{"id":724,"date":"2014-10-10T04:08:26","date_gmt":"2014-10-09T16:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/?p=724"},"modified":"2014-10-30T11:26:33","modified_gmt":"2014-10-29T23:26:33","slug":"why-nutritional-supplements-are-essential-to-seniors-brain-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/why-nutritional-supplements-are-essential-to-seniors-brain-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Nutritional Supplements May Be Essential to Senior Brain Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

You know I have been harping on the importance of good nutrition for senior brain health for many years now. We have long known that seniors tend to test low for a variety of important nutrients. But I never knew for sure why. Recently, however, I received a fascinating article from Dr. John Sijben, Director of research at the Centre for Specialised Nutrition, at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. In 2013 doctor Sijben and an elite team of Alzheimer\u2019s researchers from NY, San Francisco and France, conducted an extensive review of Alzheimer\u2019s research and nutrition. Once again they found a strong link between poor nutrition and Alzheimer\u2019s. In their report they note \u201cmany studies have demonstrated that low levels of various nutrients is associated with an increased risk for developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD).\u201d[i]<\/a><\/p>\n

For example, studies have shown an increased risk following <\/span>low consumption of<\/b> specific vitamins including the B vitamins<\/a>, vitamin C, E and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)<\/a>. And numerous US Department of Agriculture studies have shown that for various reasons like soil depletion and processing procedures our food is not as nutrient dense is it was 60 years ago.<\/span>[ii]<\/a> Low consumption and nutrient depletion, however, are not the only reasons for this malnutrition in seniors. Their study revealed at least five other reasons for these deficits.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, <\/span>reduced absorption of nutrients<\/b>. As we age the absorption of nutrients from the gut into the blood can be compromised.<\/a> Their primary example of this is \u201cthe reduced liberation of food-born vitamin B12\u201d seen with aging. Seniors often lack the stomach acids and intrinsic factors needed to break down meats and other proteins in order to extract the B12 contained therein. This is especially the case if they are taking some type of antacid like Prilosec\u00ae, Zantac\u00ae, Nexium\u00ae, Mylanta\u00ae. Maalox, or TUMS. Vitamin B12 <\/a>is essential to brain\u00a0 health. And a lack of B12 is the most common underlying cause to depression and dementia in seniors. (See <\/span>How Digestive Health Affects Mental Health<\/a>.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, <\/span>reduced production\/conversion<\/b> (synthesis) of specific nutrients within the body. Examples are reduced synthesis of DHA and SAMe in the liver of patients with AD. DHA is synthesized from plants high in linolenic acid like flaxseed, walnuts, and spinach. SAMe comes from folate in plants and B12 in fish and animal products and it can be produced in a healthy gut. And again both DHA<\/a> and SAMe are essential to brain cell integrity and health.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Netherlands researchers noted this decline may be attributed to <\/span>age-related decline<\/b> in liver function and accelerated loss of liver function in AD, which may also affect our body\u2019s production of other nutrients like the precursor for phospholipid synthesis, uridine monophosphate. These lipids including serine and choline are also essential to brain cell integrity and function. Higher levels of uridine have been shown to improve memory.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Third, alterations in metabolism. Problems in the body\u2019s ability to metabolize sugars and fats are well documented in the development of diabetes, leading to increased fat storage, reduced energy for thinking, and increased amyloid protein damage leading to Alzheimer\u2019s.\u00a0 However, they note other metabolic problems as well. For example, they note B vitamins (B6, B9 & B12)<\/a> are critical components of one-carbon metabolism essential to maintaining the methylation capacity of cells. If these are lacking, as they often times are in seniors they may have trouble reducing inflammation (homocysteine) in the brain which numerous studies have shown contributes to Alzheimer\u2019s. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fourth, <\/span>decreased transport<\/b>of nutrients into the brain. <\/b>This is typically referred to as vascular insufficiency and can occur anywhere in the brain.\u00a0 They also specifically note \u201cdecreased passage of nutrients <\/span>through the blood brain barrier<\/b> (BBB).\u201d This is the special barrier designed to keep toxins from entering our brain. But as we age, it may begin to allow more toxins in, and like the spam filter on your email, it may filter some important items, i.e. nutrients, out. Examples they give of this are age related decreases in choline uptake into the brain and reduced folate transport over the BBB. Choline is the primary building block of memories.<\/a> Folate is essential for brain cell health and communication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, increased utilization of nutrients<\/b> for AD related processes, i.e. protecting and repairing cells. For example they note that \u201coxidative stress\u201d to brain cells (widely recognized as a contributor to Alzheimer\u2019s) \u201cmay lead to an increased use of antioxidant molecules and therefore cause a disease-specific decrease in their circulating levels.\u201d Which, by the way, serves to perpetuate the disease and cognitive decline.<\/p>\n

In summary, using layman\u2019s terms, they note \u201cthese reductions in absorption<\/a>, synthesis and transport compromise nutrient availability. This may have important consequences as these nutrients are hypothesized to be <\/span>critical\u201d<\/span> in preventing the physically damaging processes of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their Conclusions: \u201cThese observations suggest that AD patients may exhibit hidden deficiencies for specific nutrients, even with normal dietary intake and in the absence of malnutrition. Higher intake<\/strong> may therefore be necessary<\/strong> to compensate for the compromised availability of several nutrients, and to meet their requirement in AD.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For healthy individuals \u201ca future consideration is to investigate nutrient levels and metabolism in presymptomatic AD, when the damaging subclinical changes may not have yet accumulated to an irreversible degree.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What Nutrients Are Most Needed<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0A logical question at this point would be, \u201cSo what are those nutrients required by our body in order to maintain a healthy brain and avoid Alzheimer\u2019s, which are often lacking in aging Americans?\u201d<\/p>\n

Various studies, including this review, have shown that seniors, especially those with Alzheimer\u2019s tend to be critically low in various nutrients, the most common (or most studied) being: vitamins B-12 and folate or folic acid, vitamins C, D and E, the proteins L-carnitine, L-tryptophane, NAC (cysteine), Omega-3 fatty acids, choline, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, endogenous SAMe, uridine, and \u201clikely many more.\u201d<\/span>[iii]<\/a><\/p>\n

Unfortunately there are not many tests readily available to the average doctor for assessing these levels. But there are a few for example. Dr. Perlmutter suggests the following and their parameters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Test \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Problematic \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0what it suggests<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

* homocysteine \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 above 8 umol\/L \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0lack of folic acid or B12<\/span><\/p>\n

* vitamin D \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0below 80 ng\/ml\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 lack of sunshine or vitamin D3<\/p>\n

* C-reactive protein \u00a0 above 3.0 mg\/L\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 lack of antioxidants \u2013 C, E, NAC<\/p>\n

The following tests denote an imbalance in blood sugars which suggest too much sugar or a lack of fiber in the diet, but as a result a person may also lack B vitamins, (especially B1) as well as Omega3 fatty acids, L-carnitine & L-carnosine.<\/span><\/p>\n

* fasting blood glucose\u00a0\u00a0 above than 95 mg\/dl\u00a0\u00a0 too much sugar, not enough fiber<\/span><\/p>\n

* fasting insulin \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0above 8 uIU\/ml \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0too much sugar lack of carnitine<\/p>\n

* hemoglobin AIC \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0less than 4.8 or < 5.4 percent\u00a0\u00a0 sugar imbalance<\/p>\n

* fructosamine\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 less than 188 or < 223 umol\/L\u00a0 sugar imbalance<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a few other observable indicators though less precise.<\/span><\/p>\n

An inability to <\/span>sleep<\/b> suggests a lack of tryptophan and\/or magnesium <\/a>(especially if this is accompanied by muscle cramps).<\/span><\/p>\n

Agitation<\/b> suggests a lack of choline, magnesium<\/a>, folic acid acid, B12<\/a>, SAMe<\/a>, and or Omega3\u2019s.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Low energy or depression<\/b> suggests a lack of B12 and maybe folic acid<\/a>, SAMe<\/a>, antioxidants and possibly magnesium<\/a> and Omega3\u2019s.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Problems with the <\/span>immune system<\/b>, repeated colds or congestion suggest a possible lack of Vitamin D, NAC, selenium and zinc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Memory problems<\/b> suggest a possible lack of any or all of the above.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Can We Do To Protect Ourselves?<\/b><\/p>\n

To be sure you can ask for more specific tests, but as Dr. Laura Paulick points out sometimes it\u2019s less expensive to just try various supplements<\/a>, and see if you feel better. That way you not only know if you were low, but you\u2019ve already applied the\u00a0 remedy! And it doesn\u2019t cost much more as most of these are not expensive to try, and come in forms that are easier<\/a> for an older body to assimilate.<\/p>\n

By the way, at least 30% of adults have difficulty absorbing regular folic acid or B-12. If you suspect this may be the case with you, then ask for \u201cactivated<\/a>\u201d or \u201ccoenzyme\u201d forms of these, or try the Life Extension Complete B supplement<\/a>, or better yet Perceptiv<\/a>\u2122 as this contains an enteric coated B12, as well as folic acid, SAMe<\/a>, NAC, the most readily absorbed forms of L-carnitine (ALCAR) and vitamin E. Accordingly most people who try it note that only do they feel better, but they remember better as well! If you are interested contact me at <\/span>davidrjl@aol.com<\/a> and I will explain how you can obtain that or any other supplement at a 30% discount to try.<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, while good nutrition is essential to brain health, inadequate nutrition is one of, if not the most significant contributors to cognitive decline and Alzheimer\u2019s as we age. So it\u2019s essential that we all pay close attention to their diet, and choose foods high in good nutrition. Ideally in season from local farmers, organic or grow your own.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, a flood of new related research suggests that the right combination of supplements can be of great value in overcoming these nutritional deficits, reducing risk for decline, and improving cognitive function in those who have already declined including the enhancement of mood, memory, good judgment, special abilities and mental agility.<\/span><\/p>\n

——–<\/p>\n

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[i]<\/a> Lopes da Silva, S, Vellas, B, Elemans, J., et. al. \u00a0Plasma nutrient status of patients with Alzheimer\u2019s disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer\u2019s & Dementia 10 (2014) 485\u2013502<\/p>\n

[ii]<\/a> http:\/\/www.immunehealthscience.com\/cysteine.html<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201cThis is because the nutrient content of food has been reduced due to depleted soils, the use of pesticides and herbicides, processing and pasteurization, wholesale farming techniques that require collection of fruits and vegetables when they are not ripe. In many cases months pass before product reaches the shelves in the supermarket. Most vitamins, in fruits and vegetables, only have a shelf life of up to a few weeks after picking\u2026
\nAs for nutrients, it is well documented that processing\/cooking destroys most of them.\u00a0An example is the bonded cysteine molecule in cow’s milk, which is one of the Glutathione precursors, – heat and mechanical stress break it down making this dietary cysteine source useless for building intracellular Glutathione.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

[iii]<\/a>\u00a0 Shea, TB, Remington, R, (2012) Nutrition and Dementia: are we asking the right questions? J Alzheimer\u2019s Disease, in press. See also David Perlmutter, M.D. (2004) The Better Brain Book, Riverhead books;\u00a0 and Mark Hyman, M.D. (2009) The Ultra Mind Solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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You know I have been harping on the importance of good nutrition for senior brain health for many years now. We have long known that seniors tend to test low for a variety of important nutrients. But I never knew for sure why. Recently, however, I received a fascinating article from Dr. John Sijben, Director […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prevention-strategies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=724"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/724\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":749,"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/724\/revisions\/749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4abettermemory.com\/memory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}