027 463 9229
Juelle Hunt
Naturopath & Medical Herbalist
Vibrational Energy Therapist
BNatMed, MNZAMH
(09) 2357658 or 027 463 9229
Balance as You Age | Anti-Aging| Sanesco Health | Memory Loss| Alzheimer's | Neurodegenerative Diseases

Balance As You Age

New finding suggests that neurotransmitter imbalances may contribute to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease

Even if we plan on living long and fulfilling lives, we are met with the scary confrontation that as we age we are more susceptible to developing a neurodegenerative disease that has no clear cause or cure.  It is even scarier that individuals at the pinnacle of health in their old age are still susceptible to these types of diseases.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease of particular concern to those who are aging and to those whose loved ones are aging. One in three seniors in the US dies of Alzheimer’s or a similar version of dementia1. Alzheimer’s is characterized by loss of memories and cognitive function as synapses and neurons in the cerebral cortex and other brain regions begin to deteriorate. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, and researchers and doctors are uncertain what exactly causes Alzheimer’s and there is no cure1. However, a recent study suggested that the supplementation of three nutrients decreased the severity of Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice2.

N-acetyl cysteine is a precursor to glutathione and an antioxidant, acetyl-L-Carnitine is a strong antioxidant that also raises the levels of ATP and protects mitochondria, and S-adenosylmethionine facilitates the use of glutathione and sustains acetylcholine. The mice supplemented with these three nutrients showed a 70% improvement in cognitive deficiencies and a decrease in aggressive interactions (two of the main symptoms of Alzheimer’s).  This finding suggests that neurotransmitter imbalances may contribute to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease; as NAC, ALCAR and SAMe all contribute to maintaining neurotransmitter balance2.

Although the direct cause of Alzheimer’s is still unclear, it is clear that nutrient supplementation played a large part in the relief of symptoms from the disease. Other studies suggest that vitamin and antioxidant supplementation can help counter oxidative stress from free radical damage, cell death and inflammation associated with aging3. These studies suggest that a combination of nutraceutical supplements could play a part in reversing or relieving the cognitive and aggressive symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, different neurodegenerative diseases and aging.

1. Latest Facts & Figures Report | Alzheimer’s Association. (n.d.). Latest Facts & Figures Report | Alzheimer’s Association. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp
2.Shea, T. B. (2007). Effects of dietary supplementation with N-acetyl cysteine, acetyl-L-carnitine and S-adenosyl methionine on cognitive performance and aggression in normal mice and mice expressing human ApoE4. Neuromolecular medicine9(3), 264-269.
3. Joseph, J. A., Shukitt-Hale, B., &Casadesus, G. (2005). Reversing the deleterious effects of aging on neuronal communication and behavior: beneficial properties of fruit polyphenolic compounds. The American journal of clinical nutrition81(1), 313S-316S.