Definition
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most extreme type of senile dementia. It is a progressive, degenerative illness that attacks the mind, leading to impaired memory, reduced intellectual and emotional functioning, and ultimately total bodily breakdown. Within the United States, it affects nearly 10% of those over the age of 65 and nearly 50% of adults over the age of 85.Alzheimer’s was initially identified in 1907 by German neurologist Alois Alzheimer who, throughout postmortem examinations, found irregular formations of plaque on nerve endings and tangles of nerve fibers within the mind tissue of people who had exhibited signs of senile dementia.
The progression of Alzheimer’s is characterized by numerous modifications that take place within the brain’s biochemistry, structure and nerves. Nerves within the Alzheimer’s patient’s mind die, thus severing essential links between the two sections within the mind (the forebrain and hippocampus) responsible for cognitive thinking and memory.
Signs
Sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease might experience sadness, fatigue, forgetfulness, disorientation, and aggressive or paranoid conduct. Usually, Alzheimer’s is characterized by progressive memory reduction (short-term and long-term), a decline in vocabulary and sentence comprehension, repetitive questions, problems understanding numbers, spatial and time disorientation, forgetfulness, and an impaired capability to speak fluently.
It should be noted that doctors frequently misdiagnose much less pronounced types of senile dementia as Alzheimer’s. Some homeopathic specialists estimate that as many as 40% of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, don’t, in reality, have the illness.
Two treatable conditions which are capable of leading to senile dementia are frequently confused with Alzheimer’s—pernicious anemia (a blood illness marked by a progressive reduction in red blood cells, muscular weakness, and gastrointestinal and neural disturbances) and cerebral vascular insufficiency (a lack of blood flow to the brain because of constricted arteries). Other illness’s that are often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s are: Severe stroke, Parkinson’s Disease (an illness in which the tissues that usually create the neurotransmitter dopamine die off, resulting in a reduction of muscle control), Huntington’s chorea (a hereditary illness within the central nervous system characterized by progressive dementia and rapid, jerky motions), thyroid problems, brain tumors, and head injuries. Drug reactions, environmental poisons, heavy metals, dietary deficiencies, allergies, candidiasis, severe alcoholism, meningitis, syphilis, and AIDS may also mimic signs of Alzheimer’s.
Trigger of Alzheimer’s Disease
Possible Alzheimer’s triggers are heavy metal poisoning, environmental influences, genetics, hormone imbalances, impaired bloodstream circulation, and dietary deficiencies.
Aluminum: Alzheimer’s victims tend to have higher amounts of aluminum within their brain but we don’t yet know if this could be considered a cause. Aluminum toxicity can occur via inhalation (by factory workers in particular industries) and by oral ingestion. It has been suggested and debated that aluminum ions might filter into the human body through the use of aluminum cooking utensils, cans, and foil, as well as underarm deodorants, antacid pills, and other common household items.
Environmental Influences: Poisons and chemical substances that leak into food, the air and tap water such as carbon monoxide, solvents, aerosol sprays, and industrial chemicals can trigger signs of mental dysfunction that might result in an inaccurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or senile dementia.
Genetic Tendencies: Researchers have found a feasible genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s illness. Although genetics is most likely not the sole trigger, it might be the largest and most influential factor. Scientists believe that a genetic mutation might force the irregular manufacturing of amyloid proteins or their precursors, which can ultimately lead to the formation of plaque within the mind.
Hormone Imbalances: The hormone melatonin performs a function within the synchronization of mind tissue and, as a potent antioxidant, protects brain tissue from free-radical harm. Every day concentrations of melatonin seem to decline in those that have Alzheimer’s.
Cortisol, a hormone released as a response to stress, plays a large role in the development of Alzheimer’s. Although some cortisol is required for correct mind performance, chronic exposure to toxic ranges of cortisol can kill mind tissue. Cortisol damages the nerve tissues within the hippocampus and blocks their ability to soak up bloodstream sugar (glucose), leading to sluggish responses. Brain scans of Alzheimer’s sufferers display that the temporal and frontal lobes have a reduced capability to soak up glucose.
Caution: Studies carried out at the University of Pittsburgh and Yale University discovered, after conducting autopsies on Alzheimer sufferers, that between 7-11% of all instances had been because of Mad Cow Disease.
Impaired Bloodstream Circulation: There is very possibly a strong link between heart illness, decreased blood flow to the mind, and the onset of Alzheimer’s. According to Dr. Khalsa, a medical physician from Tucson, Arizona, 77% of Alzheimer’s sufferers have cardiovascular illness. More than 85% of individuals sixty- five and older who suffer from coronary artery disease also had brain plaque formation comparable to Alzheimer’s. It is intriguing to note that the Alzheimer’s-like plaque appears to clear following coronary artery surgery, suggesting the possibility of the causal relationship, although it hasn’t been conclusively confirmed.
Mercury: Postmortem examination of brain tissue from Alzheimer’s victims has also indicated the presence of higher than normal amounts of mercury. Reactions to high amounts of mercury within the body can range from nervousness and melancholy to suicidal tendencies and extreme neurological illnesses such as severe sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s illness (a syndrome marked by muscular weak points and atrophy due to the degeneration of motor neurons), and Alzheimer’s. Mercury steel fillings also produce small electrical charges. The electrical charge produced by metals within the mouth forces the metal out of the fillings and therefore makes it easier for the metal to enter the bloodstream.
Dietary Deficiencies: Decreased ranges of particular nutritional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids happen to be tentatively linked with Alzheimer’s, which includes folic acid, niacin (supplement B3), thiamin (supplement B1), nutritional vitamins B6, B12, C, D, and E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and tryptophan.
The mind functions via the transmission of chemical messenger molecules (neurotransmitters)!!! These neurotransmitters can have far-reaching results in distant areas with the physique. Efficient transmission of impulses is dependent upon correct pH (acid-alkaline stability) and also the presence of the selection of vitamins (nutritional vitamins, minerals, amino acids), hormones, and neurotransmitters. If any vitamins are lacking or present in imbalanced proportions, mind performance will most likely be adversely impacted and an individual will display numerous signs generally connected with dementia.
Organic Cures
Ayurvedic Medication: The Ayurvedic herbs triphala and gotu kola when combined, can enhance brain cell performance. The herb macunabrure may also enhance circulation, therefore providing the mind with the oxygen and important vitamins it needs to maintain healthy function. Ayurvedic physicians also employ particular dietary regimens in accordance to patients’ particular doshas, or metabolic needs.
Biological (Holistic) Dentistry: The objective of this therapy would be to stabilize the chemistry within the physique and enhance oxygen circulation in the bloodstream. Removing fillings will be the initial step in this multidisciplinary method for treating Alzheimer’s and senile dementia. During the procedure, Vitamin C is given intravenously to boost the immune system and calm tension within the body. Silver fillings are replaced with fillings tested for biocompatibility. Once the metal fillings are removed, cleansing is performed to eliminate residues of mercury along with other poisons. Mercury poisoning is recognized as a serious danger but it only accounts for one small part of the procedure.
Diet plan: Eating the correct foods can help enhance the mind and prolong the onset of Alzheimer’s. Eat a diet that is high in proteins, complex carbohydrates (not simple sugars with the standard quick meals diet plan), and wholesome fats. The optimum mind diet plan minimizes the intake of: processed meals (monosodium glutamate or MSG and aspartame are two meals additives which are confirmed neurotoxins), and genetically engineered or refined ingredients (sugars and flour). Consume plenty of organic fruits and vegetables and avoid alcohol and nicotine because these measurably lower brainpower.
The high quantity of proteins within the diet plan is essential, because numerous mind chemical messengers such as serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, are partially manufactured from the protein we eat.
A complete eating plan offers wholesome quantities of fiber, antioxidants, and other essential vitamins for powerful brain function. A healthy diet stabilizes pH (an acidic atmosphere inhibits neuron perform), normalizes bloodstream sugar ranges, and stops insulin resistance. This is essential because hypoglycemia (reduced bloodstream sugar) triggers the body’s tension response, causing the production of cortisol.
Natural Medication: Ginkgo Biloba can enhance circulation and improve psychological capability. This herb may also be effective for treating issues associated with cerebral circulation, neurotransmission (the energetic impulse of nerve tissue), neuron membrane lesions brought on by free radicals, and neuron metabolism threatened by lack of oxygen. It is a good herb to use regularly for improving vascular problems and to assist in enhancing mood for individuals experiencing early signs of cognitive memory loss.
Psychological and Physical Exercise: Physicians discovered long ago that muscle tissue wastes away with disuse. Neuroscientists have now discovered that the mind also starts to waste away after neglect. The time period between ages 60-80 is very important in determining the degree of psychological degeneration that will occur. Although most 60-year-olds display small cognitive decline, by age 80 it’s uncommon to discover people functioning on the exact same mental level as they had been 20 years earlier. This decline is far from inevitable—however, continually studying and solving issues stimulates the mind and prevents it from becoming “rusty.” Psychological stimulation to help keep the mind young includes: Performing basic math, discussing news headlines, solving crossword puzzles, playing music, playing video games, engaging in some artistic endeavor, or even going to movies.
Crossword puzzles can help exercise the mind as an individual has to recall info and phrases that are no longer at their fingertips. Jigsaw puzzles assist a person’s spatial sense. Even square dancing can assist, because it demands an individual determine the dance steps needed to complete a complicated motion.
Physical exercise may also decrease memory loss. Aerobic conditioning has been discovered to enhance psychological perform by 20%-30%, by increasing bloodstream circulation and aiding in new nerve development. Although it can’t stop Alzheimer’s, physical exercise appears to have the ability to delay it, possibly by decreasing other dangerous elements that trigger the onset of Alzheimer’s, such as toxin accumulation, higher blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. It might also stop amyloid plaques from being deposited around nerve tissue within the mind, thought to be a main cause of Alzheimer’s.
Dietary Supplementation: Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) is an essential supplement in the fight against Alzheimer’s. This amino acid (protein constructing block) simultaneously boosts brain power, mood and decrease the results of age-associated memory loss. Standard dosage: Two divided doses every day.
B-Complex Nutritional vitamins: The B-complex nutritional vitamins are essential for wholesome nerve performance. Women using oral contraceptives especially need to supplement with Vitamin B to relieve tension. The B vitamins are water-soluble, and are therefore not stored within the body. These vitamins should only be taken on a full stomach. If taken on an empty stomach, nausea, pain and vomiting may occur.
Vitamin C: Concentrations of vitamin C are fifteen times greater in the mind than in any other part of the body, which shows its importance for brainpower. Vitamin C extends the life of Vitamin E and is required for the manufacturing of a number of key mind chemical substances, which includes acetylcholine and dopamine. It’s essential to take supplement C in staggered doses all through the day, because the physique can only absorb 500 mg at a time. If you take too much vitamin C at once you may experience diarrhea.
Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 is essential for the regeneration of healthy tissue and may enhance the signs of Alzheimer’s in some sufferers. CoQ10 improves cardiovascular health and blood flow to the mind. As a potent antioxidant, it helps to keep the nerve tissue free of brain-damaging ingredients. Standard dosage: one hundred mg every day.
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). DHA is a long-chain fatty acid discovered in fish, egg yolks, and marine algae, and is the predominant omega-3 fatty acid in brain tissue. Because the mind is dependent on dietary fatty acids, reductions in food containing DHA within the diet plan might contribute to degenerative modifications within the nervous system. Dietary sources consist of fish (tuna, salmon, sardines), red meats, organic meats, and eggs. Standard dosage: 500-1,500 mg every day.
Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble antioxidant that promotes stable cell membranes and minimizes harm towards the mitochondria, the cell’s power producer. Vitamin E traps free radicals, interrupting the chain response that damages brain tissue. Standard dosage: 400-800 IU every day.
Phosphatide Choline: Phosphatide choline is the main structural and functional component of brain-cell membranes. Without this chemical, brain tissues undergo degenerative modifications. The mind demands choline to create acetylcholine, a chemical that performs an important function in memory. Phosphatide choline is derived from choline and lecithin; organic sources consist of eggs, soybeans, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, nuts, and wheat germ. Standard dosage: 1 tablespoon of lecithin offers 250 mg of choline or supplement with one, 200 mg of phosphatide choline, 2-3 times per day.
Phosphatide Serine (PS). Phosphatide serine is a fat molecule found in trace quantities in lecithin and derived from soybeans. Although the mind usually produces PS, if the diet plan is deficient in important fatty acids, folic acid, or supplement B12, PS manufacturing might be blocked. PS performs an essential function in maintaining the integrity of brain-cell membranes. Perhaps most substantial is its capability to lower stress hormones such as cortisol, which harm the brain and lead to the accumulation of calcified plaques within the mind. Standard dosage: one hundred mg 3 times daily.
Stress: In the short term, stress impairs a person’s capability to pay attention, focus, and effortlessly recall info. Nevertheless, the long-term results of stress are much more extreme because they accelerate the aging and trigger mind degeneration.
Meditation offers substantial advantages by inhibiting the release of cortisol and lipid peroxidase (a marker for free-radical exercise) and growing ranges of DHEA. Lowered cortisol ranges and enhanced memory capabilities have been documented in those we meditate.
Relaxation methods alone might not have the ability to reverse Alzheimer’s illness, but some techniques for stress relief help to slow the onset. Any technique that successfully disengages the body’s fight-or-flight response inhibits excessive cortisol manufacturing and helps to guarantee optimum mind longevity. Diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, physical exercise, guided imagery, and also the use of essential oils are just a couple of examples of methods available to soothe the body and calm the mind.
Conventional Chinese Medicine: To slow the onset of Alzheimer’s during the early stages, a mixture of Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, nutrition, and a physical exercise program can assist to slow the progression of the illness.
Scalp acupuncture can clear pathways where plaque has accumulated and alleviate several issues connected with Alzheimer’s. Other remedies include use of the herbs ginseng, dong quai, and ho-shou-wu to improve vitality and mobility.
Optional Skilled Care
The following treatments are suggested for treating Alzheimer’s and senile dementia: Ayurvedic Medication, Biofeedback Training, Neurotherapy, Biological (Holistic) Dentistry, Chelation Treatment, Cleansing Treatment, Environmental Medication, Natural Medication, Guided Imagery, Magnetic Field Treatment, Naturopathic Medication, Oxygen Therapies, and conventional Chinese Medicine. (Please see Resources for further information on these Alternative Treatments).