Alzheimer's dementia.

Alzheimer's is a challenging disorder that affects the lives of million's of people. It is thought to affect 15 million people worldwide.(1) Exactly what causes Alzheimer's is not known but it is thought to be due to oxidative damage of areas in the brain (1-6) causing cell death(1).

This means that nerve cells in the brain are damaged by certain chemicals that are produced as part of energy production in the cell. These chemicals are called free radicals.

This cell damage can be due to a number of reasons.

There may not be enough of things called antioxidants that protect the cells from damaging chemicals(7-9). Sometimes there can be toxicity arising from copper or aluminium.

Cholinergic drugs are often used to treat Alzheimer's(5). It is reasonable to suggest that supplementing diets with choline may also help raise acetylcholine levels.

Multiple antioxidants are likely to have a protective effect(1-6) from the damaging effects of free radicals and thus help slow down the progression of Alzhiemer's. However, like all degenerative conditions, prevention is much better than a cure. If you have a family history or are in a higher risk group for Alzheimer's, contact us see what we can do to prevent the condition developing.

Please note the information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified health care practitioner.

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1. Pratico D, Delanty N. Oxidative injury in diseases of the central nervous system: focus on Alzheimer's disease . Am J Med 2000 Nov;109(7):577-85
2. Rosler M, Retz W, Thome J, Riederer P. Free Radicals in Alzheimer's dementia: currently available therapeutic strategies. J Neural Transm Suppl. 1998;54:211-9
3. Kedar NP. Can we prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease? J Postgrad Med. 2003 Jul-Sep;49(3):236-45
4. Prasad KN, Cole WC, et al. Multiple antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease: analysis of biologic rationale. Curr Opin Neurol. 1999 Dec;12(6):761-70
5. Prasad KN, Hovland AR, et al. Multiple antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: analysis of biologic rationale. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2000 Jan-Feb;23(1):2-13
6. Wang JY, Wen LL, Huang YN, Chen YT, Ku MC. Dual effect of antioxidants in neurodegeneration: direct neuroprotection against oxidative stress and indirect protection via suppression of glia-mediated inflammation. Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(27):3521-33
7. Kedar NP. Can we prevent Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease? J Postgrad Med. 2003 Jul-Sep;49(3):236-45
8. Prasad KN, Cole WC et al. Multiple antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease: analysis of biologic rationale. Curr Opin Neurol. 1999 Dec;12(6):761-70
9. Wang JY, Wen LL, Huang YN, Chen YT, Ku MC. Dual effect of antioxidants in neurodegeneration: direct neuroprotection against oxidative stress and indirect protection via suppression of glia-mediated inflammation. Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(27):3521-33