Progressive dementia is a significant loss of brain function, or what used to be called "senility".  It targets a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is the seat of memory and intellect.  A healthy brain makes a critical nerve chemical called acetylcholine.  When the brain cells become damaged, they can no longer make acetylcholine.  As your acetylcholine levels drop, your brain gets inflamed, resulting in formations called amyloid plaques.   This causes loss of brain cells, especially those that make new memories and retrieve old ones.  And slowly but surely you develop full-fledged cognitive impairment.

Once thought rare, the medical community is now reporting that progressive cognitive impairment is soaring, in lockstep with other neuro-degenerative disorders. According to one neurology professor, “Alzheimer’s is going to swamp the health care system”.

Cognitive dementia currently affects 10 percent of those over 65, and as many as 50 percent of those over 85 years of age.  In fact, autopsies reveal that the vast majority of Americans over 65 already have brain plaques linked to progressive dementia, even if their brain function is totally normal.  That’s because the process starts years or decades before full-fledged memory loss and dementia kick in. Cognitive mental decline is not inevitable! 

Although a genetic predisposition may be involved, so are many other factors.  And although medical science has been unable to make a difference in treating progressive cognitive impairment, natural therapies have been found to prevent the onset of symptoms, delay the progression of mental decline and improve quality of life.

Steps to Maintaining Optimal Brain Function

1. Read the following books:

“BrainRecovery.com”, by David Perlmutter M.D.

BrainRecovery.com, written by Board Certified Neurologist David Perlmutter, M.D., is a “must read” for anyone facing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, or Stroke. It will give those people who are in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases a tremendous sense of empowerment to know brain damage, to some extent, can be reversed and that neurological diseases are not pre-determined and unmodifiable.

“This excellent and thorough book by Dr. Perlmutter is a great read for any physician or patient, and provides a very practical guide to treating neurological conditions with natural and safe remedies that have abundant scientific support.  The nutritional and oxidative therapies that he recommends are part of a growing wave of scientifically based, complementary treatments." 

"Any patient would benefit from his advice, and all physicians should learn of these treatments if they want to do the best for their patients.  Dr. Perlmutter’s advice could improve the lives of millions of patients and their families, and save health care dollars at the same time”. 

-Michael Janson, M.D.,  President, American College for Advancement in Medicine

"The Better Brain Book", by David Perlmutter M.D.

The Better Brain Book, also written by David Perlmutter, M.D., is similar to BrainRecovery.com only it is written in layman's terms, with less emphasis on scientific research.  Dr. Perlmutter addresses all the factors that can influence brain health and gives you detailed recommendations for dealing with them.  This book is excellent for helping you understand risk factors associated with specific brain disorders, and for tailoring a diet and supplementary program just for you.

"Beating Alzheimer’s – A Step towards Unlocking the Mysteries of Brain Diseases”,  by Tom Warren

Beating Alzheimer’s – "A Step towards Unlocking the Mysteries of Brain Diseases" by Tom Warren is a equally important book, for it details the remarkable personal story of how one man reversed the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.  In it, Tom outlines the step-by-step plan that he followed to free himself from the grips of this relentless disease. 

Fifteen years ago at age 50, Tom Warren received the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. He was told by his doctors that he had no more than seven years to live, and that there was nothing he or anybody else could do to stop it. Tom had the brain scans to prove that his brain had atrophied in the frontal and temporal regions. Not only is Tom alive and well today, but he has completely reversed his brain atrophy, dementia and the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

Up until now, the key word for cognitive progressive impairment has been "prevention”.  By taking antioxidants, B vitamins, turmeric, etc., you could possibly prevent the onset of memory loss and mental decline.  Nothing, however, was known about how to stop or reverse progressive cognitive dementia.  Based on the experience of Tom Warren, it seems possible that progressive loss of mental functioning can be stabilized, and symptoms can even be reversed.

One important risk factor for the development of a progressive brain disorder or dementia is exposure to the toxic metal aluminum.  According to Dr. Perlmutter, the science connecting Alzheimer’s and aluminum appears in our most highly respected journals, including The Lancet and the journal Neurology.  According to Michael A. Weiner, executive director of the Alzheimer Research Institute, aluminum is the only metal noted to accumulate in the tangle-bearing neurons characteristic of the disease.  The brains of people with progressive dementia are teeming with aluminum, and other studies have found higher concentrations of the toxic metal mercury as well.

How aluminum and mercury increase the risk of a progressive cognitive impairment is now fairly well understood.  Like other toxic metals, mercury and aluminum increase the formation of dangerous free radicals, leading to the damage of the delicate brain neurons.  Ways to avoid exposure to aluminum, mercury and other toxic metals include drinking purified water and avoiding foods and other substances that are high in these metals:

Mercury, besides leaking from teeth fillings, is also found in fish, cosmetics, pesticides, paint, plastics, fungicides, fabric softeners and contact lens solutions.

Aluminum is found in soft drink cans, cookware, cheeses, baking powder, deodorants, white flour, tap water, stomach antacids, toothpaste and laxatives.   Avoid any food or drink that comes in an aluminum can.  Use a roll-on or stick antiperspirant if it contains aluminum – inhaled aluminum particles from aerosol sprays may be the most dangerous of all because they travel directly to the brain.

How can you tell if you have been exposed to toxic metals and are carrying toxic metal ions in the body?  You can do one or two simple home tests to find out.  Since health professionals agree that toxic metals are a foundational component of the development of progressive brain disorders, it can be extremely helpful to identify these toxic metals in your body.

The Comprehensive Hair Analysis by Trace Elements, Inc. gives you readings for 15 essential minerals, 8 toxic elements and 15 additional elements. Each analysis comes with a 6-12 page report from the laboratory itself, which includes a metabolic profile, and recommendations for foods, diet and supplements. The cost to get a comprehensive analysis like this from a doctor can cost up to $150.00.

4.  Take All Reasonable Treatments to Remove Toxins From the Body.

According to Dr. Thomas Nissen, an expert in Environmental Medicine, detoxifying the body of  toxic metals is the first priority for helping people with progressive cognitive impairment.  As we have seen, heavy metal toxins play a major role in brain and other neurological disorders, so neutralizing these toxins is highly important.  As well, when the body is loaded with toxic metals, nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals are not easily absorbed – the toxic metals bind up the receptor sites in the nervous system.

According to Dr. James Balch, M.D., it is probable that exposure to excessive amounts of aluminum and mercury, especially when combined with a lack of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, predisposes a person to developing cogntive dementia.

For more info on how detoxification therapy can help, click here for our Heavy Metal Toxicity report>>

Ginkgo Biloba (Standardized Extract)
Ginkgo Biloba is the world's number one herb for mental nourishment. The use of ginkgo goes back centuries, and Ginkgo Biloba is licensed in both France and Germany for the treatment of a variety of brain disorders. A German stury done in 1994 involving forty patients found that 240 mg of Ginkgo Biloba taken daily for three months produced measurable improvements in memory, attention and mood.
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In another trial entitled " A Placebo-Controlled Double-blind, Randomized Trial of an Extract of Ginkgo Biloba for Dementia, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the progress of over 200 patients with dementia were evaluated over a one year period. Half the group received Ginkgo Biloba, and the other half received a placebo. At the completion of the study, the group receiving the gingko actually improved their mental functioning, as demonstrated on a standardized psychological test, while the placebo group showed a progressive decline. According to Dr. Perlmutter, the authors of the study concluded that Ginkgo Biloba was "safe and appears capable of stabilizing and...improving the cognitive performance and the social functioning of demented patients for 6 months to 1 year". Be sure to use a Ginkgo Biloba product that has been standardized to 24% Ginkgolflavonglycosides and 6% Terpene Lactones. Suggested use is 120 mg two to three times a day.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

According to Dr. David Williams, researchers in Germany discovered that when patients with progressive mental decline were given alpha lipoic acid, their condition stabilized and they didn’t experience any loss of cognitive function.  He stated that there is no drug therapy that can totally halt the progressive loss of mental function as alpha lipoic acid was able to do in the German study. 

There are two forms of alpha-lipoic acid, an S-form and an R-form. Researchers believe that R-Form may be "up to 12 times more effective" than regular alpha lipoic acid which contains a synthetic by-product.

R-PLUS™ contains both R-Lipoic acid (RLA) and R-Dihydrolipoic acid (R-DHLA), which is the reduced form of RLA. They function together as a powerful antioxidant pair with the ability to quench free radicals in the lipid and water-soluble portions of the tissues and cells. Evidence suggests that the "redox-couple" is more powerful together than either compound alone.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine is readily converted into the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is known to be extremely deficient in patients with progressive dementia.  According to Dr. Perlmutter, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have found a striking reduction in the rate of mental decline in younger patients taking acetyl-L-carnitine over a one year period.  Results of L-carnitine supplementation include improved memory, delayed progression of mental decline and improvement in overall performance.

Vitamin E

NADH

In a clinical trial in Austria, NADH was found to improve cognitive performance as measured by two standardized performance tests.  Those patients not receiving NADH continued to decline.

The patients did not suffer any side effects.  NADH is an essential ingredient for increasing the energy production of cells in the brain, and it is also a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin B12

Several studies have stated people with Alzheimer’s disease have significantly lower blood levels of vitamin B-12.  Those with the least vitamin B-12 in their blood have the most brain impairment.  And vitamin B-12 is notoriously difficult for us to absorb:  besides being the biggest of all vitamin molecules, many best-selling drugs block B-12 absorption, and as we age our stomachs often secrete less acid so we can’t digest B-12 as well as we used to.  Also, older stomachs often secrete less “intrinsic factor”, a substance essential for B-12 absorption.  And once you are deficient, it is extremely difficult to correct. 

Lecithin

According to Dr. Perlmutter, extensive medical literature has appeared describing the important role of lecithin in preserving normal brain function. Lecithin, particularly one of its components, phosphatidylserine, improves brain cell communication and memory, and has shown benefits for early-stage cognitive decline.

Turmeric

Turmeric (also known as curcumin) was shown by researchers at the University of California to protect the brain from cognitive impairments. 

Progressive cognitive impairment is extremely rare in India, where they consume a lot of turmeric.

Huperzine A (Club Moss)

According to Dr. James Balch, one clinical trial found that 58 percent of people studied had significant improvements in memory as well as mental and behavioral function, from taking 200 mcg of huperzine A twice a day for 8 weeks.  This was considered a statistically significant improvement.

Other Symptoms of Cognitive Dementia Include:

• Sudden mood swings
• Impaired judgement
• Difficulty following directions
• Difficulty finding the right word
• Behavior changes
• Hallucinations and delusions