Can any body recommend herbal or other naturopathic remedies for

[Cleita]

memory loss? I have been diagnosed with a condition that could lead to Alzheimers and my neurologist has prescribed pills that are supposed to slow down the process. But they are so expensive that right now I can't afford them anymore with food and gas going through the roof. I'm not renewing the prescription when I run out of them. Frankly I resent paying so much to big PHRMA anyway. I know those pills cost a third of what I'm paying in other countries. However, if I can find something to substitute for them, and it works, I may not need them in the long run.

[Sanity Claws]

1. I recommend chinese medicine

They use acupuncture, herbs and diet to remedy problems. I don't know what they do for your particular situation but it's worth a try.

[Celebration]

12. Great idea!! n/t

[crikkett]

35. mind the cost

not to be a naysayer but alternative health procedures can add up to a pretty penny.

[Delphinus]

2. Wow, Cleita!

That has to be scary!

I have nothing to add other than I hold you in loving energy as you face this challenge. May you find an avenue of healing that works wonderfully for you.

[Cleita]

15. To tell the truth of all the end stage diseases that I could have

ended up with, I wasn't prepared for this one. The thought of losing my mind is really scarier to me than any cancer or other wasting disease that I could have gotten. But I guess the universe decides our fate and we must cope with it.

[demgrrrll]

3. Can you tell me the name of the medication or would you rather not.

I think I have an idea.

[Cleita]

13. It's called Namenda.

The doctor tried Aracept (also very pricey) but I had a violent allergic reaction to it.

[tigervalentine]

40. I don't know what you're paying

but it is available from Canadian pharmacies. Here's one link (could be cheaper at others) so that you can compare prices:

http://www.canadadrugs.com/search.php?keyword=namenda

[Why Syzygy]

4. I've had improvements

using ginseng. The B vitamins are important too, and lecithin. I'll think about it and post something more if anything else occurs to me.

I know what you mean about Rx$$. I can't afford the one medicine that gives me relief from constant pain.

[WhiteTara]

10. w/o intruding

what is your pain? I have just discovered pom extract and oil for osteoarthritis in my hands. I can feel a big difference.

[Why Syzygy]

18. That's okay...

Fibromyalgia. Celebrex relieves the pain AND improves my mood, even though the medical profession will tell you there isn't anything in it to lift mood. A prior therapist suggested that when the pain is gone, I just naturally feel elevated.

What is pom extract? For temporary relief, I use Jason's tea tree "cooling mineral gel". Most nights I have to rub it on my arms and legs. I'm willing to try anything.

[WhiteTara]

20. wow! that's tough

my sympathies are with you.

[Cleita]

19. I got some ointment from the tribal gift shop up in Sitka Alaska that is made

from a forest plant called "bears claw" that I used on my osteoarthritis. I found it as effective as any medication that you get at the drug store. I know there has to be stuff out there that native people have been using but that we have forgotten about because our medical institutions discourage us from using home remedies.

[WhiteTara]

5. gingko biloba

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo_biloba
comes to mind. Don't expect overnight changess. All herbs require time.

This site has some great info
http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show=article&page=8_1228.htm

this one takes more research
http://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net/category.php?cat=IQ

another Chinese herb
http://curingherbs.com/memory-enhancing_Brain_Tonic.htm

Good luck with all of this. Take up some brain excercising as well. Cross word puzzles, sudoku, quantum physics :)

[Lindsey]

6. I'm so sorry to hear that. Folic Acid is a amino acid that I've heard

can be effective. Also, they say that doing mind games (like cross word puzzles) help to keep the mind active.

[Sanity Claws]

8. Folic acid is a B vitamin (B-9?), not an amino acid

Could you be thinking of something else?

[Why Syzygy]

7. Gingko!

That's the one I couldn't think of. It's better than ginseng. I could tell a real difference.

[WhiteTara]

9. ginseng is sort of an all round tonic

to rev up the system.

[Celebration]

11. maaaaybe

This is a very good supplement, but you might need it in large amounts, which could get a little pricey, too--

NADH --you have to take it first thing in the morning and then wait to eat--30 min. or so?

There are some studies linked here--

http://www.nadh.com/

Would do COQ10 and essential fatty acids like cod liver oil.

There is a book out about someone beating Alzheimer's disease naturally.

I feel that you can beat this!!

[Cleita]

14. Thanks everyone for all the information.

It gives me something to start researching and maybe work up a plan. I don't know if my doctor will approve but I don't see how she can force me on medication that I can't afford to buy anymore.

[Celebration]

16. Vitamin D!!!

Ask your doctor--I would get a blood level done, maybe. Vitamin D is usually low in Alzheimer's and there may be reason to believe that it could help. More people in northern areas (low sunlight) get Alzheimer's Disease. I think it would probably take a lot of Vitamin D, but not "too" much, you know?

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=566695

[Cleita]

17. Well sunshine isn't something we are low in here in California

and I spend a lot of time outdoors in the garden, but there could be a reason that maybe I'm not absorbing vitamin D. I should look into it.

[Celebration]

22. vitamin D is the new "it" vitamin--probably with reason

This is what got my attention from the article--

A small observational study by UW researchers published online last month showed a significant association between low levels of vitamin D in the blood of Alzheimer's patients and poor performance on a cognitive test.

The study was prompted after family members of the Alzheimer's patients reported how well they were performing and acting within weeks of being put on large doses of prescription vitamin D, said lead author Robert Przybelski, an associate professor of geriatric medicine at UW.

"We hypothesize that good vitamin D levels might prevent or mitigate the disease," Przybelski said.

The study noted that neurons, like many other cells, have vitamin D receptors. It said vitamin D might enhance levels of important brain chemicals and that it also might help protect brain cells

and the body has conversion factors to make vitamin D from sunlight--they could be deficient in the elderly

Although sun exposure can produce huge amounts of vitamin D, the elderly make only about 25% as much of the vitamin D in their skin as a 20-year-old who is exposed to the same amount of sunlight.

I remember in the health group one time I posted a really good online video about Vitamin D. Right now I only have slow dialup this weekend. When I get home I will try to look it up for you. You probably won't get any definitive studies on using vitamin D in Alzheimer's. But the possibilites look more than intriguing. According to some experts we are all deficient. I think it might be worthwhile contacting the doctor at UW mentioned in the article. Or maybe your doctor can contact him.

[crikkett]

36. Calcium too!!!!

Vitamin D is nothing without calcium. Calcium helps your body use sunlight to convert D.

[juajen]

21. Cleita, I have read that aspirin is good for memory loss, and I take

it every day for blood thinning to prevent stroke and heart attack, so I believe it is a miracle medicine. In low doses, it has also helped the inflation in my intestines caused by chron's disease. That and distilled water have kept me off medication and in remission for over 10 years. Good luck.

[Cleita]

26. I have been taking asprin for the obvious blood thinning

benefits. I have noticed I'm not getting worse so I don't know whether it's the pills or the asprin that's helping, maybe both.

I'm so sorry you suffer from Chrons disease. That has to be tough.

[MagickMuffin]

23. At one time I was taking Choline Chloride for improving my memory

I took the liquid form as I had researched it had a better intake value. It tasted awful but it worked. This was when I was studying acupressure and other Chinese systems of healing. I passed all my exams.

I can't speak for the info below because I haven't tried their products, but I thought I would include it for your benefit.

Choline Chloride, concentrations of which are found in the tissues of the nervous system, is necessary for brain function, the synthesis of neurotransmitters, and for the building and maintenance of acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine, in turn, aids sleep, memory, and the thought processes; it also helps control movement.

Because our Choline production decreases with age, it can lead to memory loss, and impaired learning and cognitive skills.

Choline Chloride and Health

Choline, by increasing the brain’s stimulation barriers, lets the brain filter out minor noises, so may be helpful in reducing sleep problems. And it may enhance problem-solving skills and concentration.

Choline also helps, especially in post- menopausal women, maintain moist mucous membranes. Choline works with Inositol to emulsify fats, making it less likely that they will be deposited on the walls of the arteries, or in the gall bladder.

Phosphatidyl choline transports fats to cells so they can either be used by the body, or excreted.

Choline chloride, taking during pregnancy, may increase the unborn infant’s life-long ability to learn and pay attention, and its memory capacity. Could choline work for ADHD children?

Choline may also aid in treating liver disease and high cholesterol, depression, memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and asthma. And it is an anti-inflammatory.

Those who do strenuous exercise, because choline is used io metabolize of fats, may drastically reduce their choline levels, as the body draws energy from its fat reserves.

A choline deficient diet may result in increased rates of cancer, especially liver carcinoma.

Choline works best if it is taken with folic acid; folic acid reduces the need for choline in methylation, and the less choline that is used for methylation, the more choline is available to be used by the nervous system.

Xtend-life Natural Products makes a wide variety of supplements. Their signature product Total Balance, is an all-in-one supplemental capsule containing over seventy needed nutrients.

Total Balance has the sufficient folic acid to give maximize the benefits of Choline Chloride. It is available in three formulas; one for men, one for women, and a unisex formula. We and our family members use the unisex version, which choline chloride.

All Xtend-life’s supplements are developed by a scientist, and manufactured under pharmaceutical GMP compliance--the world’s strictest standards for the making of dietary supplements.

Every batch of Xtend-life supplements is given a certificate of analysis--“COA”--guaranteeing its potency. And, to maximize their therapeutic benefits, they contain only standardized herbal extracts, which contain the active ingredients of the herbs.

Customers we have recommended are nearly always happy with the supplements saying they felt results almost immediately after beginning a regimen of supplements. Although the products are shipped from New Zealand, they have timely delivery and reasonable shipping costs. They also appreciate the generous money back guarantee of one year, with a full refund and no questions asked policy.

Most of the customers to whom we have recommended Xtend-life supplements have reported that they experienced health benefits almost immediately. They are also pleased with Xtend-life’s timely delivery and reasonable shipping costs, even though most of their products are made in New Zealand. And they are especially impressed with Xtend-life’s money-back guarantee, which offers a one-full-year, no-question-asked, full refund.

The product we personally use called Total Balance, which contains choline Chloride - http://www.natural-nutritional-health-supplement.com is the best supplement we have come across. We have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent health results.

We highly reccomend you learn more about our best natural nutritional supplement if you are interested in improving your overall health.

John Gibb runs a series of health websites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter. We cover everything you need to know on nutrition and how to improve your general overall health. Check out our nutrition e-book, for more information on our nutrition book.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Choline-Chloride-Nutrition&id=436194

Here are some more links:

This link is for the liquid

http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item00541/Choline-Chloride.html

This link is SIDS Initial Assessment Report: it is 135 page report

http://www.inchem.org/documents/sids/sids/67481.pdf

[Celebration]

24. Here, this article kind of sums things up

http://www.ihop-net.org/UniPub/iHOP/pm/12150659.html?pmid=16828233

The above link mentions a lot of the things recommended in this thread, and more.

The insulin resistance is HUGE for Alzheimer's Disease. I had forgotten about that. Are there indications that you might be insulin resistant? This is different really from having diabetes. It just means you are having to pour out huge amounts of insulin to normalize blood sugars, because your insulin receptors are not working right. The doctor should be able to tell. A tipoff is if you are apple shaped--gain weight in your middle.

Cinnamon is one thing that can help that, which is why it is mentioned in the article. It also mentions cholesterol--if that is your problem then the policosanol could be tried. Vitamin D is mentioned as well, and folic acid, etc.

I think I would get someone who does applied kinesiology to evaluate some of these supplements to see what you need. That way you won't waste a lot of money on things you don't need. It could be you need very large amounts of one thing, and small amounts or zero of another. Do you know any NAET practitioners? Some are MDs, and some are chiropractors. It could be that insurance would take care of part of this. They know muscle testing (and should know it well!)

Yes, I muscle test all my supplements. You could even use a pendulum to get yes/no answers on supplements--or find someone that can do that, if you can't afford a NAET practitioner.

I realize that I have answered this a few times but I take a particular interest in medical issues. Also I have family members that have had Alzheimer's Disease.

[Shallah Kali]

25. Rosemary retards the breakdown of acetylcholine - here are a few links

Here is a link to the section on Alzheimer's in my favorite herb book 'The Green Pharmacy' by James Duke who is a retired ethnobotinist.
http://books.google.com/books?id=KRx6bcLE3T8C&pg=PA40&lpg=PA40&dq=james+duke+alzheimers+herbs&source=web&ots=vNTSBv2jgU&sig=b1tocOx0Kb2uuVazEUzU3zXR7HE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA38,M1

Sorry to not provide more direct links now but I am on my old pc which runs slower than a molasses as my newer one is still on the fritz.

http://www.mothernature.com - go to the Library there as it has the entire text of about a dozen herb and natural remedy books including the entire text of The Green Pharmacy.

http://books.google.com - many books offer excerpts so if you use the search function you can collect more info on the herbs and nutrients suggested to you. I reccomend looking partcularly at herbs with a long history of use as culularnary herbs so you know they are most likely safe to use and ones tested by good research such as Germany's Commission E report.

Reiki_On http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Reiki_On I also suggest learning Reiki if you haven't been attuned as it is a very simple laying on of hands healing technique. Some main stream docs even are OK with it for helping relieve stress in patients. Reiki_On will attune anyone to Reiki levels 1 & 2 for FREE plus there is a healing list in the Database section where you can enter your name for members of the list to send to you. Also if you have any family or friends interested in Reiki send them a link to the list to learn as well so you can exchange treatments :)

[Cleita]

27. Thanks!

There's a lot here for me to educate myself on. I knew you guys would have many good answers.

[Shallah Kali]

29. Directlink to the MotherNature.com library and another thought

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/index.cfm

Look up studies at Medline through NIH http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/

Herbalgram
http://www.herbalgram.org/

If you can get your doc to do it it might be good to check all your vitamin levels. If you are not absorbing enough nutrients for some reason such as a food sensitivity or lack of digestive enzymes that will make it that much harder for your body to try to repair itself. I sometimes take a multiple b complex subligual liquid which while it doesn't have them all I still see quite a jump in alertness if I use it. Unfortunatly for me it has sorbitol in it which does not agree with my digestion so I can't use it often. The next time I order vitamins I am going to try a new brand of tablet that has the methyl form of b-12 and that does not have any of the things I am sensitive to and see if I can stand the taste enough to try to use it as a sublingual.

One more thing in case you don't already know it - when searching google and most other search engines uses quotes to find words as an exact phrase. Also use + to get words found near each other on the same page. example Alzheimer's +"ginkgo biloba" or "ginkgo biloba" +"commission e"

also to search a specific site on google type site:http:// etc. then add your search terms such as site:http://www.herbalgram.org alzheimer's +rosemary

[Straight Shooter]

42. About acetylcholine

Cleita, I don't know all the proper scientific terms, but if you'll forgive my mentioning a canine analogy, my vet prescribed a product called Cholodin to help my dog because Cholodin helps the nerves to communicate better, and somehow acetylcholine is involved in that process.

MVP Labs makes Cholodin for dogs, and maybe they make a comparable product for humans, also. Their web site is www.mvplabs.com, their number is 402-331-5106, and their e-mail address is [email protected] They are located in Omaha. I called them to talk about the Cholodin product and they were extremely helpful in answering questions.

In case you're wondering, yes, it did help my 16-year-old dog. She is more alert now. It isn't very expensive, about $20 per month.

Best of luck and blessings in your search to find something to help you.

[DemExpat]

28. Not to forget Omega 3's in fish oil

Last week I just researched nutrition/supplements for the aging brain and memory and many of the ideas noted above were all mentioned.

My list came out to be headed with these:

Research these linked with memory preservation:

Omega 3 fish oil and eating fresh (wild) oily fish 2x a week
Cinnamon
turmeric
Gingko
Ginseng
B vitamines
antioxydants in certain berries/fruits/veggies

All the best, Cleita,

DemEx

[NuttyFluffers]

31. video games, salads, curry, and stir fry

sardines, pumpkin seeds, avocados, and walnuts are good sources of many great fats. you can never go wrong with more salads. and all those spices in the world obviously have been doing something right all these years.

i also recommend video games because they often force the brain to remember things for short term memory. i recommend this unlike just crossword puzzles, while although good, mainly focus on long term memory of vocabulary. you really want to keep the short term memory active -- use it or lose it! -- and video games give immediate reward and feedback from good short term memory usage and problem solving.

[Cleita]

37. Actually dealing with my new digital cellphone has been a challenge as

I keep forgetting which buttons do what let alone video games. I might try some easy ones though for a start.

[NuttyFluffers]

38. buying a Gameboy DS and some brain games would be the easiest route

Gameboy DS is portable and can play both DS games as well as older Gameboy Advanced and Gameboy games. there's quite a lot of brain games on that system as well. check out Brain Age and Big Brain Academy as a start. throw in something else that looks entertaining and you're good to go.

[yellerpup]

30. Dancing (like ballroom) and crossword puzzles would help

in addition to supplements recommended. Formalized dancing (take group lessons, they're cheaper!) is better than other exercise because you are forced to remember the ritual. NY Times crosswords are always a challenge. (Well, not Mondays!) Keep reaching out and talking to others and don't become isolated. Good luck to you.

[Celebration]

32. You would be interested in this Health thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=222x39892

[Cleita]

33. Thanks for the link.

That is interesting, but if big PHRMA gets its hands on the patents, can they overcharge for this medication too?

[Celebration]

34. hard to say

Depends on whether it is patentable. It looks like it is an old drug. But I am not sure if it has been approved for anything in the USA. One thing--it seems that targeting the amyloid placque is NOT cutting it. Drugs and supplements need to target the tau protein. So that is at least a clue for you. And perhaps there is some way that you could actually get this drug now, from overseas. I bet it is cheap now, if it is available.

There are programs set up by pharmaceutical companies to help people with limited resources buy the drugs they need. The thing is, though, the current Alzheimer's drugs are not particularly effective.

[japple]

39. Eluthero, Schisandra, Rhodiola

I recently read an article on herbs for anti-aging in the AARP magazine (of all places). These were the ones that mentioned helping with memory.

Eleuthero is the new name for Siberian ginseng in the United States. It is different from both American ginseng and Panax ginseng. They are not interchangeable.

Eleuthero is used widely in eastern Asia as a tonic to enhance overall well-being. Like members of the Panax (true ginseng) family of plants, eleuthero is considered to be an "adaptogen", a substance that may help individuals cope with physical and emotional stress. Overall body stabilizers, adaptogens are believed to have a number of general effects that help protect cells from damage due to environmental conditions. Studies of eleuthero's possible actions in animals and humans do show that it may have some positive effects. For instance, chemicals in eleuthero produced moderate reductions in blood cholesterol levels for individuals in a small clinical study. It also decreased blood sugar in experimental animals. However, the type of eleuthero used to lower both cholesterol and blood sugar was an injectable form not available outside of Asia.
In other animal research, eleuthero may have helped to improve memory and concentration through protective effects on nerve cells. In some studies, eleuthero also increased the amounts of certain neurotransmitters in the brains of laboratory animals. Neurotransmitters are natural body chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. Decreased levels of specific neurotransmitters are associated with conditions such as depression and Parkinson's disease.
Eleuthero also appears to boost immune system function slightly by increasing the activity of immune system cells. In laboratory studies, various chemicals found in eleuthero have also shown some antiviral and anticancer properties, but these effects have not been well studied in humans. Although eleuthero is also thought to increase the capability to do physical work, results from several studies on physical performance are inconclusive. Work capacity appeared to increase for some study participants but actually decreased for others. All of eleuthero's possible effects need to be studied further before its use can be recommended.

Rhodiola

Promising "second-generation" adaptogen Rhodiola rosea (Russian Rhodiola) is a perennial plant with red, pink, or yellowish flowers. It has no biological relation to the "common" rose, but due to its similar fragrance it has been used as a substitute for Attar of Roses. One of the greatest things Rhodiola does is enhance mental and physical performance. It has been widely used by Russian athletes and cosmonauts to increase energy. Rhodiola is cardio-protective, normalizing the heart rate immediately after intense exercise. It improves the nervous system and mental functions such as memory, by increasing blood-supply to the muscles and brain, and it also increases protein synthesis (1,3,4). Rhodiola rosea has extraordinary pharmacological properties as an anti-mutagen and anti-depressive agent.

Schisandra

Taking a cue from the Chinese, now even the herbal practitioners in the West have begun to realize the medicinal value of schisandra. They have hailed the herb as an effective ‘adaptogen’, a mediator that helps in enhancing the body’s defiance against diseases, anxiety, stress, and weaknesses as well as many other devastating physical conditions. Now scientists as well as physicians emphasize that ‘schisandra is highly beneficial in enhancing energy levels, refill and nurture the viscera, perk up eyesight, improve the activities of the muscles and also influence the energy cells throughout the body’. So much so, that one company marketing herbal medicines containing schisandra has claimed that their product can also prevent untimely aging. And another company claims that is product prepared from the herb not only enables people to lead a healthy and energetic life, but also increases their existence!

[sam sarrha]

41. turmeric is a proven inhibitor... and cheap. find an Indian grocery store, 1/2 pound for a few dolla...

i take a teaspoon a day.. doesn't taste like much in a glass of water, i put a lot in rice and everything

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=turmeric+prevents+alzheimer%27s&spell=1

[blondie58]

43. well, as usual- I am a day late and a dollar short to this post!

My first thought was of ginkgo. I thought that I had remembered a German study that tried this on Alzheimer patients with success. My first google was not successful, but check out this study- http://bellowingbantam.blogspot.com/2008/07/brain-boosting-herbs-memory-sharpeners.html

I also have a condition which can affect your memory and cognitive abilities and it is frightening. I am trying to keep my brain as active as I can, although I still have my number of "senior" moments, probably just due to age.

Good luck, though!

[Ecumenist]

44. Hello Cleita...Have you ever heard of Huperzine A and B?

Both are extracts of club moss and have been clinically proven to work against Alzheimer's and other types of memory deficit syndromes. Huperzine A is stronger than Huperzine B but both act against the enzymes responsible for Dementias. Google them to see what they've been proven to do. If I were you, I would check into using a combination of Huperzine A, Rhodiola, Ginkgo, Tumeric, Schisandra and look into Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicines to add to your regimen along with nutrition and vitamin supplements that target the CNS.

I hope this helps.

[Cleita]

45. Thanks.

I'm looking into all these wonderful suggestions very thoroughly.

[Celebration]

46. Cleita---Ibuprofen

Here is someone who responded to Ibuprofen.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=222x41848

You have a lot of good suggestions here--probably too many to act on. I hope you can find someone who can do muscle response testing or use the pendulum to figure out which ones seem to strengthen your energy fields.

[Cleita]

48. I just saw that.

I actually went to the medicine cabinet and took a couple of ibuprofens. LOL I'm sorting through the other suggestions on this thread to try as well. Some of them are not practical for me because of the expense. Also, the next time I go into town I intend on hitting our local Indian deli for some Indian turmeric.

[Dover]

47. Turmeric a promising treatment for Alzheimers

Cleita, that must be scary to get news like that. (((hugs))

Interesting that you've recently posted this, and I've just done the post on Turmeric
because in researching various sites to include in that post I ran across info claiming new evidence that Turmeric is becoming very important to the treatment of Alzheimers.

I'm beginning to wonder what this herb DOESN'T help. I can't imagine what you or anyone would have
to lose by using it (though I've read that it thins the blood, so those on blood thinners
should be cautioned from high doses without doctor's approval).
Maybe you could participate in a study and get your treatments free!


Here are a couple of articles I came across about this subject:


----

This paper discusses the effects of curcumin on patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Curcumin (Turmeric), an ancient Indian herb used in curry powder, has been extensively studied in modern medicine and Indian systems of medicine for the treatment of various medical conditions, including cystic fibrosis, haemorrhoids, gastric ulcer, colon cancer, breast cancer, atherosclerosis, liver diseases and arthritis. It has been used in various types of treatments for dementia and traumatic brain injury. Curcumin also has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of AD. Curcumin as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipophilic action improves the cognitive functions in patients with AD. A growing body of evidence indicates that oxidative stress, free radicals, beta amyloid, cerebral deregulation caused by bio-metal toxicity and abnormal inflammatory reactions contribute to the key event in Alzheimer's disease pathology. Due to various effects of curcumin, such as decreased Beta-amyloid plaques, delayed degradation of neurons, metal-chelation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and decreased microglia formation, the overall memory in patients with AD has improved. This paper reviews the various mechanisms of actions of curcumin in AD and pathology.


http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2008;volume=11;issue=1;spage=13;epage=19;aulast=Mishra


------

Latest research shows that a chemical compound found in turmeric may help beat Alzheimer's, which is a brain disease that impairs memory .

Researchers isolated the compound 'bisdemethoxycurcumin' found in turmeric, which they claimed helps stimulate immune system cells that defend the body against infections and diseases.

It may be possible to infuse this compound into patients and treat the incurable and fatal brain condition, reported the online edition of Sky News.

The study might explain why Alzhimer's disease is so rare in India. turmeric is frequently consumed in India and some other Asian countries as a dietary supplement, which allegedly cures stomach problems and other ailments.

Earlier research has shown that curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric, can help prevent the formation of tumours.

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Milan Fiala of the University of California, Los Angeles and his team said they had shown earlier that curcumin may affect the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients.

Using blood samples from Alzheimer's patients, the researchers found that the antioxidant boosted immune cells called macrophages to clear a protein called amyloid beta, which clogs the brains of Alzheimer's patients and kills brain cells.

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news/Chemical-Compound-in-Turmeric-Helps-to-Fight-Alzheimers-23139-1/


--------


Wishing you light to guide you on this journey.

[Cleita]

49. Hi there.

Hitting our local Indian deli is on my list for the next time I go into town to get some of the Indian turmeric that they sell in their grocery section.

[Sanity Claws]

50. Here's a link for you

Hello, Cleita.
I was looking for something else and came across the Linus Pauling Institute, which studies nutritional suppplements and their effect on health. Here's a link to Alzheimers and various supplements studied - http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/contdis/alzheim.html

I hope that helps.

[Tumbulu]

51. Ginkgo- but you must collect the leaves themselves

I support the other posters great recommendations. I have personally found ginkgo to be helpful, but find the commercial preparations no longer effective for me. This has a lot to do with how popular ginkgo has become and the way it is farmed nowadays, I think. Mostly it is grown on farms in long rows as young plants and the leaves are harvested with cotton picking type machines. This is economical, but I am not convinced that young trees can produce all of the useful compounds that leaves from older mature trees can.

My advice is to find your own tree near you that is large and established and preferably in some sort of good environment (not on the side of a highway, etc). Perhaps in someone's backyard where they are not fertilizing it and using weed killers, etc. The leaves are best collected as they begin to turn yellow- some green and some yellow in the leaves. Let them air dry and pit them in a mason jar. Make a cup of tea with these leaves (perhaps 2-3 leaves per cup) every day. That is it. No cost of buying a supplements, plus the person who has the tree and you may become friends and this is always a good thing. The leaves are only at this point once a year so you have about a month to find your tree.

I am not an herbalist, so if someone more knowledgeable has something to add or correct, please feel free.

[Shallah Kali]

53. Ginkgo must be highly concentrated to get medicinal amounts 50:1 is a common extract

Tho if one wishes to Frontier Coop sells organic and conventional ginkgo leaves by the pound. Many local healthfood stores will carry bulk herbs that you can buy it by the scoop although ginkgo might be harder to find that way. HEre is Frontier's page:
http://www.frontiercoop.com/dspCmnPrd.php?p=b&cn=Ginkgo%20Leaf&ct=hchhaz&br=Frontier

Amazon sells many of Frontier's herbs but their gingko leaves is out of stock right now:
http://www.amazon.com/Ginkgo-Leaf-Cut-Sifted-Organic/dp/B000A44BZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1220362676&sr=8-1

For a possibly more natural concentrate than the usual supplement Eclectic Institute sells wildcrafted freezedried ginkgo:
http://www.vitacost.com/Eclectic-Institute-Freeze-Dried-Ginkgo

I have not used their products so I can't vouch for them. I did buy a bottle of their kava to try when my old bottle of nature's herbs as they were the only one left that I could find that used the whole root and not an extract. I figured that since the people who traditionally used kava only used the root and not a concentrate without reported problems that when I used it I should follow their lead.

[conscious evolution]

52. Some good advice so far

Two more things-
1Kill your TV.I am beginning to suspect that tv is really bad for the brain.If you must have one get a model that projects the images onto a wall or sreen.Same with computer monitors.
2Cut HFCS out of your diet.