Alzheimer's: Prevent It With Nutrition?

>decline begins can be brain savers.
Research into dietary supplements to preventDr. Julian Whitaker discusses the Alzheimers
Alzheimer s disease has been going on for asituation in his September 2007 Health and
long time with some very promising results. ButHealing newsletter and he doesnt paint a
thats where it ends: Promising results.pretty picture. According to Whitaker, nearly 1 in
Research that produces truly promising results8 of those over 65 and nearly half of those over
usually dies for lack of funding and lack of support85 already have Alzheimers. By mid century, up
by advocacy organizations.to 16 million people will be afflicted. Thats more
September 21 was World Alzheimers Day. Ithan the total population of New York City, Los
didnt hear anything about it in the press, butAngeles and Chicago combined.
its just as well. What would celebrationNow while you still have your cognitive health is
accomplish? Awareness? Walk-athons, and morethe time to take steps to save your brain. There
money pumped into the same type of researchare supplements you can take, if taken in
thats been done for years that hasntadequate amounts that may save you and your
produced anything?family a lot of grief down the road. Dr. Whitaker
In honor of the day, a press release,suggests a daily supplement regimen:
Neutraceuticals offer hope on WorldDHA, 50 mg (3-4 fish oil capsules); Curcumin,
Alzheimers Day suggested its worth900-1,800 mg; Natural vitamin E,800-1,600 IU;
reflecting on the potential of research into foodVitamin C,3,000 mg; Natural beta-carotene,
and dietary ingredients to stave off the disease.15,000-20,000 IU; N-acetyl cysteine NAC),
Could this be good news?500-1,500 mg; Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), 200-400
Research into dietary supplements to preventmg; CoQ10, 200-400 mg; Acetyl l carnitine (ALC),
Alzheimer s disease has been going on for a1,000-2,000 mg; Phosphatidylcholine, 250 mg;
long time with some very promising results. ButPhosphatidylserine, 100 mg; and a good
thats where it ends: Promising results.multivitamin and mineral supplement.
Research that produces truly promising resultsFor many, if not most people, the above list of
usually dies for lack of funding and lack of supportanti-oxidants is forbidding. I cant swallow that
by advocacy organizations.much and I cant afford it are common
It is of interest that the supplements and foodobjections. If we can eat a mouthful of food, we
mentioned in the press release as of possiblecan swallow a handful of supplements a couple at
benefit  vitamin E and the Mediterranean Dieta time. If we have enough money to spend on
are nothing new. What is also of interest in thetrinkets and entertainment, perhaps reorganization
release is there is no mention of the mostof spending priorities is in order.
promising of all supplements  the anti-oxidantsYou can fall prey to conflicting reports about the
alpha lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine,safety and usefulness of supplements or you can
and others.educate yourself and do what you have to do to
There is very encouraging research that indicatesmaintain your cognitive ability. If you dont take
these anti-oxidants, taken well before cognitivecare of yourself, who will?