Alzheimer’s Disease and Natural Botanical Formulations

Alzheimer’s Disease is surely the sword of Damocles everybody of us is afraid of. I follow the messages telling what researchers do to save us from it and received this summary today. Hope it will be interesting to you too.

New research into Alzheimer’s disease shows promising results using natural botanical formulations to prevent the build up of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. It’s long been noted that people in India have a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. One factor contributing to this may be the consumption of large quantities of the spice turmeric containing the active compound curcumin.

Curcumin has been shown to bind to plaque-forming beta-amyloid. It not only helps stop the accumulation of beta-amyloid fragments, but it has also been shown to promote their destruction. In a study using a model of Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin (BCM-95) reduced the size of beta-amyloid plaques by 30% in just one week![1]Researchers noted that this especially potent form of curcumin was more effective at stopping the formation of plaques than many experimental drugs that are being tested as potential AD treatments.

Other research has found that Vitamin D works synergistically with curcumin to clear the brain of beta-amyloid plaques.[2] Researchers hypothesize that this combination stimulates a type of immune cell called a macrophage to more aggressively seek out and clean-up beta-amyloid fragments in the brain. Additionally, curcumin and Vitamin D help protect the brain from inflammation and from damage to brain cells caused by free radicals.

Expert sources available for this story:

• Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the most frequently quoted integrative medical authorities in the world, and appears often as a guest on Oprah and Friends with Dr. Mehmet Oz, CNN, Fox, ABC and news and talk shows nationwide. He is the author of the best-selling From Fatigued to Fantastic! which has sold over 500,000 copies, and his latest book, Beat Sugar Addiction Now! (Fair Winds, March 2010).

• Chris Kilham, Medicine Hunter and Explorer in Residence at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, has trekked to over 20 countries in search of plant medicines with proven efficacy. The author of 14 books, Kilham has appeared as a guest expert on over 1500 radio programs and more than 500 TV shows worldwide including the Dr. Oz Show, ABC 20/20, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, BBC, and NPR.

Terry Lemerond, President of EuroPharma, is an icon in the natural products industry and was the first to introduce to market Gingko biloba, glucosamine sulfate, IP6, black cohosh, and botanical standardization. Terry received the Natural Products Association Industry Champion Award for his contribution to the natural products industry. He conducts educational seminars on the benefits of natural medicines and is frequently sourced by the media.

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[1]Garcia-Alloza M. Curcumin labels amyloid pathology in vivo, disrupts existing plaques, and partially restores distorted neurites in an Alzheimer mouse model. J Neurochem. 2007;102:1095-1104.[2] Masoumi A. 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 interacts with curcuminoids to stimulate amyloid-beta clearance by macrophages of Alzheimer's disease patients. J Alzheimers Dis. 2009 Jul;17(3):703-17.