How
Can Vitamins Help with Alzheimer’s?
How can Vitamins help with Alzheimer’s?
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of
dementia. Approximately 4.5 million Americans have this disease.
Although many things about Alzheimer’s remain a mystery, research
continues to bring us a better understanding of the disease, more
accurate diagnoses, and more effective treatments, particularly
the roles of certain vitamins in its prevention.
Alzheimer's disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois
Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the
course of the disease 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure
of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells.
We also know that people with Alzheimer's have a shortage of some
important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved
with the transmission of messages within the brain. Alzheimer's
is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time,
more parts of the brain are damaged.
As this happens, the symptoms become more severe. Memory lapses,
confusion, mood swings, and social withdrawal are some of the early
symptoms of the disease. As the disease progresses, people with
Alzheimer's will need more support from those who care for them.
Eventually they will need help with all their daily activities.
What causes Alzheimer's disease? So far, no one single factor has
been identified as a cause for Alzheimer's disease. It is likely
that a combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance,
environmental factors, diet and overall general health, are responsible.
Alzheimer's has no known cure.
People who have had severe head or whiplash injuries appear to be
at increased risk of developing dementia. Boxers who receive continual
blows to the head are also at risk. Research has also shown that
people who smoke and those who have high blood pressure or high
cholesterol levels increase their risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Research findings have long suggested that the antioxidants: carotenes,
vitamin C, vitamin E and other nutrients, might reduce cellular
damage to neurons and protect against dementia.
This supports the viability of a multivitamin being beneficial in
the prevention of the disease.
In 2003, the U.S. National Institute on Aging sponsored a multicenter
trial to test the safety and effectiveness of selected vitamin supplements
to treat Alzheimer's disease. The supplements under investigation
are folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 all previously shown to
reduce levels of homocysteine in the blood.
Studies have shown that high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid
that is a building block of proteins, may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's
disease. Researchers have suggested that the increased level of
homocysteines may make brain cells more vulnerable to the damage
that occurs in Alzheimer's disease.
Others studies have linked vitamins C and E to Alzheimer’s disease.
Indeed, recent findings showed that high doses of a combination
of these vitamins reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Older adults who take supplements containing at least 400 IU (international
units) of vitamin E and 500 milligrams of vitamin C may reduce their
risk of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers reported in the January
2004 Archives of Neurology. However, there was no significant reduction
in the risk of Alzheimer's when the vitamins were taken alone.
The theoretical basis for the interest in vitamins E and C is their
antioxidant effect. The normal cell function termed “oxidative metabolism”
results in byproducts known as free radicals. Free radicals are
highly reactive compounds that quickly “attack” other cell substances,
causing damage to the cell wall, metabolic machinery, and genetic
material (DNA).
Our cells have natural defenses against this damage, which include
the antioxidants vitamins C and E, but with age some of these protective
mechanisms decline. Brain cell damage caused by free radicals may
play a large role in Alzheimer’s disease.
The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin E is 22 international
units or 15 milligrams, and 75 to 90 milligrams of vitamin C. Unfortunately
many of the "general" multivitamins do not give you the
level of vitamins you need to be taking. The higher doses most strongly
associated with reduced Alzheimer risk in this study are more often
found in individual supplements, or high quality liquid multivitamins.
Genetic research has discovered that the presence of a specific
gene variant called APOE4 is associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Those with the APOE4 gene have lower concentrations of vitamin K
in their blood. The data collected thus far provides evidence that
vitamin K may be beneficial in both preventing and treating Alzheimer's.
One study at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden followed
370 people for three years who were 75 years or older and had no
signs of dementia. During the study period, the researchers evaluated
the participant's blood levels of vitamin B12 and folate (a.k.a.,
vitamin B9 or folic acid) and compared them to normal levels. The
results indicate that those patients with below normal levels of
both vitamin B12 and folic acid had over twice the risk
of developing Alzheimer's disease than those with normal levels.
Hopefully this evidence has given you enough reason for you to start
taking your vitamins if you haven’t already done so, particuarly
if you are at risk for any major disease. The good news is that
quality multivitamins can be had for under a dollar a day, a small
price to pay for your health.
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health
and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of
the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement,
quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high
quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at
the Multivitamin
Product Comparisons.
References
Archives of Neurology, 2004;61:82-88
Seshadri S, Beiser A, Selhub J, Jacques PF, Rosenberg IH, D'Agostino
RB, Wilson PW, Wolf PA. Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for
dementia and Alzheimer's disease. N Engl J Med. 2002 Feb 14;346(7):476-83.
Aisen PS, Egelko S, Andrews H, Diaz-Arrastia R, Weiner M, DeCarli
C, Jagust W, Miller JW, Green R, Bell K, Sano M. A pilot study of
vitamins to lower plasma homocysteine levels in Alzheimer disease.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2003 Mar-Apr;11(2):246-9.
Allison A. C. (2001, August). The possible role of vitamin K deficiency
in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and in augmenting brain
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Maitlin, L. J. (2002, January 14). Vitamin C may improve Alzheimer's
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Mayo Clinic. (2002, May 1). Vitamins and minerals: How much do you
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National Institutes of Health. (2002, June 25).
Diet rich in foods with vitamin E may reduce Alzheimer's disease
risk. Retrieved November 7, 2003, from
www.nih.gov/news/pr/jun2002/nia-25.htm.
Wang, H. X., Wahlin, A., Basun, H., Fastbim, J.,
Winblad, B. & Fratiglioni, L. (2001, May 8). Vitamin B12 and
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