Our Mission is to offer you balanced information about natural methods for maintaining health and well-being. We seek to help you sort through the confusing maze of information regarding natural therapies and facilitate intelligent, well informed decision making. We respect your privacy and do not sell, barter or give away personal information, including e-mail addresses.
Topics
Alzheimer's Drugs Called Into Question
Inflammation and Alzheimer's
Red Wine May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Glyconutrition - Sugars That Heal
SweetLink™ Sugar Substitute
Alzheimer's Drugs Called Into Question
A recent study, published in the British Medical Journal, delivers a broadside against the use of a class of drugs for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) called cholinesterase inhibitors.1 Cholinesterase inhibitors are the primary pharmacotherapy for AD. The object of the study was a methodological review and re-assessment of previously published clinical trials for scientific evidence that would support the rational use of the drugs. Twenty-two trials met the author's criteria for study inclusion. The criteria reflect the "gold standards" for clinical trials, that is, they were double blind, randomized, and placebo controlled trials targeting clinical outcomes. All three of the commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil (Aricept®), galantamine (Reminyl®), and rivastigmine (Exelon®) were included in the assessment.
According to the authors, "the scientific basis for recommendations of cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease is questionable." The authors stated that the methodological quality of the trials was poor and the benefits of the drugs were minimal. Among the flaws in the studies used to evaluate cholinesterase inhibitors were failure to take into account drop out rates as high as 35% and failure to correct for a biostatistical error called multiplicity. Multiplicity, which occurs when a study design fails to account for more than one endpoint, treatment group, or hypothesis test, biases a study toward false positive outcomes.
Cholinesterase inhibitors have side effects that are difficult for the elderly. They cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and dizziness. These side effects are responsible for high drop out rates in the clinical trials, as well as in clinical practice.
Comment: The theory for the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in AD is based upon the observation that AD patients are deficient in a neurotransmitter important for memory called acetylcholine. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, conserving brain levels. Clinicians are aware that only 10% to 20% of AD patients respond to these drugs, and that the subgroup of patients who respond cannot be identified in advance.
Recent research suggests that low levels of acetylcholine are a symptom of AD, not the root cause. Over the past several years inflammation has been identified as the underlying pathology of AD.2
1) Kaduszkiewica H, et al. Cholinesterase inhibitors for patients with Alzheimer's disease: systematic review of randomized clinical trials. BMJ 2005;331;321-327 (Abstract)
2) Weisman D et al. Interleukins, inflammation, and mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease Vitam Horm. 2006; 74C: 505-530 (Abstract)
Inflammation and Alzheimer's Disease
When we have inflammation in our foot or our back we know about it because we hurt. Brain tissue, however, does not have pain receptors, so we are unaware of the presence of inflammation. Nevertheless, brain inflammation damages the neuron's ability to transport nutrients and eliminate waste products.
Recent research has found evidence for the role of inflammation in AD. Among the indicators are: the presence of reactive microglia cells (a type of white blood cell specific to the brain); the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines (mediators of inflammation); and a lowered risk of AD among regular users of anti-inflammatory drugs.1 When pro-inflammatory cytokines bind to the surface of nerve cells they activate genes that tell the cell to produce toxic, free radical producing enzymes. The result is more inflammation. Free radical assault damages the mitochondria, a vital structure inside the cell responsible for energy production.
According to Dr. David Perulmutter, MD, a Board Certified Neurologist, microglia are activated, that is primed to produce an inflammatory cascade of events, by the following factors:
-
Sugar - contributes to amyloid plaque formation
-
Toxins - microglia activation persists even after removal
-
Free radicals
-
High amounts of dietary animal fat (arachadonic acid)
-
Gut disorders (inflammatory products are absorbed)
Reducing sugar intake is one way to minimize risk for AD. Beta-amyloid plaques are formed when proteins normally present in the brain combine with the sugar glucose. Beta-amyloid stimulates inflammation in the brain and generates free radicals, especially some of the most damaging ones - the superoxide and nitric oxide radicals. In addition, beta-amyloid activates microglia, perpetuating the inflammatory cascade.
According to Dr. Perlmutter, nutrients and supplements that support brain neurons are: lipoic acid, glutathione, selenium, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, phosphatidylserine, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, ginkgo, curcumin (tumeric), milk thistle, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC).1 Dr. Perlmutter has formulated a comprehensive supplement to support brain funtion called Brain Sustain. See Healthy Morning's Brain / Memory Support Deptarment.
1) Perlmutter D, MD Leading Edge Concepts in Neuro Degenerative Disorders. Presentation at The Institute of Functional Medicine Meeting, May 2001
Red Wine May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's
Studies of populations indicate that dietary habits play a role in warding off Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Elderly people, who regularly consume fruit and vegetable juices, are at lower risk for developing AD.1 In addition, people who adhere to the Mediterranean diet, which is low in red meat and high in olive oil, fruits, vegetables and omega 3 oils, are are also at lower risk.2
Inspired by epidemiological evidence that moderate red wine consumption may also reduce the risk of AD3, researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine looked at the effects of red wine in the laboratory. Mice, that were genetically altered to have AD, were given either the equivalent of two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon a day or plain ethanol (the kind of alcohol found in wine) in their drinking water. The group that received the red wine demonstrated significantly reduced deterioration of memory function and nerve pathology.4
Another study identified the antioxidant resveratrol as the active ingredient of red wine.5 In this cell culture study, researchers looked at 3 antioxidants found in red wine - resveratrol, quercetin and catechin. They exposed cells infested with amyloid plaque to each of these 3 antioxidants. They found that only resveratrol promoted the degradation of amyloid plaque in cells afflicted with this marker of AD. The authors suggest that "this natural compound has a therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's Disease."5
Comments: Clearance of amyloid plaque from cells is a feat that no drug therapy comes close to accomplishing. It is quite remarkable that a natural substance does this.
In addition to red wine, resveratrol is found in red grape skins and seeds, purple grape juice, mulberries, and peanuts. The richest source is from the roots of a plant used in Chinese medicine called polygonum cuspidatum. Resveratrol is available in supplement form. Resveratrol has mild anticoagulant properties. If you are on an anticoagulant drug talk to you doctor before taking resveratrol in supplement form.
1) Qi Dai et al. Fruit and vegetable juices and Alzheimer's disease: the Kame project. The American Journal of Medicine 2006; 119:751-759 (Abstract)
2) Scarmeas N et al. Mediterranean Diet, Alzheimer Disease, and Vascular Mediation. ArchNeurol. 2006 Jun;59(6):912-21. (Abstract)
3) Luchsinger JA, et al. Alcohol intake and risk of dementia. J Amer Geriatr Society 2004 Apr;52(4):540-6. (Abstract)
4) Pasinetti, GM. Moderate consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon Attenuates a-amyloid Neuropathology in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. The FASEB Journal, November 2006
5) Marambaud, Phillippe, et al. Resveratrol Promotes Clearance of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid-beta Peptides. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Nov. 11, 2005 (abstract)
Glyconutrition - Sugars That Heal
Not all sugars are bad for you; some are essential for health. Recent scientific research has shown that eight simple sugars, called glyconutrients are known to form the very words of life at the cellular level. Most of these nutrients are not found in abundance in the standard modern diet. These substances combine with proteins, forming glycoproteins which surround the surface of every cell. All eight are needed so the body can have proper function and structure at a cellular level. Glycobiology, the study of glyconutrients, is a revolutionary field emerging in medicine. The 1999 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for research in glycobiology. Science Magazine and Scientific American dedicated whole editions to the field of glycobiology. In addition, MIT's Technology Review identified the field as one of the ten emerging technologies that will "change the world." For more information about glyconutrition contact Debbie.
SweetLink™
Are you looking for a sugar substitute that is both versatile and tastes good? SweetLink™ is 100% pure, pharmaceutical grade xylitol, a natural sweetener derived from plants, fruits, and berries. Xylitol, which has a very low glycemic index, is approved by the FDA and the American Diabetes Association as a safe alternative sweetener. Xylitol is also recommended by the American Dental Association as a means to reduce cavity and plaque formation.
SweetLink™ can be used in baking, and on cereal or in coffee. It can take the place of sugar in most recipes. It will not, however, crystallize like sugar and may impair the rising action of yeast.
SweetLink™ may be freely given to children whose behavior becomes "hyper", cranky, or difficult to manage on sugar. Treats made with SweetLink™ are great alternatives.
Zucchini bread made with SweetLink™
SweetLink™ 1 lb SweetLink™ 3 lb SweetLink™ 5 lb
+These have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This newsletter is for information purposes only, and is not medical advise or prescription. Consult your physician if you are having a health problem.
