Mineral Analysis and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating and very costly illness. It already affects 4 million Americans and the incidence is expected to triple over the next 40 years. Nutritional balancing programs based on their hair mineral analysis can be helpful in preventing and even improving the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Identifying Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the death and disappearance of brain cells and the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Also present are a feature identified as senile plaques containing amyloidal tissue.

Symptoms usually begin with short-term memory loss, and at times other mental disorders including depression, anxiety, delusions, odd behaviors and hallucinations. Progression may be slow over a 10 year or more period of time.
Alzheimer’s disease may be confused with Parkinson’s disease, advanced MS, vascular dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, brain tumors, depression, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, liver toxicity, drug reactions, B12 deficiency or other nutrient deficiencies. Some individuals may have several of these conditions. It is important to consider these possible causes of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Causes of Alzheimer’s
With no single cause has been identified, nutritional aspects are very important. Here are some of the major findings related to nutrition.

Aluminum and Mercury
The brains of those with Alzheimer’s accumulate more aluminum than normal brains. Aluminum is neurotoxic and may replace vital minerals such as magnesium in key enzyme binding sites. The amount of aluminum in the environment and food supply has increased dramatically due to the widespread use of anti-perspirants, anti-acids, aluminum cans and aluminum added to salt and drinking water. Mineral analysis often reveals excessive aluminum in a large percentage of the population.

Drinking fluoridated water increases the absorption of aluminum. Levels of greater than 1 ppm of fluoride have been added to water supplies in the past 50 years. Today, fluoride is not only found in many water supplies, foods which are processed with water, fruit juices and other prepared foods also often contain high levels of fluoride. Digestive dysfunctions such as leaky gut syndrome and others may enhance the absorption of aluminum.

Mercury and other heavy metals are also neurotoxic and may play a role. Mercury is widespread in the environment due to the use of amalgam dental fillings and environmental contamination of fish and some water supplies. These metals accumulate in the brain and interfere with normal brain metabolism.

Folic Acid, Lycopene and a Positive Self-Image
In the book, Aging with Grace, 600 Franciscan nuns were involved in a long-term study of Alzheimer’s disease. Those with low folic acid and lycopene had a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Folic acid is often deficient in the diet and current regulations prevent significant supplementation of folic acid in vitamin supplements. Lycopene is an anti-oxidant. The study also found those with a better self-image had less Alzheimer’s disease.

L-Carnitine
This amino acid is required for mitochondrial transport of long-chain fatty acids. It is naturally found in animal proteins and can be made in the body from lysine and methionine. Vitamin C, niacin, B6 and iron are also required for its synthesis. A recent trial with 2 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine showed evidence of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Copper and Zinc
In June, 200l researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital reported that copper buildup in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Excessive copper can damage protein structures by affecting disulfide bonds and perhaps by acting as an anti-oxidant.

Zinc deficiency may contribute to copper excess. Studies also show that zinc can inhibit amyloidal-induced production in neuronal filaments. Zinc deficiency is widespread in the population due to depleted soils and refined food diets. Copper excess and zinc deficiency are common on hair mineral analysis tests.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in Alzheimer’s patients and can cause similar symptoms. Serum B12 is not always a reliable guide.

Energy Production
Mutated mitochondrial DNA is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Enhancing mitochondrial function and cellular energy production through nutritional balancing may be helpful for some Alzheimer’s patients. Nutrients that enhance energy production include B-complex vitamins, coenzyme Q10, NADH and vital minerals.

Essential Fatty Acids
It is theorized that essential fatty acids deficiency may play a role by affecting cell membrane permeability and prostaglandin synthesis in the brain.

Estrogen
Adequate estrogen appears to protect women from Alzheimer’s disease. Women can take estrogen supplements, or better yet, improve their adrenal gland activity to produce adequate estrogen.

Botanicals
A number of herbs have shown promise in circulation, blood vessel integrity and energy production in the brain. Among the most common are ginkgo biloba, Gotu kola, Salvia officinalis, Melissa officinalis, periwinkle and others.

The Stress Connection
Prolonged, excessive levels of cortisol and other stress hormones have been shown to cause brain cell death. Excess cortisol production may be indicated in a hair analysis by a fast oxidation rate, or more commonly, a low ratio of sodium to potassium. Any of the nutritional deficiencies and toxic metal excesses discussed able also place extra stress on the body.

Nutritional Balancing and Alzheimer’s
We do not find one particular mineral imbalance in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Many have elevated toxic metals, low energy patterns and vital mineral deficiencies.
Nutritional balancing programs help reduce stress by balancing oxidation rate, improving the adequacy of the diet, reducing toxic metal levels and replenishing vital minerals, vitamins and other nutrients.

Adding botanicals such as ginkgo biloba and other methods can further refine and enhance a nutritional balancing program.