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“Homocysteine” – Is this what really causes Alzheimer’s?

A recent survey found that a staggering 92% of people said they had “senior moments” every day.  Do you constantly “misplace” your car keys? Or get up and walk into another room, only to forget what you came there for?

I always tell people that “B” Vitamins are called “B for Brain”. Every action of the brain needs lots and lots of B vitamins, every single day. Yet, these are practically non-existent in the Standard American Diet (SAD). No wonder its called SAD; unhappiness, anger tantrums and depression are the first signs of vitamin B deficiency in the brain.

But lack of B vitamins can lead to something far worse. Alzheimer’s, the unknown disease just a few years ago now seems to strike every single family with devastating effect.

My own family has been “struck” by Alzheimer’s. My dear old Auntie Gladys, was reduced to a life of a zombie, living in a constant fog, not recognizing any of us towards her untimely death a few years ago.

But good news is here! Mother Nature, as always, has an answer!

“Homocysteine” – Is this what causes Alzheimer’s?

The next time you get a cholesterol check up, ask for – NO, DEMAND – a “Homocysteine” check as well. Most doctors won’t tell you to get one because there is no kickback of big buck$ from drug companies, as there is no drug for treating homocysteine.

Homocysteine occurs naturally in the bloodstream and comes from an amino acid called “methionine”, which is present in all animal and vegetable protein. As part of the digestive process, methionine is broken down into homocysteine. As long as certain helper nutrients are present (like vitamin B6) homocysteine subsequently converts back into one of two harmless amino acids.

Guess what?

The typical American diet is chronically low in vitamin B6 and nowhere near the amount needed to protect the body. Just last week we introduced a new study out of Oxford University suggesting high doses of B vitamins (B6, B12, Folate) may HALVE THE RATE of brain shrinkage in older people experiencing some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Click here to read the full article.

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Vitamin B "puts off" Alzheimer's

Next to “Cancer”, the most frightening word in everyday language is “Alzheimer’s”. It strikes without warning and finding a “cure” is next to impossible, researchers say.

But just yesterday, groundbreaking news hit my desk from England about an in-depth study that shows dramatic hope to “put off” Alzheimer’s and maybe totally beat it.

Illustration by Stacy Janis
Source: Alzheimer's Association

A new trial suggests high doses of B vitamins may HALVE THE RATE of brain shrinkage in older people experiencing some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Brain shrinkage is one of the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, which often leads to dementia. Here’s some quick facts on brain shrinkage:

  • The average brain shrinks at a rate of 0.5% a year after the age of 60.
  • The brains of those with mild cognitive impairment shrink twice as fast. (1.0%)
  • Alzheimer’s patients have brain shrinkage of 2.5% a year.

If we can find a way to slow the rate of brain shrinkage, this could be the first step towards finding a way to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, researchers believe.

The study, published in the journal Public Library of Science One from Oxford University included members from several departments within the University, including members from the Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA), looked at 168 elderly people experiencing levels of mental decline known as mild cognitive impairment. This condition, marked by mild memory lapses and language problems, is beyond what can be explained by normal aging and can be a precursor to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

In the trial study, one-half of the volunteers were given a daily tablet containing the B vitamins Folate, B6 and B12 at levels well above the recommended daily amount. The other half were given a placebo. After two years, the rate at which their brains had shrunk was measured.

The clinical trial found that on average, in those taking vitamin supplements, brain shrinkage slowed by 30%. In some cases it slowed by more than 50%, making their brain atrophy about the same as people without cognitive impairment.

Did you catch that? Up to 50% improvement! This is significant by any measurement.

Continue reading “Vitamin B "puts off" Alzheimer's”