This article is intended solely for informational purposes. It is not meant to be taken as, and should not be construed, as medical advice. Any changes to your lifestyle or diet should be done in consultation with your doctor or health care professional.
The New York Times recently ran an article claiming that dietary supplements can’t help against dementia or Alzheimer’s. Their “evidence” was a study showing that some people who were given Vitamin E still developed Alzheimer’s.
Saying that supplements can’t help because one particular nutrient didn’t prevent dementia in one study is poor reporting. It’s the equivalent of saying that because one medication was found not to cure pneumonia, no medication can.
And claiming that because one antioxidant didn’t help ––– in a time in which the free radical theory of aging (which viewed antioxidants as a solution to “fix” the aging process) has been largely discarded by serious researchers ––– shows how out of touch the reporter, and that particular paper, are.
The truth is that there is evidence that what we eat and the supplements we take very likely can make a difference. Many people are following a protocol similar to this, hoping that it may help:
- AVOIDING SUGAR. Most people understand the importance of avoiding fructose. But the word “sugar” here also refers to fruit and high-fructose drinks such as fruit juice. (The notion that orange juice and apple juice are “good for you” is contradicted by the actual research.) More info
- TAKING MAGNESIUM THREONATE along with vitamins D3 and K2. Why this form of magnesium? Why don’t other forms of magnesium help the brain? More info
- TAKING B-COMPLEX VITAMINS FOR BRAIN HEALTH Which ones? In what doses? More info
- TAKING LOW-DOSE LITHIUM along with PROLINE-RICH POLYPEPTIDES or colostrum. More info
- TAKING PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE and PHOSPHATIDYL CHOLINE (PS and PC) supplements (or eating foods rich in PS and PC, such as sunflower lecithin) Why it works – natural food sources – how much to take
- EATING BERRIES To lower your risk of dementia, making them a regular part of your diet. Why it works – what kind of berries to eat
- DRINKING COFFEE. (It’s actually been found in some studies to protect the brain.) MORE INFO
- EATING HEALTHY FATS, LOW CARBS AND MODERATE PROTEIN.Why it works – what to eat
- AVOIDING BAD Fncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24440006ATS, including trans fats, soy oil, and canola oil. Which kinds of fats to avoid
- GETTING PHYSICAL EXERCISE, particularly HIIT (high intensity interval training).
- EATING A KETOGENIC DIET, at least part-time (being in ketosis at least part of the day) Why it works, and how it protects your brain
- PRACTICING INTERMITTENT FASTING (or occasional PROLONGED FASTING)
- DRINKING GREEN TEA
- COOKING WITH CURCUMIN or taking it as a supplement
- USING AIR PURIFIERS. Poor air quality appears to be a strong contributing cause of dementia. Sources of pollution include traffic, industry, internal household products (including furniture), and, more and more these days, smoke from wildfires.
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The good news is that today’s air purifiers are far better than the ones that were available a few years ago.
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A genuine HEPA filter will trap microscopic particles of pollution, and a high-quality carbon filter will remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde off-gassing from furniture and carpets.
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To my mind, investing in some high quality air purifiers (and budgeting for replacement filters) is as essential as exercising, eating right, and taking anti-aging supplements.
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Advocating for strong laws to protect the quality of the air and water in our communities also strikes me as a sensible point of focus for those who are interested in living longer and healthier lives.
