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Alzheimer's Self-management Program
Sources:    Research References/Bibliography
Knowledge to Help Yourself Knowledge gives a person many options for managing Alzheimer's Disease and they can then personally take charge of the effect this disease is having on their life.
 
 
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Nutrient
Associations

Product Suggestion

Vitamins:
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies among the elderly. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes motor skill disturbances, confusion, delusion, fatigue, memory loss, numbness, and ringing in the ears. Click for more about B12 and Alzheimer's Disease
Vitamin B6
Deficiency can cause depression and mental difficulties. Produces neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B5
Plays a role in converting choline into acetylcholine, needed for memory.
Vitamin C
Powerful antioxidant and immune system enhancer that reduces allergies, protects the brain and spinal cord, keeps white blood cells healthy, fights fatigue, and increases energy.
Vitamin E
An antioxidant that helps transport oxygen to the brain cells and protects them from free radical damage. Click for more about vitamin E and Alzheimer's Disease
Acetylcholine
Deficiency has been implicated as possibly causing dementia. Maintains brain function and memory.

Alzheimer's Kit
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(complete nutritional coverage of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, cofactor nutrients, etc.)

Minerals:
Boron
Improves brain function.
Selenium
Powerful antioxidant for brain cell protection.
Zinc
Helps stops amyloid plaque formation induced by zinc deficiency.
Calcium
Has a calming effect and works with magnesium.
Magnesium
Acts as a natural block against aluminum, because it competes for the body to absorb it instead of aluminum.
Potassium
Needed for proper electrolyte balance.

Amino Acids:
Acetyl L-carnitine
Proven in double blind studies to enhance brain function and slows the deterioration of memory. Proven through extensive research to improve mental function. Click for more about acetyl L-carnitine and Alzheimer's Disease

Nutrient Cofactors:
Ginkgo Biloba
Improves circulation and delivery of oxygen to the brain, heart. Proven through research to improving mental function.
Melatonin
Improves brain function and aids sleep.
Coenzyme Q10
Increases oxygenation of cells and is involved in the generation of cellular energy.

  • Antioxidants combat free radical damage, and studies with antioxidants, especially with the antioxidant Vitamin E, have shown memory improvement in Alzheimer's patients.THINK ANTIOXIDANTS: Free radicals damage the brain, and this damage may be partially responsible for the development of Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidants combat free radical damage, and studies with antioxidants, especially with the antioxidant Vitamin E, have shown memory improvement in Alzheimer's patients. So make sure that you're getting the antioxidants that your body needs.

  • EAT A HEALTHY DIET: Eat a well-balanced diet. Better nutritional status means better memory and mental function.

  • BE SURE TO GET ENOUGH FIBER: Include plenty of fiber in your diet. Oat and rice bran are good sources.

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    Lifestyle Changes

    • EXERCISE: Regular exercise will keep your body strong and able to fight off disease.

      Regular exercise will keep your body strong and able to fight off disease.

    • DON'T SMOKE OR DRINK: Avoid alcohol, cigarette smoke, processed foods, and environmental toxins, especially metals like aluminum and mercury.

    • AVOID ALUMINUM: Autopsies of people who have died of Alzheimer's disease have revealed higher than normal amounts of aluminum in the brain, especially in the parts of the brain concerned with memory. Aluminum can be found in things such as aluminum cookware, antacids, antidiarrheal preparations, buffered aspirin, aluminum coated containers such as those used to store acidic juices, deodorants, douches, food additives, and shampoos. Extra aluminum is also sometimes added to the naturally occurring aluminum in our drinking water.

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    Medical Options and Precautions

     DRUGS:

    • Cognex® (Tacrine): This drug is used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease with some benefits for the treatment of advanced Alzheimer's disease. Cognex® is only effective for 20-40% of those who take it and may of cause liver damage. Because of this risk, using Cognex® requires regular liver function tests which may be difficult to constantly administer to someone suffering from Alzheimer's.

    • Aricept® (Donepezil): This drug prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain and, unlike Cognex®, does not cause liver enzyme abnormalities. It does however, come with an extensive list of side effects, some of them severe. For this list Click Here.

    • Many of the drugs used to treat Alzheimer's have serious side effects.Exelon® (Rivastigmine): Like Aricept® this drug does not cause liver abnormalities but it does have many unpleasant side effects. One of these side effects if nausea and vomiting serious enough to cause weight loss. For a more extensive list of side effects Click Here.

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