Posted May 1, 2014: by Bill Sardi
Pharmaceutical companies have no promising synthetic drugs in their pipeline for mental decline due to Alzheimer’s disease and even if they did, they would be a decade away from gaining FDA approval. That doesn’t mean that nature doesn’t provide even more promising molecules that are ready for off-the-shelf use.
Researchers indicate aging changes in the brain start 15 years before symptoms of mental decline become apparent. That means the generation of adults approaching their 50th birthday need to use the best available evidence today to maintain independence in their retirement years since they don’t have time to wait for any imagined FDA-approved drugs.
Data from Japan will serve to provide information on the latest developments in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
A recently published report finds two major types of early-onset dementia in Japan: (1) mental decline due to aging of blood vessels (vascular aging) and (2) Alzheimer’s-type memory loss. [Psychiatry Clinical Neuroscience March 2014] Vascular aging affected more people than true Alzheimer’s dementia.
This report was a change from earlier studies that showed Alzheimer’s-type dementia prevailed (67.4%) over vascular (blood-vessel) brain aging (18.9%) in Japan. [Psychogeriatrics June 2012]
Both homocysteine, an undesirable blood protein, and circulating lipoprotein(a) levels are elevated in the vascular form of mental decline (poor blood circulation) and can be used via a blood test to distinguish vascular brain disease from Alzheimer’s type disease. [Aging & Disease April 2013]
It is said the use of B vitamins, known to reduce homocysteine, has failed to produce noticeable mental improvement even though homocysteine levels declined. [Aging & Disease April 2013] But this health writer still believes vitamin B1 still holds promise in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s. [Knowledge of Health]
Lipoprotein(a) is said to take the place of ascorbate (vitamin C) within artery walls when dietary vitamin C intake is low. This writer was the first to report that elevated lipoprotein(a) levels are driven by higher iron storage levels.
Lipoprotein(a) levels are low in cases of iron-deficiency anemia. [Pediatrics International April 1999] Blood letting to reduce iron levels reduces lipoprotein(a). [BMC Medicine May 2012] Iron overload Raises lipoprotein(a). [Free radical Biology Medicine March 1994]
The vascular form of this brain disease appears to respond favorably to supplemental vitamin C and E. [Journal Nutrition Health & Aging April 2012] One study revealed that vitamins C & E users were about 50% less likely to experience mental decline over a 5-year period than non-users. [Dementia Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 2005] Another study reported vitamin C & E users reduced their risk for dementia by a whopping 88%. [Neurology March 2000] It pays to consistently supplement the diet with antioxidants, despite what you may read elsewhere.
The dietary pattern in Japan found to reduce the risk for both types of mental decline included soybeans, vegetables, algae and dairy products with a low intake of rice. [American Journal Clinical Nutrition May 2013] All of these foods contain molecules known to control iron.
There is a growing body of evidence that Alzheimer’s-type mental decline can possibly be prevented or delayed utilizing a natural iron binder or chelator (key-lay-tor).
In 2010 Felix Grases of Spain wrote in Medical Hypotheses that the sleep hormone melatonin inhibits the formation of beta amyloid plaque in the brain that is a hallmark sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Grases says the pineal gland at the base of the brain that secretes melatonin calcifies with advancing age. Melatonin secretion is impaired and not only is duration and quality of sleep reduced but beta amyloid plaque develops.
Dr. Grases described an anti-calcifying molecule called IP6 from rice bran as a natural calcifying agent that can slow or even reverse calcification and facilitate melatonin secretion that inhibits accumulation of beta amyloid plaque. [Medical Hypotheses Jan 2010]
The following year researchers used IP6 (aka phytate) in a lab dish of brain cells and it completely protected against beta amyloid plaque formation. When IP6 was added to drinking water of animals it was found to be a viable inhibitor of beta amyloid plaque. [Journal Alzheimer’s Disease Jan. 2011]
The most recent report involving IP6 cites its ability to inhibit precursors to beta amyloid plaque. The researchers in this study indicate polished rice, which does not provide IP6, does not inhibit beta amyloid plaque formation whereas whole rice does.
Beta amyloid plaques begins to form ~15 years prior to nerve damage develops. The use of IP6 rice bran, available as a dietary supplement, preferably consumed on an empty stomach between meals, may help prevent mental decline with advancing age. [FEBS Open Bio 2014] – ©2014 Bill Sardi, Knowledge of Health, Inc.
Posted in Modern Medicine ; No Comments »
You must be logged in to post a comment.
11
17
52
95
14
24
237
6
56
43
10
116
15
66
105