On June 7th, 2021, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “conditionally” approved Aducanumab (Aduhelm), an amyloid beta-directed monoclonal antibody which treats Alzheimer’s disease by removing BetaAmyloid from the brain. Aducanumab is the first new Alzheimer’s drug since 2003, and the first potentially disease-modifying agent.
The approval is surprising, because: (1) Of (only) two trials, one showed no benefit from the drug. (2) One third of drug recipients developed brain swelling and other side effects. (3) Only 9% of patients’ Alzheimer’s improved. (4) The cost of treatment is US$56,000 per year and the drug does not produce a cure, because it only removes Amyloid present in the brain – it does not prevent production of more amyloid. (5) Several previous Amyloid-removing drugs had no beneficial effect on Alzheimers patients.
SO MAYBE THE BEST SUGGESTION IS, LOOK AFTER YOURSELF. Don’t wait for a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, because by the time it’s diagnosed, half of your brain power is gone and cannot be rebuilt. Instead, reduce your chances of devleoping Alzheimer’s by attention to and maintenance of your hormone balance.
The point here is that while we do not have proof that optimal hormone balance reduces our liability to Alzheimer’s, balancing does no harm, provides many benefits and should be done anyway.
WITH THIS IN MIND, HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR PRE-ALZHEIMER’S SUBJECTS:
In managing ageing generally and for Alzheimer’s prevention in particular, try to ensure that the hormonal milieu in which your body functions is optimal for cell maintenance and efficiency. (1) If your hormones are unbalanced, the nutrients you take will not work as well, so the first thing to do is to “balance” your hormones: first the “neurosteroid” hormones, which provide a “level base” for all the cells in your body and then thyroid hormone (“T3”), which is necessary for the efficient function of every cell. (2) Supply your body with the vitamins, “essential” amino acids and minerals which it needs to run itself as it should. (3) Read ‘the end of Alzheimer’s, by Dr. Dale Bredesen.
REGARDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, SEE THE LIST BELOW: ITEMS MARKED WITH ** ARE ADVISED FOR EVERYONE AND THOSE MARKED WITH * ARE IMPORTANT. Unmarked items are reliably present in food, or only helpful for various conditions/diagnoses. Discuss this with a pharmacist or health food store: ask for products with combinations of nutrients. NOTE THAT THIS IS A HUGE LIST, OF WHICH YOU MAY NEED ONLY A SELECTION. DISCUSS IT WITH A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE, NATUROPATHIC, OR HERBALIST PROFESSIONAL.
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS AND MINERALS: Acetyl L-carnitine**, 500 mg …….. works with CoQ10, maintains mitochondria, heart, muscles, brain and nerves. Chromium Picolinate*, 25 µg ……… if your diet includes cruciferous vegetables, you probably don’t need chromium. Citicholine*, 250 mg twice daily ….. Helps the brain, assists the adrenals. Do not take if you have PCOS or diabetes. CoQ 10**, or Ubiquinol, 200 mg …. Supports mitochondria. Destroyed by statins. A “must” for those taking statins. Magnesium Threonate**, 200 – 400 mg, or sufficient to relieve constipation without producing loose stool. Melatonin**, 1–10 (? 20) mg, as tolerated ……… available as drops, tablets. Sublingual is probably best ………… Melatonin is the second most important antioxidant: look it up !! Methyl Tetrahydrofolate (MTHF, Vitamin B9)** 1 – 5 mg …………… do not take “folic acid”. NAC (N-acetylcysteine), 600 – 1800 mg** ……… replenishes glutathione, the most important antioxidant. Nicotinamide riboside (Vitamin B3)**, 100 mg ….. Anti-inflammatory, facilitates exercise, helps heart and kidneys. Omega-3*, 1 g ….. A healthy diet includes sufficient omega-3, but if “brain building”, take 1–2 g. Pyrroloquinoline quinone, (“PQQ”) 20 mg** supports, stimulates and regenerates mitochondria, helps cognition. Resveratrol**, 100 mg: ………… drinking red wine does not provide sufficient resveratrol. Selenium, 200 – 400 µg, for normal thyroid function and to prevent/treat autoimmune diseases. Trimethyl glycine (betaine)*, 500 mg twice daily…. produces SAMe. Anti-inflammatory, anti-homocysteine. Zinc**, 40 mg: do not add copper, unless instructed to do so by your HC provider.
VITAMINS: Some combination of the following (most of these are present in a normal diet, so if you are healthy and eat well, there is no need to adhere closely to the dosages noted below).
Vitamin B complex: take a VBCo pill once or twice daily. Vitamin B preparations, made by many different manufacturers, are more or less equal: pick one based on how closely its ingredients match the list below: Vitamin B1* (Thiamine), 50 mg…… Vitamin B2*(Riboflavin ):…… from many foods – supplementation is not usually necessary. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)* 100 mg ; from foods – supplementation not usually necessary. Vitamin B6*: Optimal blood level 60-100 nmol/L. Rx P5P (Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate), 2 mg ……. too much B6 is toxic. Vitamin B12: Normal blood level =138-652. Optimal = >650…….Rx methylcobalamin/Adenosyl Cobalamin 1 mg. Most of us don’t need it. Vitamin C**, 2–3 g (Linus Pauling used to recommend 9 g per day). Vitamin D3**, 3000+ iu: ask for a test – take enough to produce a blood level of 100-200 nmol/L.Vitamin E, 800 units ……… not more; in large amounts, or in combination with anticlotting agents, Vit. E slows blood clotting. Vitamin K2**, 100 mg…………… this must be “K2”, specifically.
BOTANICALS (discuss with your Naturopath, Herbalist or health food person: Curcumin, 500 mg daily. Ashwaghanda, 500 mg twice daily (reduces amyloid). Bacopa Monieri, 250 mg, twice daily (improves cholinergic neurotransmitter systems). Gotu kola, 500 mg twice daily (improves alertness). Lion’s mane, 500 mg (increases nerve growth factor). Rhodiola, 200 mg (antianxiety). Shankhpushpi (“skullcap”), 2 caps (enhances branching of neurons). Guggul, 300 mg with meals (absorbs toxins in the bowel). Black cumin:? Dosage (antiallergic, immune booster, antioxidant, ? Bactericidal for H. pylori).
Hormone Therapy Explained 