I believe that the majority of people who are really into health ; especially with something as delicate as the human brain - deserve something a little more intricate than articles like this which suggest that "B12 and Cinnamon are among the most effective remedies for AD)...though they may have slight benefits - they are far too general and the referenced studies fail to show any superiority to control medicines nor significant augmentation in which would be superior to the below remedies...of which have far more 'broad functions' and can target the disease progression at it's core.
PLEASE NOTE: That none of this information is intended to replace the advice of a Physician and all attempted remedies should be evaluated by your G.P before using them. These should not be used against the advice of a Physician but may be used as augmentation to current medications - assuming they conform to the regimen and do not hold any significant adverse interactions.
1.) Turmeric (Curcumin)
This is the first major anti-AD ingredient on the list for many reasons. The first would be that studies have shown it to directly degrade and remove BETA-AMYLOID plaques from the brain and these exact proteins are of the largest causative factors in the pathophysiology/etiology of Alzheimer's Disease / Dementia.
Turmeric extracts with a high curcumin percentage (>95 %) may thus confer complete cellular and tissue protection on a level that exceeds simple neurotransmitter systems.
However, Curcumin and related compounds also increase Acetylcholine by preventing it's breakdown (!) - and this mechanism IS shared by anti-dementia drugs such as Donepezil.
Because of this - dose adjustment may be necessary in order to prevent excessive acetylcholine accumulation by the combination of herbal and pharmaceutical medications. It should be noted though, that although Curcuminoids; according to the study - have this mechanism, that they are not incredibly potent in this regard and so significant adverse reactions are unlikely, but it again, depends on the dose and duration of AD medication.
Finally, Curcumin may have beneficial effects on dopamine receptor concentration; as indicated in it's ability to modulate diabetes and NDG induced changes in neuronal systems (*!*) This is further reinforced in it's ability to protect dopamine neurons from damage and cell death and in it's ability to reverse some anti-psychotic drug induced side-effects. (!~!)
My recommended Turmeric product which conforms to the extracts/specifications used in the studies is below. It's expensive, but it's worth it...free of allergens, preservatives, impurities and certified Organic.
2.) Bacopa Monnieri Extract
Bacopa is an interesting and efficacious natural / herbal anti-dementia agent for a number of reasons.
First, it has been tested in models of Diazepam induced amnesia/memory impairment with success (!) and it also counters scopolamine induced memory impairment - which indicates that Bacopa counters adverse effects of both benzodiazepines and other impairment agents with clinical application (!).
Second, the mechanisms by which Bacopa can alleviate various forms of memory impairment are very diverse; including both antioxidant and neurotransmitter changes (!).
THE HARD SCIENCE
Bacopa appears to antagonize the 5-HT6 serotonin receptors; which essentially means it can help to block negative effects of the neurotransmitter serotonin in regards to memory(!).
Bacopa exhibits agonistic (activating) effects on the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (!) and may also modulate the serotonin 5-HT3 receptors (!) ; this may explain the reason why Bacopa is shown to have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects as well...thus in those patients/Affected with Alzheimer's / Dementia as well as anxiety disorders and temperament issues - bacopa may be a vital alternative or add-on to current therapy.
Bacopa may also protect against 5-HT2C upregulation induced by pilocarpine and other substances; thus balancing the serotonergic cell systems under specific conditions (!). Bacopa also can reverse decrements/downregulation of NMDA-glutamate receptor function but yet ALSO protect against excessive glutamate activity; this introduces bacopa as a novel glutamate 'balancing' substance (1) (2).
Like Turmeric, Bacopa also protects against beta-amyloid induced neuron degeneratoin - which elucidates it as a multi-modal and brain permeative protective herbal extract.
My recommended Bacopa extract is below. Good price, excellent quality! This can also help with school studies and excellent on the day of an exam as well as for neurodegenerative disorders..my Aunt takes this as well as several other relatives of mine and have noticed very remarkable improvements with really no side-effects... also compared to other , more stimulating herbs, Bacopa is more 'serene' and thus airs a very peaceful , focused feeling.
PLEASE NOTE: That none of this information is intended to replace the advice of a Physician and all attempted remedies should be evaluated by your G.P before using them. These should not be used against the advice of a Physician but may be used as augmentation to current medications - assuming they conform to the regimen and do not hold any significant adverse interactions.
1.) Turmeric (Curcumin)
This is the first major anti-AD ingredient on the list for many reasons. The first would be that studies have shown it to directly degrade and remove BETA-AMYLOID plaques from the brain and these exact proteins are of the largest causative factors in the pathophysiology/etiology of Alzheimer's Disease / Dementia.
Turmeric extracts with a high curcumin percentage (>95 %) may thus confer complete cellular and tissue protection on a level that exceeds simple neurotransmitter systems.
However, Curcumin and related compounds also increase Acetylcholine by preventing it's breakdown (!) - and this mechanism IS shared by anti-dementia drugs such as Donepezil.
Because of this - dose adjustment may be necessary in order to prevent excessive acetylcholine accumulation by the combination of herbal and pharmaceutical medications. It should be noted though, that although Curcuminoids; according to the study - have this mechanism, that they are not incredibly potent in this regard and so significant adverse reactions are unlikely, but it again, depends on the dose and duration of AD medication.
Finally, Curcumin may have beneficial effects on dopamine receptor concentration; as indicated in it's ability to modulate diabetes and NDG induced changes in neuronal systems (*!*) This is further reinforced in it's ability to protect dopamine neurons from damage and cell death and in it's ability to reverse some anti-psychotic drug induced side-effects. (!~!)
My recommended Turmeric product which conforms to the extracts/specifications used in the studies is below. It's expensive, but it's worth it...free of allergens, preservatives, impurities and certified Organic.
**INTERESTING NOTES**
Turmeric appears to increase yawning in response to dopamine agonist drugs such as Apomorphine.
Turmeric may increase skeletal muscle protein synthesis and glucose uptake in muscle; thus alleviating muscle-wasting to an extent and possibly proving of use in bodybuilders or strength athletes.
^ This is done by activating MUSCARINIC acetylcholine (M1-receptors) in skeletal muscle and thus Turmeric and it's constitutes can be seen as natural/herbal M1-muscarinic agonists ^
Turmeric may increase skeletal muscle protein synthesis and glucose uptake in muscle; thus alleviating muscle-wasting to an extent and possibly proving of use in bodybuilders or strength athletes.
^ This is done by activating MUSCARINIC acetylcholine (M1-receptors) in skeletal muscle and thus Turmeric and it's constitutes can be seen as natural/herbal M1-muscarinic agonists ^
2.) Bacopa Monnieri Extract
Bacopa is an interesting and efficacious natural / herbal anti-dementia agent for a number of reasons.
First, it has been tested in models of Diazepam induced amnesia/memory impairment with success (!) and it also counters scopolamine induced memory impairment - which indicates that Bacopa counters adverse effects of both benzodiazepines and other impairment agents with clinical application (!).
Second, the mechanisms by which Bacopa can alleviate various forms of memory impairment are very diverse; including both antioxidant and neurotransmitter changes (!).
THE HARD SCIENCE
Bacopa appears to antagonize the 5-HT6 serotonin receptors; which essentially means it can help to block negative effects of the neurotransmitter serotonin in regards to memory(!).
Bacopa exhibits agonistic (activating) effects on the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (!) and may also modulate the serotonin 5-HT3 receptors (!) ; this may explain the reason why Bacopa is shown to have anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects as well...thus in those patients/Affected with Alzheimer's / Dementia as well as anxiety disorders and temperament issues - bacopa may be a vital alternative or add-on to current therapy.
Bacopa may also protect against 5-HT2C upregulation induced by pilocarpine and other substances; thus balancing the serotonergic cell systems under specific conditions (!). Bacopa also can reverse decrements/downregulation of NMDA-glutamate receptor function but yet ALSO protect against excessive glutamate activity; this introduces bacopa as a novel glutamate 'balancing' substance (1) (2).
Like Turmeric, Bacopa also protects against beta-amyloid induced neuron degeneratoin - which elucidates it as a multi-modal and brain permeative protective herbal extract.
My recommended Bacopa extract is below. Good price, excellent quality! This can also help with school studies and excellent on the day of an exam as well as for neurodegenerative disorders..my Aunt takes this as well as several other relatives of mine and have noticed very remarkable improvements with really no side-effects... also compared to other , more stimulating herbs, Bacopa is more 'serene' and thus airs a very peaceful , focused feeling.
**OTHER CITATIONS/REFERENCES**
