Page 38 - Summer2014

NUTRITIONAL THERAPIES FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

The damage observed in AD brains is complex and multifactorial. Any intervention intended to delay or possibly
reverse this damage should therefore be a multipronged strategy designed to address as many of the contributing factors
as possible. The majority of these potentially helpful practices are nutritional, but two can be considered lifestyle modifi-
cations. Obviously, the foundation of what might be considered an “anti-Alzheimer’s strategy” is a reduced carbohydrate
diet. Beyond that, there are numerous nutritional supplements that could be effective based on their biochemical func-
tions:

• Chromium picolinate: Chromium is required for proper function of the insulin receptor, and has been proven to aid
in glucoregulation and insulin sensitivity. 58,59
• Zinc: Insulin degrading enzyme requires zinc as a cofactor.
57

• High-quality cod liver oil: To balance the n-6/n-3 ratio and decrease inflammation. Generally, oils rich in n-6 fatty
acids induce inflammation in the body, while n-3-rich oils stimulate anti-inflammatory pathways. The ratio of n-6 to
n-3 in the modern American diet is estimated to be as high as 30:1, while our evolutionary dietary patterns suggest
we are physiologically suited to a ratio closer to 3:1. 36,60 Additionally, dietary imbalances of these fatty acids cause
imbalances in their incorporation into cellular and organelle membranes, resulting in altered permeability and in-
creased vulnerability to lipid peroxidation.

• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs): These saturated fatty acids (found mostly in coconut and palm kernel oils) are
metabolized differently from others and can serve as a source of ketones even in the absence of carbohydrate re-
striction. 61

• L-Carnitine: This amino acid is required by carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, the enzyme responsible for shuttling
fatty acids into the mitochondria, as well as other enzymes in the breakdown of fats. A patient on a reduced car-
50
bohydrate diet with the specific intention of ramping up fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis could likely benefit
from supplemental carnitine.

• Coenzyme Q : CoQ is a vital member of the mitochondrial electron transport system (and therefore generation
10
10
of ATP) and also a potent antioxidant. CoQ administration has been shown to reduce production of ROS by mito-
10
18
chondria exposed to Aβ in animal models of diabetes. With the AD brain struggling to produce energy and under
great oxidative stress, CoQ could be a powerful adjunct.
10
• Antioxidants: In addition to increasing antioxidant-rich foods in the diet, supplemental N-acetyl-cysteine for glutathi-
one regeneration might be helpful. (It’s noteworthy that the fruits highest in antioxidants are also lower in glycemic
index and load; namely, berries.) Supplemental superoxide dismutase might also be beneficial.
• Physical activity: Physical activity induces recruitment of GLUT4s and ultimately helps maintain insulin sensitivity.
Resistance training or weightlifting might prove particularly beneficial, as it would serve to increase muscle mass and
potentially increase insulin sensitivity. This might be especially protective if started early in life so as to minimize the
impact of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) as one ages.

• Stress reduction: Cortisol, the primary glucocorticoid “stress hormone,” releases glucose in response to acute
25
stressors. In our hyper-stressful modern environment, our bodies almost always perceive dire threats all around
us. Chronically high cortisol levels could induce hyperglycemia even in the context of a reduced carbohydrate diet.

• B : While B is not necessarily required for a therapeutic diet for AD, it is important to note that memory loss and
12
12
cognitive decline are insidious signs of long-term B deficiency. Sufficient stomach acid is required for B absorption,
12
12
and stomach acid production naturally declines with age. Combine this with the possibility that older people are
less likely to consume B -rich foods (which can take more effort to prepare than convenient, ready-to-eat refined
12
carbohydrates), and B deficiency becomes fairly common in the elderly. B deficiency can even be mistaken for
12
12
AD, so it’s worthwhile to have B levels tested if AD is suspected.
12
38 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2014 Wise Traditions

137720_text.indd 38 7/1/14 11:40 AM