It’s hard to stop Alzheimer’s?

[tmm99]

Alpha GPC has been associated with stroke. A study involving 12 million users found as association.

Thanks, it's not just Alpha GPC, but I think any form of choline taken in excess can lead to a high level of TMAO and risks of heart diseases and strokes.

 

[tmm99]

Be warned that if you have either of the MTHFR mutations the b12 / b6/ and folate won't be processed by your body properly. (I have one mutation, hubby has the other, and one of our sons got the bonus of both mutations.) Your body methylizes the colbin/folate/ etc... But if you have this mutation you don't properly break it down/methylize it. Your brain needs methylfolate and methylcolbin to regulate stuff like Serotonin. Homocystienes were mentioned upstream in this thread - and your body can't properly absorb/convert it if you have a defect (MTHFR) in creating the enzyme that does this. The vitamins are easy to find pre-methylized. (I order off amazon for methylfolate, and costco sells a methylcolban) Homocystienes are less easy to address.

TL: DR - if you don't see an improvement with b vitamins- your body might be having issues converting them to the form needed due to a genetic mutation of the MTHFR gene.

Sorry to hear about your predicament. I've read about that in the past, and that it's not that uncommon. I take a bio-active form of B12 (combo of methylcobalamine/hydroxocobalmine/cobamamide) and folic acid (5-MTHF). I have only taken them occasionally, however. I need to make sure and take it more often.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I have also added back eating more eggs (which are high in choline, a precursor to acetylcholine). And started taking Vit B complex for Vit B12, B6 and folic acid (which is supposed to lower homocysteine levels.) Not sure however if this is doing anything.

The Nutr-Eval test from Genova has recommendations for B vitamins, makers for glycine and serine metabolites, and potential vitamin and mineral interventions that may be needed for choline production and metabolism. You can check out the page 13 of the interpretive guide for more info - NutrEval-Interpretive-Guide.pdf(gdx.net). The first part of the guide gives an overview of what the entire test results look like.

A sample report can be found here - rrsreview (gdx.net)

 

[RetMD21]

Of course you would. Unfortunately this is what opens the door to well meaning people with ineffective treatments that sound promising but do nothing. It also attracts low-lifes and sociopaths that exploit this sentiment for their gain. I saw this when my BiL was dying from cancer.

Too bad about your BIL. As for AD there is no downside to improved diet and no evidence of benefit to the Bredesen specific interventions. People want magic and many don't understand the difference between correlation and causation.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Vitamin D - Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function Through Reducing Oxidative Stress Regulated by Telomere Length in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial - PubMed (nih.gov)

Malnutrition - ALZHEIMER DISEASE: MALNUTRITION AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT - Navrátilová - 2007 - Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology - Wiley Online Library - The present study shows that patients with AD are undernourished despite normal voluntary energy intake. Nutritional intervention significantly decreased the progression of deterioration of the mental function of AD patients, as well as other complications.

Zinc - Zinc Status Alters Alzheimer's Disease Progression through NLRP3-Dependent Inflammation | Journal of Neuroscience (jneurosci.org)

Uric Acid and Cognitive Function in Older Individuals - PMC (nih.gov) - Current studies indeed demonstrate that uric acid may exert neuroprotective actions in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s dementia, with hypouricemia representing a risk factor for a quicker disease progression and a possible marker of malnutrition. Conversely, high serum uric acid may negatively influence the disease course in vascular dementia.

Candida infection can reach brain and impair memory - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324106

Gut alterations - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2020/8456596/ - These findings suggest that gut microbiota alterations precede the development of key pathological features of AD, including amyloidosis and plaque-localized neuroinflammation.

Homocysteine - Identification of modifiable risk factors provides a crucial approach to the prevention of dementia. Nutritional or nutrient-dependent risk factors are especially important because dietary modifications or use of dietary supplements may lower the risk factor level. One such risk factor is a raised concentration of the biomarker plasma total homocysteine, which reflects the functional status of three B vitamins (folate, vitamins B12, B6). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5836397/

There are thousands upon thousands of studies in Pubmed from peer reviewed medical journals linking gut changes, fungal infections, and nutrient deficiencies, commonly identified in functional tests, to Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. The functional medicine tests are are generally simple, relatively inexpensive and noninvasive (urine, stool or blood tests) and available from CLIA certified labs. Many of the tests can be found at Labcorp or Quest, the same labs hospitals often use. Most of the treatments, like coconut oil to kill Candida, a higher zinc diet or supplements for zinc deficiency, and B vitamins for elevated homocysteine levels are also simple and inexpensive. The benefits are all positive for this kind of testing whether you have Alzheimer's, or just want to stay in as good of health as possible in your old age.

My relative with a brain disorder had zero issues show up on the limited testing the conventional doctor and specialist did, but had over 20 out of range factors, all easily correctable, with well established links to cognitive decline and many other health issues, on the gut and nutrition tests. And those results were from just a couple of the panels so far, with several more to go.

 

[euro]

Too bad about your BIL. As for AD there is no downside to improved diet and no evidence of benefit to the Bredesen specific interventions. People want magic and many don't understand the difference between correlation and causation.

Very, very true!

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Too bad about your BIL. As for AD there is no downside to improved diet and no evidence of benefit to the Bredesen specific interventions. People want magic and many don't understand the difference between correlation and causation.

Identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies and gut issues isn't magic. It is solid science. There is no upside to nutritional deficiencies and pathogenic gut, yeast and viruses in good health.

 

[Turbo29]

People want magic and many don't understand the difference between correlation and causation.

A site with some interesting correlations: Spurious Correlations

 

[daylatedollarshort]

The really cool aspect with Pubmed is all the research that exists on modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's and cognitive decline is out there and in one searchable database, whether or not your own doctor reads the studies or has expert training in the microbiome and nutrition. Most of the tests for the major risk factors can be self ordered these days online, and then there are a number of experts with doctorates, in areas like microbiology and nutrition, who consult with the labs and are also available to be hired to help interpret the test results as needed.

 

[tmm99]

Another study - Gamma waves (sound and lights) improve AD (Promising study at the MIT - Well, it works on mice with AD at this point...)

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/22/health/brain-stimulation-memory-wellness/index.html

Here is the TED Talk by Li-Huei Tsai (neuroscientist and the director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the MIT) who is on the team doing the study explains how it works and where they are at in their process.

This therapy (the gamma wave sound/lightbox) does, among other things, widen the diameters of the blood vessels in the brain to increase blood flow. Can someone make this device for me?

Mar 7, 2022 What if we could use brain waves to treat Alzheimer's? Professor and neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai details a promising new approach to artificially stimulate gamma brain waves using light and sound therapy, to increase connectivity and synchrony and delay the onset of this deadly disease. This non-invasive therapy has already been shown to work in mice -- now it's on to human clinical trials, with the potential to usher in a brighter future for everyone. (Followed by a Q&A with head of TED Chris Anderson)

 

[RetMD21]

The problem with pubmed is that unsophisticated people can just cherry pick small studies that support their beliefs, ignore all those that don't, and possibly appear to be knowledgeable.

I didn't spend the 27.5 Euros to read the small positive vitamin D study from 2020 (183 patients) linked above. I still like the negative 4200 patient study from 2021 which is free full text https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02485-8#Sec2

The best solution to microbiome issues seems to be eating a better diet rather than chasing all of these unproved associations.

Here is a link to actual reliable information. The diet is healthy for everyone not just those worried about AD. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-do-we-know-about-diet-and-prevention-alzheimers-disease

I understand that people are scared and looking for ssomething they can believe in. Unfortunately some don't understand the difference between an association and an effective intervention or between causation and correlation.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I totally agree it is good to look at articles and papers from reputable sources, like the world's leading hospitals and universities. Fortunately, this is where most of the nutrition and microbiome studies on Alzheimer's actually do come from.

Dementia Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency, Study Shows - https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20220620/dementia-linked-to-vitamin-d-deficiency-study-says. Reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Link between Alzheimer's disease and gut microbiota is confirmed -- ScienceDaily - A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) in Switzerland, together with Italian colleagues from the National Research and Care Center for Alzheimer's and Psychiatric Diseases Fatebenefratelli in Brescia, University of Naples and the IRCCS SDN Research Center in Naples, confirm the correlation.

Homocysteine and Dementia: An International Consensus Statement - PMC (nih.gov) - Identification of modifiable risk factors provides a crucial approach to the prevention of dementia. Nutritional or nutrient-dependent risk factors are especially important because dietary modifications or use of dietary supplements may lower the risk factor level. One such risk factor is a raised concentration of the biomarker plasma total homocysteine, which reflects the functional status of three B vitamins (folate, vitamins B12, B6). A group of experts reviewed literature evidence from the last 20 years. We here present a Consensus Statement, based on the Bradford Hill criteria, and conclude that elevated plasma total homocysteine is a modifiable risk factor for development of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease in older persons. - Journal of Alzheimers Disease. 2018; 62(2): 561–570. There are multiple authors listed from a variety of countries and universities, including Tufts, Rutgers and Oxford.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Here is a very recent study linking a specific gut bacteria, one that is easily tested for, to Alzheimer's disease. It comes from researchers at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and was funded in part by the National Institute of Health.

Major contributor to Alzheimer's disease discovered - "Research reports on a pathway that begins in the gut and ends with a potent pro-inflammatory toxin in brain cells contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). They also report a potentially simple way to prevent it...The highly potent neurotoxin BF-LPS is a natural by-product of GI-tract-based microbial metabolism. Bacteroides fragilis abundance in the microbiome, which is the source of the neurotoxin BF-LPS, can be regulated by dietary fiber intake."

Since it is good to clear up gut bacterial infections for many reasons, and an overgrowth of this bacteria is easy to test for, this may be another modifiable risk factor, whether it is ultimately proved by other studies to help with brain health or not. There are no bad side effects to optimizing gut bacteria or getting more fiber in one's diet.

Previous related study: Alzheimer’s Disease Microbiome Is Associated with Dysregulation of the Anti-Inflammatory P-Glycoprotein Pathway - "Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, has long been associated with bacterial infections and inflammation-causing immunosenescence. Recent studies examining the intestinal microbiota of AD patients revealed that their microbiome differs from that of subjects without dementia."

The lead author on this second paper is from the Center for Microbiome Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School and publishing in the American Society for Microbiology Journal, so it is not exactly a Dr. Oz type writing up a case study in some obscure medical journal. This is just really cool, cutting edge science.

 

[RetMD21]

This is sort of an unfalsifiable belief system isn't it?

 

[braumeister]

Unfortunately some don't understand the difference between an association and an effective intervention or between causation and correlation.

Or the difference between absolute and relative risk.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I'd rather that my family members didn't have pathogenic gut bacteria, a vitamin D deficiency or high homocysteine levels, even if they didn't have a brain disorder, and especially if they did, but of course YMMV.

 

[Koolau]

All these theories are confusing and maybe even mutually exclusive to some extent. My point is we know a little about a lot but still don't know what causes AD. That's why it's so tempting to grab onto a pill that has promise.

Probably lots of causes of AD and unlikely one cure. After decades of research, all we have are some theories that are difficult to study.

If you asked researchers and medical specialists and doctors, etc., they would probably all say "We've made a lot of progress." From the perspective of someone who lost two parents to AD, it doesn't seem that way - multiple theories aside. YMMV

 

[daylatedollarshort]

All these theories are confusing and maybe even mutually exclusive to some extent. My point is we know a little about a lot but still don't know what causes AD. That's why it's so tempting to grab onto a pill that has promise.

Probably lots of causes of AD and unlikely one cure. After decades of research, all we have are some theories that are difficult to study.

If you asked researchers and medical specialists and doctors, etc., they would probably all say "We've made a lot of progress." From the perspective of someone who lost two parents to AD, it doesn't seem that way - multiple theories aside. YMMV

If Alzheimer's is a modern lifestyle disease with hundreds of possible contributing factors, then perhaps many of those hundreds of factors are already out there on Pubmed. Many of the independent findings do fit together, like vitamin D has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties, so findings of fungal infections, viral infections, bacterial infections in AD along with vitamin D deficiencies, actually all could fit together. it is just that each one alone isn't "the" cause.

Related link - Vitamin D and Immune Regulation: Antibacterial, Antiviral, Anti‐Inflammatory - PMC (nih.gov)

 

[MichaelB]

If Alzheimer's is a modern lifestyle disease with hundreds of possible contributing factors, then perhaps many of those hundreds of factors are already out there on Pubmed.

When was Alzheimer’s determined to be a “lifestyle disease”?

 

[daylatedollarshort]

When was Alzheimer’s determined to be a “lifestyle disease”?

I didn't say it was. I said "if" it is, there could be many contributing factors.

However, there are many articles on the subject of lifestyle and AD. From the Alzheimer's Association web site, Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease: "Researchers believe there isn't a single cause of Alzheimer's disease. It likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment. Scientists have identified factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. While some risk factors — age, family history and heredity — can't be changed, emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence." - https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors

Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Help Lower the 19 Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s - https://www.healthline.com/health-news/alzheimers-risk-factors-lifestyle-changes -“One of the new and most prevalent risk factors to emerge from this report is hyperhomocysteinemia, which is commonly found in those with B12 or folate deficiencies and much more common in those who consume diets high in meat. [This] highlights the relative importance of including a diet higher in plant than meat protein for Alzheimer’s prevention,” McEwen told Healthline...."These new findings are incredibly helpful for clinicians, illuminating the necessity to do a deeper dive into their patients’ medical histories and further blood tests to see if their patients present with any of these risk factors,” she said....“There is more and more evidence that modifiable risk factors play an important role in protecting people from developing cognitive decline as they age, including Alzheimer’s disease,” Keith Fargo, PhD, director of scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, told Healthline."

What you can do now: While research is not yet conclusive — partially due to the need for more large-scale studies in diverse populations — certain lifestyle choices, such as physical activity and diet, may help support brain health and prevent Alzheimer's. Many of these lifestyle changes have been shown to lower the risk of other diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, which have been linked to Alzheimer's. With few drawbacks and plenty of known benefits, healthy lifestyle choices can improve your health and possibly protect your brain. - https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/prevention

I put Alzheimer's and lifestyle into my Google search bar and got 45 million results.

 

[MichaelB]

I put Alzheimer's and lifestyle into my Google search bar and got 45 million results.

Lifestyle + anything brings up at least 45 million hits. I Googled “lifestyle and forums” and got 383 million. Someday we can hope there will be hard science that determines cause and treatment of Alzheimer’s, but so far there’s still no way to even diagnose with 95%+ accuracy, much less treat or prevent.

A healthful lifestyle has many advantages and benefits. It may prevent some conditions and help treat others. Any effect it has on Alzheimer’s disease, though, is speculative.

 

[Amethyst]

Longer lifespans make dementia more common, and people are more likely to talk online about their parents' dementia (because they can do so anonymously), all of which may give an impression that AD is something recent.

If Alzheimer's is a modern lifestyle disease

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I can't really add more to the links I've already posted from studies, and even the Alzheimer's Association, about modifiable risk factors, links to heart disease, homocysteine levels, B vitamins, more extensive lab work, etc. Heart disease is pretty clearly linked to modern Western dietary patterns.

We're testing for all of the above and more in my family. The person with a brain disorder has been improving with correction of the out of range biomarkers, including correcting nutritional deficiencies and improving their microbiome. I'd move heaven and earth to try to help this person in any way I can, so for sure, if simple, non-invasive, inexpensive tests have even a speculative chance of helping, I'm going to do them all. There is no downside to clearing up pathogenic yeast or mold in the gut or correcting nutritional deficiencies. The general health benefits are all positive.

 

[Koolau]

I didn't say it was. I said "if" it is, there could be many contributing factors.

However, there are many articles on the subject of lifestyle and AD. From the Alzheimer's Association web site, Causes and Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease: "Researchers believe there isn't a single cause of Alzheimer's disease. It likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment. Scientists have identified factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. While some risk factors — age, family history and heredity — can't be changed, emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence." - https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors

Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Help Lower the 19 Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s - https://www.healthline.com/health-news/alzheimers-risk-factors-lifestyle-changes -“One of the new and most prevalent risk factors to emerge from this report is hyperhomocysteinemia, which is commonly found in those with B12 or folate deficiencies and much more common in those who consume diets high in meat. [This] highlights the relative importance of including a diet higher in plant than meat protein for Alzheimer’s prevention,” McEwen told Healthline...."These new findings are incredibly helpful for clinicians, illuminating the necessity to do a deeper dive into their patients’ medical histories and further blood tests to see if their patients present with any of these risk factors,” she said....“There is more and more evidence that modifiable risk factors play an important role in protecting people from developing cognitive decline as they age, including Alzheimer’s disease,” Keith Fargo, PhD, director of scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, told Healthline."

What you can do now: While research is not yet conclusive — partially due to the need for more large-scale studies in diverse populations — certain lifestyle choices, such as physical activity and diet, may help support brain health and prevent Alzheimer's. Many of these lifestyle changes have been shown to lower the risk of other diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, which have been linked to Alzheimer's. With few drawbacks and plenty of known benefits, healthy lifestyle choices can improve your health and possibly protect your brain. - https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/prevention

I put Alzheimer's and lifestyle into my Google search bar and got 45 million results.

Someone already said it, IIRC. Correlation is not causation. I'm sure you could find a correlation between AD and altitude, longitude, race, religion, on and on.

It still surprises me that we've been at this for this long and still only have a bunch of correlations and unprovable theories. If the drug companies can't fix it, it's more complicated than we thought.

Oh, and both my grand parents on mom's side had AD (born in 1880). They were born before airplanes, cars, space travel, pasteurization (as a routine), antibiotics, (most) vaccines, etc. etc. So maybe modern life-style is a factor, but maybe it's not. YMMV

 

[daylatedollarshort]

I can see people not wanting to go to a clinic in Mexico for experimental $10K coffee enema treatments for a given disease, but I really don't get the nay-saying over simple things like a $50 homocysteine test at a major lab, especially when it is endorsed as a possible modifiable risk factor by an international consensus of researchers from major universities and the Alzheimer's Association, per the links above. My relative was low in the B vitamins linked to homocysteine, which is also linked to heart disease and blood clots.

Wayne Gretzy is famous for saying we miss 100% of the shots we don't take. The more we test and correct, the better odds we have of catching something key, or at least preventing some concurrent disease.