Natural Treatments for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is linked to the brain and, as the brain is such a poorly understood part of our body, until now treatment of Alzheimer's has been difficult. In fact, no complete treatment for Alzheimer's disease has been found, though there are supplements available that treat the symptoms of dementia. In some instances patients have to try various treatments, with each offering only limited benefits.

Natural options for Alzheimer's disease Treatment

While scientists have not fully determined the actual causes of Alzheimer's disease, a number of treatment options have been tried over the years. Although much more research needs to be done in order to find out the role of these supplements in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, they can be tried in the absence of any other effective cure. Here are some of the suggested treatments:

One treatment for Alzheimer's is with B vitamins, such as B6, folic acid, and B12 (methylcobalamin) that lowers homocysteine levels. It is thought that a high homocysteine level in the brain causes neuronal damage leading to the progression of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Another vitamin treatment is the use of antioxidants, such as vitamin E (not more than 100 units per day). If you plan to take vitamin E, use a form that has all the tocopherols and tocotrienols. Another very important antioxidant for the treatment of Alzheimer's is lipoic acid, at a dose of 10 to 50 mg a few times a week. Many herbs have antioxidant potential including curcumin, acai, goji, and mangosteen.

Use of curcumin, the yellow compound found in turmeric, is also good for the Alzheimer's sufferers. Curcumin supplements are now available and are recently receiving more attention as a good preventive herb for dementia.

Acetyl-L-carnitine protects against amyloid-beta neurotoxicity and may be helpful in combination with medicines. The dose should not be more than 100 to 300 mg a day a few times a week.

People who eat an average of 180 mg or more a day of DHA, a fatty acid found in fish oils, have a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, compared with people who consume less DHA.

Walking, gardening and generally being physically active after age 65 appears to ward off dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Drink more vegetable and fruit juices, particularly vegetable juices since they have less fructose. These juices have plenty of useful antioxidants (see below).

Exposure to sunlight in the morning and sleep pattern re-establishment can help you a great deal.

Alzheimer Prevention with Juices

Drinking fruit and vegetable juices regularly could help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals at risk for developing the disease. While vitamins and polyphenols contained in plant foods use antioxidant effects and thus blunt the action of oxidants, certain ways of preparing these foods can deplete their nutrient content. Juicing, however, can preserve much of the antioxidant content of fruits and vegetables, and should be an integral part of Alzheimer's treatment. Juices don't usually have any side effects so this is one of the best, and tastiest, treatments for dementia.