Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia, is a progressive form, incurable disease of the brain caused by the degeneration and eventual death of nerve cells in the brain. It affects memory, thinking and behaviour.
Memory impairment in one of the following areas will also be present: language, decision-making ability, judgement, attention, personality and other areas of mental function.
Possible signs and symptoms
During early stages, the symptoms of AD may be subtle and resemble signs that people mistakenly attribute to “natural ageing”. These include:
- Repeating statements
- Misplacing items
- Getting lost on familiar routes
- Personality changes
- Losing interest in hobbies
- Difficulty performing tasks
- Having trouble finding names for familiar objects.
Possible causes
In addition to age and family history, risk factors for AD include: longstanding high blood pressure; history of head trauma; being female; and high levels of homocysteine – a bodily chemical that contributes to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, depression and possible AD.
To reduce AD risk, all persons should be encouraged to engage in activity which stimulates mental activity in all stages of their lives.
Applied nutrition
| Supplement | Benefit | Suggested Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Basic building block and necessary party of living cells in the body. Produces collagen and promotes skin repair, smoothing and softness. | 1 scoop, 2x daily |
| Co-enzyme Q10 | Increase oxygenation of cells and increase generation of cellular energy | 2 tabs, 2x daily |
| Iron + folic acid | Aids controlling homocysteine levels | 1 tab, 2x daily |
| Calcium + magnesium | Sustains nerve integrity, calms the nerves. | 2 tabs, 3x daily |
| Lecithin + vitamin E | Needed to improve memory. Deficiencies of antioxidants expose the brain to oxidative damage. Helps to transport oxygen to the brain cells and protects them from free radical damage. | 2 tabs, 2x daily |
| Multivitamin + minerals + phytonutrients | Provides general nutritional supplementation. | As indicated on packaging |
| B Complex | Important for proper brain function and digestion. Deficiency can cause depression and mental difficulties in people with AD | 2 tabs, 2x daily |
| Omega 3 | These are the brain’s cellular building blocks | 1 tab, 2x daily |
| Ginkgo biloba + ginseng | Assists brain function and concentration. Builds memory. | 2 tabs, 2x daily |
Take honeybee products (honey, propolis) and increased intake of fruits and vegetables.