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Brain Savers

November 9th 2008 19:52
When it comes to matters of the brain and its health, I enjoy reading katyzzz's informative entries. She does do extensive research on the matter and is helping me out in the process. My father died of dementia and a friend's grandmother died with alzheimers, so when katyzzz had this breaking news, I was overjoyed. The only disappointing, sort of, news about the blood test is that it can only predict the onset of alzheimers two to six years before the symptoms. I think you need a test that can predict it from birth, but still this is great news to those who may get it.


From katyzzz entry:

A German government study used ginkgo biloba daily for 3 months on patients with early Alzheimer's and discovered that the patients had improved memory, attention and mood.

Other natural therapies some doctors are using are as follows:

* Folate, or vitamin B9, is important to the nervous system. Folate, along with other B vitamins, help eliminate homocysteine from the blood.

* Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and a scavenger of free radicals. A 2-year study showed that Alzheimer's patients who took vitamin E supplements had improved symptoms as compared to those who took a placebo. Vitamin E is fat soluble and readily enters the brain where it is thought to slow cell damage.

* Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) is used as a brain tonic and reduces stress hormone levels. Take according to recommendation on product label.

* DHEA is a hormone used to help cognitive function. If levels are low in the body, the doctor may start a patient on 15 mg.

* A good antioxidant will help fight free radicals.


* Chlorella aids in the detoxification process of heavy metals.

I also am a firm believer in niacin, or vitamin B3. You want good antioxidants in a pill form. Century Silver, not just for the 50 anymore!

What really got me thinking was Ashwagandha. "What the heck is that?", I thought. I never heard of it before. You really have to love the internet! From the article:
For years, Indians have prescribed ashwagandha as a treatment for cerebral disorders in the elderly, including memory loss. Scholars from the University of Leipzig looked at the effects of ashwagandha on the brain. They dosed rats with ashwagandha and then looked at their brains to see if ashwagandha affected neurotransmitters. The research showed that ashwagandha led to more acetylcholine receptor activity. The scholars concluded that the increase of activity in that particular neurotransmitter could account for the increase in cognitive ability and memory that is attributed to ashwagandha.

Seems like I have gained a bit of knowledge on something I should have been using years ago. Thanks, katyzzz!
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Comment by katyzzz

November 9th 2008 21:46
Thanks, signals, but these things are riddled with complexity, many maintain it is better to get the mix of essential vitamins and minerals in your food, rather thatn in supplements.

This is a great blog you have here.

Comment by signals

November 9th 2008 22:21
Thanx katyzzz. I've always been a firm believer in getting any nutritional supplement from a food source. Most of my folic comes from leafy veggies used in salads. Vitamin E from almonds. Most antioxidins from berries and fruits.

The others such as ginko, dhea, chlorella, ashwagandha, are hard to come by without supplements. Bottom line for me is something even a supplement is better than nothing.

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