New Studies Reveal Supplements That Could Help Prevent Alzheimer's

The causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may continue to be debated for many years to come. But two recent studies remind us that whatever the specific causes of this disease turn out to be, there are supplements you can take today that may dramatically reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's.

Block those radicals

We already know that antioxidants are essential to protecting brain neurons, which are particularly sensitive to free radical damage. And because neuron deterioration is thought to be at least partly responsible for Alzheimer's disease, a research team headed up by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US set out to determine what effects the antioxidant vitamins E and C might have on Alzheimer's risk.

The researchers used data collected from a large Alzheimer's study conducted in northern Utah from 1996 to 1997, with an additional three-year follow-up period. In a group of more than 4,700 subjects, age 65 or older, 304 cases of AD were identified. Because detailed information on vitamin supplement use was recorded for each subject, the researchers were able to reach several revealing conclusions:

• Use of vitamin E and C supplements in combination was associated with a significantly reduced risk of AD
• Use of vitamin E supplements along with multivitamins containing vitamin C also reduced AD risk
• No protective effect was found with the use of either E or C alone, or with multivitamins alone

As most HSI members are probably aware, typical multivitamins don't contain much more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamins E and C, and in both cases the RDA is very low: only 15 IU for vitamin E, and 60 mg for vitamin C. Individual supplements of both vitamins tend to be quite a bit higher, which would help to account for the effectiveness of the vitamins taken alone as opposed to the smaller amounts in multivitamins.

The authors of the study recommend a prevention trial, using a combination of vitamins C and E, and hopefully such a trial will use significant doses of each vitamin.

Half the risk

In a previous e-Alert I told you about a Canadian study that found Alzheimer's patients and elderly patients with various types of dementia all had lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; an omega-3 fatty acid) than subjects with normal cognitive functioning. (Eat More Fish To Lower Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease)

A new study from Tufts University also examines the relationship of DHA to Alzheimer's. Researchers analysed ten years of data taken from more than 1,100 elderly men and women who had participated in the Framingham Heart Study. The impressive results showed that those who had high levels of DHA and who also ate about three fish meals each week, had a 48 percent reduction of AD risk. But the researchers cautioned that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids (primarily from processed foods) could interfere with the potential benefits.

How do you like your fish?

Getting DHA from fish provides other benefits as well. In the past I've told you how dietary sources like walnuts and flaxseed deliver omega-3 fatty acids, but only fish contains both DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). When combined, these two essential fatty acids have been shown to help prevent depression, as well as heart disease, arthritis, influenza, hyperactivity, and even some forms of cancer.

For those who don't feel comfortable eating fish for fear of mercury or other toxins, fish oil and cod liver oil supplements are also good sources of omega-3 EPA/DHA.

Baked or broiled fish for dinner, followed with supplements of vitamins E and C. What could be simpler? Someday that may be the accepted preventive treatment for middle-aged people who want to avoid Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia as they grow older and wiser.