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In general, the American Alzheimer's Association has a negative attitude towards alternative treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. This is mostly based on the lack of approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although some therapies have been used for centuries in other countries, especially India and China, they are discouraged because they have not been subjected to clinical trials in the USA. Quoting the USA Alzheimer's Association: "Several herbal remedies and other dietary supplements are promoted as effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases. Claims about the safety and effectiveness of these products, however, are based largely on testimonials, tradition, and a rather small body of scientific research. The rigorous scientific research required by the FDA for the approval of a prescription drug is not required by law for the marketing of dietary supplements." However, the fact remains that many people prefer to use natural remedies in preference to manufactured chemical medicines produced and marketed by huge corporations which seem to put their own financial interests first, rather than the patient's health. Comment by the author (Doug Anderson) of this page: I find it remarkable that the Alzheimer's Association says "Claims about the ... effectiveness of these products ... are based largely on testimonials, tradition,...". In other words, just because it has worked for hundreds or thousands of years doesn't mean we like it. Talk about closed minds!  TurmericTurmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, which is native to tropical South Asia. It is also often misspelled (or pronounced) as tumeric. It sometimes also known as kunyit in some Asian countries. Its rhizomes are boiled for several hours and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a spice in curries and other South Asian cuisine, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments. Its active ingredient is curcumin and it has an earthy, bitter, peppery flavor. Turmeric has found application in canned beverages, baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, biscuits, popcorn-color, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, gelatins, etc. It is a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders. Turmeric (coded as E100 when used as a food additive) is used to protect food products from sunlight. In combination with annatto (E160b), turmeric has been used to color cheeses, dry mixes, salad dressings, winter butter and margarine. Turmeric is also used to give a yellow color to some prepared mustards, canned chicken broths and other foods (often as a much cheaper replacement for saffron). In the Ayurvedic medicine (India), turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in India use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts and burns. Whenever there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder. Ayurvedic doctors say it has fluoride which is essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent. It is taken in some Asian countries as a dietary supplement, which allegedly helps with stomach problems and other ailments. It is popular as a tea in Okinawa, Japan. It is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer and liver disorders. Turmeric, under the name Avea, is becoming popular to treat depression. It is only in recent years that Western scientists have increasingly recognised the medicinal properties of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal titled, "Common Indian Spice Stirs Hope," research activity into curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is exploding. Two hundred and fifty-six curcumin papers were published in the past year according to a search of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Supplement sales have increased 35% from 2004, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has four clinical trials underway to study curcumin treatment for pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer's, and colorectal cancer. A 2004 UCLA-Veterans Affairs study involving genetically altered mice suggests that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, might inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and also break up existing plaques. "Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory in a variety of ailments as part of Indian traditional medicine," Gregory Cole, Professor of medicine and neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said. Another 2004 study conducted at Yale University involved oral administration of curcumin to mice homozygous for the most common allele implicated in cystic fibrosis. Treatment with curcumin restored physiologically-relevant levels of protein function. Anti-tumoral effects against melanoma cells have been demonstrated. Curry Pharmaceuticals, based in North Carolina, is studying the use of a curcumin cream for psoriasis treatment. Another company is already selling a cream based on curcumin called "Psoria-Gold," which shows anecdotal promise of treating the disease. A recent study involving mice has shown that turmeric slows the spread of breast cancer into lungs and other body parts. Turmeric also enhances the effect of taxol in reducing metastasis of breast cancer. Curcumin is thought to be a powerful pain-relieving agent. In the November 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a study was published that showed the effectiveness of turmeric in the reduction of joint inflammation, and recommended clinical trials as a possible treatment for the alleviation of arthritis symptoms. It is thought to work as a natural inhibitor of the cox-2 enzyme, and has been shown effective in animal models for neuropathic pain secondary to diabetes, among others. source: Wikipedia Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) , or ubiquinone, is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels. Levels of CoQ10 in the body can be increased by taking CoQ10 supplements, although it is not clear that replacing "low CoQ10" is beneficial. CoQ10 has been used, recommended, or studied for numerous conditions, but remains controversial as a treatment in many areas. Promising preliminary evidence from human research suggests that CoQ10 supplements may slow down, but not cure, dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. Additional well-designed studies are needed to confirm this result before a firm recommendation can be made. Preliminary studies in patients with muscular dystrophy taking COQ10 supplements describe improvements in exercise capacity, heart function, and overall quality of life. Additional research is needed in this area. There is promising human evidence for the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Better-designed trials are needed to confirm these results. Preliminary evidence suggests that CoQ10 does not affect blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and does not alter the need for diabetes medications. source: Mayo Clinic One of the theories of impaired memory involves lack of oxygen utilization by the brain, a function that is supported by Coenzyme Q10. The research which has been conducted on Coenzyme Q10 suggests that sufficient Coenzyme Q10 must be administered for a long enough period (usually 4-12 weeks), to achieve results, which is consistent with a buildup of enzyme activity. For instance, 60 mg of Coenzyme Q10 was administered for 6 months, along with vitamin B-6 and iron, to a 49 year old woman with Alzheimer's disease, who had a one year history of progressive memory impairment. It's believed that electron activity is reduced in Alzheimer's patients, and the lack of energy fuel may be implicated in furthuring development of the tangles seen on the nerves in Alzheimer’s (Neurology 1990;40:1302-03). Co-enzyme Q10, of course, supports the production of electron activity and delivery of energy fuel to the nerves. Post-treatment, there was increased blood flow in the brain, faster alpha wave activity, and, "her mental state improved to almost normal after 6 months of therapy...symptoms progressed with cessation of the therapy and improved with its resumption" (Wilkinson EG et al. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1975;12:111). source: HealthQuest Ginkgo BilobaGinkgo Biloba is a plant extract containing several compounds that may have positive effects on cells within the brain and the body. Ginkgo Biloba is thought to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to protect cell membranes, and to regulate neurotransmitter function. Ginkgo has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and currently is being used in Europe to alleviate cognitive symptoms associated with a number of neurological conditions. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (October 22/29, 1997), Pierre L. Le Bars, MD, PhD, of the New York Institute for Medical Research, and his colleagues observed in some participants a modest improvement in cognition, activities of daily living (such as eating and dressing), and social behavior. The researchers found no measurable difference in overall impairment. Results from this study show that ginkgo may help some individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, but further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms by which Ginkgo works in the body. Also, results from this study are considered preliminary because of the low number of participants, about 200 people. Few side effects are associated with the use of Ginkgo, but it is known to reduce the ability of blood to clot, potentially leading to more serious conditions, such as internal bleeding. This risk may increase if Ginkgo Biloba is taken in combination with other blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin and warfarin. Currently, a multicenter trial with about 3,000 participants is investigating whether Ginkgo may help prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. source: Alzheimer's Association (USA) Huperzine AHuperzine A (pronounced HOOP-ur-zeen) is a moss extract that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Because it has properties similar to those of FDA-approved Alzheimer medications, it is promoted as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The botanical has been used in China for centuries for the treatment of swelling, fever and blood disorders. Recently, in clinical trials in China, it has demonstrated neuroprotective effects. It is currently being investigated as a possible treatment for diseases characterized by neurodegeneration – particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Huperzine A has attracted the attention of Western medical science. It has been found to be an inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This is the same mechanism of action of pharmaceutical drugs such as Galantamine and Donepezil used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Clinical trials in China have shown that Huperzine A is comparably effective to the drugs currently on the market, and may even be a bit safer in terms of side effects. Currently, the National Institute on Aging is conducting a Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficiency of Huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a randomized controlled trial of its effect on cognitive function. Recently, it has also been investigated for its effectiveness against epilepsy in an initial 20-person clinical study by Harvard University neuroscientists examining its worth and side effects in those who are not satisfactorily treated by existing pharmaceuticals. source: Wikipedia Omega-3 Fatty AcidsOmega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. Research has linked certain types of omega-3s to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. Research has also linked high intake of omega-3s to a possible reduction in risk of dementia or cognitive decline. The chief omega-3 in the brain is DHA (DocosaHexaenoic Acid), which is found in the fatty membranes that surround nerve cells, especially at the microscopic junctions where cells connect to one another. DHA is most often found in fish oil, and can be extracted from algae. A study found that preterm infants fed baby formulas fortified with DHA derived directly from algae gained weight faster than infants fed formula fortified with DHA from fish oil. Additionally, there are no risks of harmful contaminants such as methyl mercury or dioxins, which are present in fish and fish oils. This is especially important for pregnant and nursing women and young children. DHA is a major fatty acid in sperm and brain phospholipids, and especially in the retina. Dietary DHA can reduce the level of blood triglycerides in humans, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. Low levels of DHA cause reduction of brain serotonin levels and have been associated with ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and depression, among other diseases, and there is mounting evidence that DHA supplementation may be effective in combating such diseases. Manufactured DHA is a vegetarian product extracted by a patented process from algae, but costs approximately twice as much as fish oil. Both are odorless and tasteless after processing. source: Wikipedia Vitamin EVitamin E (Tocopherol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is an important antioxidant. In foods, the most abundant sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils such as palm oil, sunflower, corn, soybean and olive oil. Nuts, sunflower seeds, seabuckthorn berries and kiwi fruit, and wheat germ are also good sources. Other sources of vitamin E are jerry hoss, fish, peanut butter, and green leafy vegetables. Fortified breakfast cereals are also an important source of vitamin E in the United States. Although originally extracted from wheat germ oil, most natural vitamin E supplements are now derived from vegetable oils, usually soybean oil. "Megadoses" of Vitamin E are not recommended by many government agencies, due to a possible increased risk of bleeding. Two meta-analyses have concluded that synthetic and semisynthetic vitamin E supplements increase mortality, although these meta-analyses have been challenged by the nutrition literature. However, studies focusing on efficacy of Vitamin E combined with other antioxidants, like zinc and vitamin C, indicate a protective effect against the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the United States and the developed world among people 65 years and older. It has been shown that vitamin E alone does not attenuate the development or progression of AMD. An observational trial conducted by The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health found that, when vitamin E is taken daily in large doses (400-1000IU) in combination with vitamin C (500-1000mg), the onset of Alzheimer's was reduced between 64 and 78%. In May 2005, The Lancet Neurology published a study suggesting that vitamin E may help protect against Parkinson's disease. Individuals with moderate to high intakes of dietary vitamin E were found to have a lower risk of Parkinson's. No conclusion was drawn about whether supplemental vitamin E has the same effect, however. source: Wikipedia Coral calcium“Coral” calcium supplements have been heavily marketed as a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses. Coral calcium is a form of calcium carbonate claimed to be derived from the shells of formerly living organisms that once made up coral reefs. In June 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed a formal complaint against the promoters and distributors of coral calcium. The agencies state that they are aware of no competent and reliable scientific evidence supporting the exaggerated health claims and that such unsupported claims are unlawful. Coral calcium differs from ordinary calcium supplements only in that it contains traces of some additional minerals incorporated into the shells by the metabolic processes of the animals that formed them. It offers no extraordinary health benefits. Most experts recommend that individuals who need to take a calcium supplement for bone health take a purified preparation marketed by a reputable manufacturer. source: Alzheimer’s Association (USA) |
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