Stop mental decline with natural supplements
Several years ago, I wrote about galantamine, an extract from the bulbs of lilies and daffodils that helps slow down the damage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The product is sold as a prescription drug (Reminil) and as a non-prescription supplement (GalantaMind).
A common problem among AD sufferers is the inability of the body to stop acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that inhibits acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters carry nerve impulses and aid memory. If acetylcholine is prevented from doing its job by acetylcholinesterase, then your ability to remember is hampered. Galantamine prevents acetylcholinesterase from working!
I've recently come across some research that other natural products are showing promise as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or slowing down AD in other ways.
Licorice, nutmeg and vitamin C work as well as drugs!
Doctors at the Pharmacology Division at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in India tested the seed of the nutmeg tree (which produces the spices nutmeg and mace), licorice and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to determine if they could significantly decrease the activity of acetylcholinesterase.
The researchers gave extracts of all three natural products to mice for anywhere from three to seven days. A control group did not receive these treatments. After this short period of time, they found that licorice, nutmeg and ascorbic acid were as potent as the drug Metrifonate in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Metrifonate's side effects include diarrhea, nausea, leg cramps and a slight decrease in heart rate. The one side effect you may get from licorice is a slight increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, buy licorice that has been deglycyrrhizinated.
Another interesting effect of licorice is that it stimulates your immune system. Doctors at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, found that licorice helps stimulate immune cells in as little as seven days.
Ayurvedic herb may bring back your memory
Nardostachys jatamansi is an Indian herb commonly known as muskroot or Indian spikenard. It's even mentioned in the Bible as spikenard oil. The roots of the plant have been traditionally used for improving memory, mood and behavior. In a recent study conducted by SET's College of Pharmacy in Karnataka, India, researchers found that spikenard reversed induced amnesia in mice. In fact, it "reversed aging-induced amnesia" by improving the transmission of impulses to the brain through acetylcholine. Doctors concluded that the ayurvedic herb would be "a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in elderly persons."
Ginseng destroys mind-robbing amyloids
Alzheimer victims have an accumulation of amyloids (a peptide) in their brains. People who suffer from other dementia diseases do not show this excess of amyloids, which is how we can differentiate between AD and other illnesses that affect memory. If the amyloids can be destroyed or prevented from forming in the first place, it is believed that Alzheimer's may be averted or at least slowed down.
The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida, found that ginsenosides, the active constituents of ginseng, significantly reduced amyloids. While this study was conducted in a lab on a cell-based model of AD, it is still worth mentioning. In another test, doctors found that ONE dose of ginsenosides resulted in significant amyloid reduction.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer's disease or are concerned that your memory is slowly ebbing from your mind, you may want to consider adding these supplements to your daily regimen.
Here are some links to products discussed in today's blog.
Additional resources:
J Med Food. 2006 Summer;9(2):281-3
J Med Food. 2006 Spring;9(1):113-8
Phytother Res. 2006 Aug;20(8):687-95
FASEB J. 2006 Jun;20(8):1269-71
* * * * * * * *
I am not a doctor and have no medical training.
The information in this blog is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Statements made on this blog
have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Consult a healthcare professional before using any products,
treatments or exercises mentioned on this blog.
"Let food be thy medicine and
medicine be thy food" - Hippocrates
A common problem among AD sufferers is the inability of the body to stop acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that inhibits acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters carry nerve impulses and aid memory. If acetylcholine is prevented from doing its job by acetylcholinesterase, then your ability to remember is hampered. Galantamine prevents acetylcholinesterase from working!
I've recently come across some research that other natural products are showing promise as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or slowing down AD in other ways.
Licorice, nutmeg and vitamin C work as well as drugs!
Doctors at the Pharmacology Division at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in India tested the seed of the nutmeg tree (which produces the spices nutmeg and mace), licorice and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to determine if they could significantly decrease the activity of acetylcholinesterase.
The researchers gave extracts of all three natural products to mice for anywhere from three to seven days. A control group did not receive these treatments. After this short period of time, they found that licorice, nutmeg and ascorbic acid were as potent as the drug Metrifonate in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Metrifonate's side effects include diarrhea, nausea, leg cramps and a slight decrease in heart rate. The one side effect you may get from licorice is a slight increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, buy licorice that has been deglycyrrhizinated.
Another interesting effect of licorice is that it stimulates your immune system. Doctors at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, found that licorice helps stimulate immune cells in as little as seven days.
Ayurvedic herb may bring back your memory
Nardostachys jatamansi is an Indian herb commonly known as muskroot or Indian spikenard. It's even mentioned in the Bible as spikenard oil. The roots of the plant have been traditionally used for improving memory, mood and behavior. In a recent study conducted by SET's College of Pharmacy in Karnataka, India, researchers found that spikenard reversed induced amnesia in mice. In fact, it "reversed aging-induced amnesia" by improving the transmission of impulses to the brain through acetylcholine. Doctors concluded that the ayurvedic herb would be "a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in elderly persons."
Ginseng destroys mind-robbing amyloids
Alzheimer victims have an accumulation of amyloids (a peptide) in their brains. People who suffer from other dementia diseases do not show this excess of amyloids, which is how we can differentiate between AD and other illnesses that affect memory. If the amyloids can be destroyed or prevented from forming in the first place, it is believed that Alzheimer's may be averted or at least slowed down.
The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida, found that ginsenosides, the active constituents of ginseng, significantly reduced amyloids. While this study was conducted in a lab on a cell-based model of AD, it is still worth mentioning. In another test, doctors found that ONE dose of ginsenosides resulted in significant amyloid reduction.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer's disease or are concerned that your memory is slowly ebbing from your mind, you may want to consider adding these supplements to your daily regimen.
Here are some links to products discussed in today's blog.
Additional resources:
J Med Food. 2006 Summer;9(2):281-3
J Med Food. 2006 Spring;9(1):113-8
Phytother Res. 2006 Aug;20(8):687-95
FASEB J. 2006 Jun;20(8):1269-71
I am not a doctor and have no medical training.
The information in this blog is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Statements made on this blog
have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Consult a healthcare professional before using any products,
treatments or exercises mentioned on this blog.
medicine be thy food" - Hippocrates
posted by Edith Gaylord | 4:49 AM
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