaps (synapse) between the nerve cells (neurons), aided by chemicals known as ‘neurotransmitters’.  Each nerve cell communicates with many others forming networks and the signals communicated are essential not only for brain activities such as memory and language but also for controlling movement.

The diseases are characterised by a gradual reduction in the number of nerve cells, a shrinking of the brain, and cognitive functions progressively worsen as more cells are destroyed.  There is also a reduction in the amount of the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and dopamine, attributing to poor cellular communication.

Inside the nerve cells, ‘tangles’ form, which is a build up of the protein ‘tau’, disrupting the signals cells pass to one another and ultimately ending in the death of the cell.

Another characteristic of the both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease development are ‘plaques’ which accumulate between the cells, again disrupting signals, caused by another protein, ‘beta-amyloid’.  This promotes inflammation and oxidation.

Plaques and tangles form in a predictable pattern, blocking communication amongst nerve cells and disrupting the activities that the cell needs to survive.

Four Plant Extracts Proven to Improve Alzheimer’s

Phospahtidylserine (PS)

Phosphatidylserine is necessary in the brain for effective neurotransmission as it is important for the production of acetycholine, the aforementioned neurotransmitter which sufferers of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have a deficiency of.  It has been proven to improve behaviour, mental function and mood, as was found in a study of 494 elderly individuals who suffered from moderate to severe mental decline, who took 300mg per day for six months. (1)

The FDA allows the claim: “Consumption of phosphatidylserine (PS) may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.”

Phosphatidylcholine (PC)

Phosphatidylcholine has a key role in the maintenance of the cell-membrane integrity.  Strengthening the cell walls is vital as the diseased cells effectively leak choline, and so reduce the production of the neurotransmitter, acetycholine.

PS it is vital to all of the basic biological processes, including the forming of cellular energy and communication within, and between the cells, and plays a crucial role in many of the brains’ processes. (2) 

Oleic Acid (Omega 9 Fatty Acid)

Myelin, the protective sheath that covers the brain cells necessary for communication, is composed of 30% protein and 70% fat. One of the most common fatty acids in myelin is oleic acid, which is crucial for brain development and function as it helps to manufacture and maintain cell membranes.  Scientists have reported that neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s appear to exhibit membrane loss of fatty acids and that oleic acid may help to delay their onset or reduce the damage to the brains’ functions which these diseases elicit. (3) 

The reduction of oleic acid correlates to a decline in the structural and functional integrity of the cells.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavanoid which has strong antioxidant properties.  The build up of plaques indicative in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s which kills brain cells is related to oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.

Clinical research suggests that quercetin showed protective effects against toxicity by modulating oxidative stress and that it may provide a promising approach for the treatment of AD and other oxidative-stress-related neurodegenerative diseases. (4)

Summary

There are dozens or safe, plant extracts which have beneficial properties for nerve cell health and a combination of them can provide broad-spectrum protection against the multiple mechanisms involved in neurological deterioration.  In addition, plant extracts can play an important role in the research of new pharmacological solutions.

(1) Cenacchi T, Bertoldin T, Farina C, et al. Cognitive decline in the elderly: a double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study on efficacy of phosphatidylserine administration. Aging(Milano). 1993;5:123-133.

2. Canty, DJ and Zeisel, SH. Nutr Reviews. 52;327-339, 1994

3. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, July 2000

4. Protective effect of quercetin in primary neurons against Aβ(1–42): relevance to Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, Volume 20, Issue 4, April 2009, Pages 269-275

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