Foods that Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Salad Dressing, Nuts, Fish, Poultry, and Some Fruits and Veggies May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

April 12, 2010 -- A low-fat diet with a lot of salad dressing, nuts, poultry, and certain fruits and vegetables may help prevent Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Researchers say evidence is mounting on which foods may prevent Alzheimer's disease. But because foods are not eaten in isolation and may work together to prevent disease, more information is needed on dietary patterns that reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In the study, published in the Archives of Neurology, researchers analyzed the dietary patterns of 2,148 people aged 65 and older living in New York. The participants gave information about their diets and were evaluated for signs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia every year and a half over a four-year period.

Researchers analyzed dietary intake for seven nutrients that have been shown in previous studies to be associated with dementia risk: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and Folinic Acid.

By the end of the study, 253 participants developed Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the study showed one particular dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. The diet included low amounts of high-fat dairy products, red meat, organ meat, and butter. Foods in this diet that appeared to fight Alzheimer's disease were salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry, tomatoes, fruits, and cruciferous and dark and green vegetables.

(The oils in the salad dressings should have no partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or canola oil. Olive oil and hemp oil is good. The nuts shouldn't be peanuts unless they fit this criteria. And the nuts should be roasted or in some form where the phytates are broken down. Poultry should be organic. And sulfurous vegetables such as broccoli or kale usually work best for our kids if they are cooked and not raw. -Andi)

Researchers say the combination of nutrients and foods in this particular dietary pattern may fight Alzheimer's in a variety of ways.

"For example, vitamin B12 and folate are homocysteine-related vitamins that may have an impact on Alzheimer's disease via their ability of reducing circulating homocysteine levels, vitamin E might prevent Alzheimer's disease via its strong antioxidant effect, and fatty acids may be related to dementia and cognitive function through atherosclerosis, thrombosis, or inflammation via an effect on brain development and membrane functioning or via accumulation of beta-amyloid," write researcher Yian Gu, PhD, of Columbia University and colleagues.

Further Reading

• Late-Dementia Suffering Often Unnecessary
• Arthritis Drugs Linked to Lower Odds of Alzheimer's
• Low Testosterone Linked to Alzheimer’s Risk
• Vitamin B12 Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
• Fish Oil No Help Once Alzheimer's Starts
• Study: Midlife Cholesterol Not Linked to Alzheimer’s
• Walking May Cut Alzheimer's Risk
• See All Alzheimer's Research & Studies Topics

Related Posts

Why B12 & Folinic Acid for Down syndrome?
Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatment
Folic Acid Cut Alzheimer’s Risk in Half
More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meats
Fluoride & the Brain
Cinnamon can prevent and cure Alzheimer's
Fermented cod liver oil
Vitamin B 6 (Milk thistle)
EGCG (green tea extract)
Evening Primrose Oil
Coenzyme Q10
High Fructose Corn Syrup Is a Major Cause of Dementia
Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Mimics Alzheimer's Disease

More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meat
Save the Brain by Removing Toxic Aluminum

Noggin and BDNF Promotes Brain Health

Cure for Down Syndrome?
Changing Minds Foundation Protocol
Gingko: The Hows and Whys for Down Syndrome
CMF Protocol: Prozac
EGCG Green Tea Extract For Memory
Longvida Curcumin
Why Rhodiola Rosea?

Ashwagandha: Good for Brain, Not for Infants

Roobios Tea Protects Brain Against CNS Damage
Coconut Oil Info and Recipes
Fats & Oils
Six Foods that are Surprisingly High in Toxins
Acetyl -L Carnitine (ALC)
L-tyrosine: Building Block for Neurochemicals
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
Bacopa Monera Extract (BME)
Ginseng: Benefits to the Brain
Wild Blueberry Extract
Ashwagandha: Good for the Brain

Why Evening Primrose Oil?

Cinnamon can prevent and cure Alzheimer's

ANI Jun 28, 2011, 02.32pm IST

A new study has revealed that cinnamon has the potential to prevent the degenerative brain disorder, Alzheimer's disease, which affects at least one in eight Americans over the age of 65 [and 100% of people with Down syndrome -Andi].

A team of researchers from the Tel Aviv University (TAU) discovered 'Ceppt', the cinnamon extract obtained from its bark that curbs the progression of Alzheimer's.

The team isolated CEppt by grinding cinnamon and extracting the substance into an aqueous buffer solution.

They added this solution into the drinking water of mice that had been genetically altered to develop an aggressive form of Alzheimer's and fruit flies that had been mutated with a human gene that also stimulated the disorder and shortened their lifespan.

After four months, the researchers discovered that development of the disease had slowed significantly and the animals activity levels and longevity were comparable to that of their healthy peers.

They concluded that the extract had inhibited the formation of toxic amyloid polypeptide oligomers and fibrils, which compose deposits of plaque found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

"The discovery is extremely exciting. While there are companies developing synthetic AD inhibiting substances, our extract would not be a drug with side effects, but a safe, natural substance that human beings have been consuming for millennia," said Prof. Michael Ovadia, of the Department of Zoology at Tel Aviv University.

The findings indicated that CEppt may not just fight against the development of the disease, but may help to cure it after Alzheimer's molecules have already formed, according to Ovadia.

Source
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-28/health/29711907_1_amyloid-alzheimer-cinnamon

More in depth article (http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144907):

Cinnamon has properties that inhibit the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a mouse model study carried out by researchers under the direction of Prof. Michael Ovadia of the Zoology Department at Tel Aviv University’s George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences.

Several Life Sciences Faculty laboratories participated in the study, including those of Prof. Ehud Gazit (TAU’s Vice President for Research and Development), Prof. Daniel Segal, and Dr. Dan Frankel, and their students: Anat Frydman Maor and Aviad Levin. The research findings were recently published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.

Prof. Ovadia had found, in the course of past research, that an extract from the bark of the cinnamon plant possesses the ability to inhibit the infectivity of “enveloped” viruses, such as influenza, herpes, HIV, and other viruses. A later study showed that the same extract (one that is highly ultraviolet absorbent), also inhibits the accumulation of the β-amyloid (Aβ) polypeptide assemblies that cause neuron destruction and result in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study was conducted in two stages. In the first, in vitro stage, the researchers demonstrated the ability of the cinnamon-bark extract to inhibit formation of the toxic intermediate β-amyloid oligomers and of Aβ fibrils. It also became apparent, to the researchers’ surprise, that the extract was able to disassemble large intermediate oligomers and Aβ fibrils that had already formed. Thus, the extract may retroactively correct damage that has already occurred, meaning that, should it eventually be used prophylactically against Alzheimer’s disease, it might also be useful in restoring functions impaired by the accumulation of oligomers and/or fibrils.

In the second stage of the study the researchers tested the substance on experimental animals commonly used in Alzheimer’s research − fruit flies genetically altered to produce the Aβ peptide, and transgenic mice with five mutations that lead to the rapid development of Alzeimer’s disease.

In both models Alzheimer’s disease shortens the affected animals’ lifespan and causes either a reduction in their normal activity or induces aggressive behavior. When the cinnamon extract was added to the flies’ food or to the drinking water of the mice, it inhibited the development of Alzheimer’s disease: subsequently, the treated animals resembled healthy members of their species, both behaviorally and in terms of longevity.

Protection from infectious agents
Why cinnamon? Prof. Ovadia’s answer to this question is a surprising one. Fifty years ago he won second place in Israel’s National Bible Quiz for Youth. One of the quiz questions had to do with the composition of the holy ointment with which the High Priests − the Kohanim − anointed themselves before making ritual animal sacrifices.

“I had a blackout and almost lost the points, but fortunately managed to remember the components mentioned in the Ki Tisa portion and answered correctly just before the gong sounded,” Prof. Ovadia recalled. "I would recollect that question with dread whenever I read this Torah portion.”

“You have to take the bad along with the good, however, and now something good has come of it − one day it occurred to me that there must have been a good reason to provide the Kohanim with protection against the severe infection that can result from contact with animals and the blood pooling around them. Because most of the components of the anointing oil are unknown to us today (“sweet calamus,” for instance), I focused on cinnamon. And, in fact, we succeeded in isolating from it a substance with important medicinal properties, as noted above.”

Prof. Ovadia, who had already gained recognition for his work with snake venoms, thus decided to strike out on a different path and study the properties of cinnamon.

Caution: too much raw cinnamon is dangerous
Prof. Ovadia: “There is a problem with this − raw cinnamon also contains substances that are harmful to the liver. Whereas one may consume 6 to 10 grams per day without damaging the liver, to reap the substance’s medicinal benefits, however, one would have to consume tens of grams per day at least,* which starts to become dangerous. For this reason we developed a means of extracting the active substance from the cinnamon and separating it from the toxic substances.”

Tel Aviv University has submitted a patent application for the substance and its activity, via its technology transfer company, Ramot.

* I know plenty of adults with Alzheimer's disease who see benefits from 6-10 grams per day. -Andi


Cinnamon is a spice that has been around for centuries now, and is used for a variety of purposes. This spice is derived from the bark of the Cinnamomum Zeylanicum tree, and it was first utilized by ancient Egyptians as an ingredient in their embalming mixtures. Today, cinnamon is widely used in the production of wines, drinks, fragrances, perfumes, and of course, as a spice in many food items and dishes. Its medical and culinary benefits are known all around the world, and it is known to possess many benefits for a person's health.

Despite this, there are some people who are prone to and display cinnamon side effects. These side effects of cinnamon do not affect every single person, but only those people who have certain medical conditions or have highly sensitive immune and body systems. Also learn about honey and cinnamon.

Side Effects of Cinnamon
Before we explore the side effects of taking cinnamon, we must understand the reasons why people tend to take overdoses of cinnamon. The reality of the matter is that the benefits of cinnamon, greatly outweigh the side effects of cinnamon. As a result of this, some people do not realize when to stop taking cinnamon. This has an adverse reaction on their system, and even begins to display some toxic effects. It is due to this reason that over dosage of cinnamon is highly frowned upon.

Here are some of the common health benefits and advantages of cinnamon.

• Helps in controlling diabetes. Learn more about cinnamon treatment for diabetes.
• It is a natural antioxidant.
• Helps in fighting and reducing ulcers.
• Prevents tooth decay.
• Helps in controlling cholestrol levels.
• Helps in lowering blood pressure levels.
• Beneficial for people suffering from arthritis.
• Even helps to treat common cold and cough.

As you can see, there are a multitude of benefits that cinnamon offers. This might lead you to ask how is it possible that cinnamon side effects can exist. The answer to this simply lies in the overuse of cinnamon. Too much of anything is bad. Despite possessing so many great benefits, too much of this almost magical herb can only cause harm.

So now we can see what is the actual harm in consuming unhealthy amounts of cinnamon. Here are the cinnamon bark side effects that you must be aware of, and beware of.

1. A person who is suffering from kidney problems, may experience a complete shut down of the kidneys due to excessive consumption of cinnamon.
2. Cinnamon also happens to possess anti-clotting properties, so if a person is consuming some blood thinners, they should not consume cinnamon. This will result in excessive bleeding. (Ginkgo is a blood thinner.)
   
3. Some people can even develop allergic reactions to cinnamon powder. This will cause irritation and itching on the skin, and also spread rashes on the body.
4. People who have ulcers in their mouths, may experience a burning sensation and pain right after consuming cinnamon.
5. Cinnamon oils must never be consumed by a person, as they can be very dangerous to the human body.
6. Cinnamon will also lead to an increased heart rate, and dyspnea (which is a kind of respiratory disorder).
7. Women who are either pregnant, or breastfeeding, must stay away from cinnamon and items containing cinnamon.

So, these were a few commonly seen cinnamon side effects that have afflicted many people over the years. Most of these do not have any serious or long term effects, and are easily curable over a period of time. But if the excessive consumption of cinnamon is not halted, the consequences could turn out to be quite unpleasant. You must always ensure that the cinnamon you are consuming does not clash with any other medications or herbs that you take. Some herbs or medicines can have an adverse reaction with cinnamon, and leave you with a variety of problems to deal with.

By Rahul Thadani

Drug Interactions

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Taking very large doses of cassia cinnamon might harm the liver, especially in people with existing liver disease. Taking large amounts of cassia cinnamon along with medications that might also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take large amounts of cassia cinnamon if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver.

Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.

---

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Cassia cinnamon might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking cassia cinnamon along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

from: http://www.rxlist.com/cassia_cinnamon-page3/supplements.htm

Products

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?previousText=cinnamon&Ns=P_SoldQuantity|1&Ne=6&Ntt=cinnamon&x=0&y=0&ntk=products&N=32+4293081426+1000090


Related Posts

Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatment...
Coenzyme Q10
High Fructose Corn Syrup Is a Major Cause of Dementia
Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Mimics Alzheimer's Disease

More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meat
Save the Brain by Removing Toxic Aluminum

Noggin and BDNF Promotes Brain Health

Pregnant & Nursing Moms Need Choline to Help Baby
Cure for Down Syndrome?
Changing Minds Foundation Protocol
Gingko: The Hows and Whys for Down Syndrome
CMF Protocol: Prozac
EGCG Green Tea Extract For Memory
Longvida Curcumin
Prozac Cures Lazy Eye!
Why Rhodiola Rosea?

Ashwagandha: Good for Brain, Not for Infants

Roobios Tea Protects Brain Against CNS Damage
Coconut Oil Info and Recipes
Fats & Oils
Six Foods that are Surprisingly High in Toxins
Acetyl -L Carnitine (ALC)
Folic Acid Cut Alzheimer’s Risk in Half
L-tyrosine: Building Block for Neurochemicals
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
Bacopa Monera Extract (BME)
Ginseng: Benefits to the Brain
Wild Blueberry Extract
Ashwagandha: Good for Brain, Not for Infants

Why Evening Primrose Oil?

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Mimics Alzheimer's Disease

Slow cognitive decline is common in those with Down syndrome who are untreated. But, if your loved one is experiencing a rapid progressive cognitive decline, you may want to look into Hashimoto's Encephalopathy as the culprit. The following study states that it can often be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Dementia when in fact it is actually Hashimoto's Encephalopathy (different than Hashimoto's Thyroiditis). After treatment with steroids, the patients in the study recovered their skills back to where they were before. If suspected, you should look at the tests mentioned in this study that need to be done to get a correct diagnosis.

Hashimoto Encephalopathy and Down Syndrome

You +1'd this publicly. Undo

archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/66/5/663.pdfby A Brodtmann - 2009 -
Hashimoto Encephalopathy and Down Syndrome. Amy Brodtmann, MD, PhD.

What is Hashimoto Encephalopathy?

by Mary Shomon

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is the autoimmune thyroid disease that is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid. A very rare condition associated with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, a neuroendocrine disorder. Much like the antibodies in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis attack the thyroid, in Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, antibodies attack neurons in the brain. While Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is quite rare (there may only be several dozen diagnosed patients in the U.S.) it is also likely that there are many more undiagnosed sufferers. Because it is little known and its symptoms are primarily neurological, it is easy to misdiagnosis or overlook and the symptoms frequently lead to mistaken neurological diagnoses.

Some of the most common symptoms of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy include: disorientation, psychosis, tremors, concentration and memory problems, jerks in the muscles and lack of coordination, headaches, partial paralysis on the right side, and speech problems. Sometimes, patients are mistakenly diagnosed as having had a stroke, or having Alzeimer's. Typically, Hashimoto's antibodies levels will be high, and the patient may also have a diagnosable case of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, but TSH levels may also be normal.

The condition can also appear in adolescents, but is even more likely to be overlooked. The symptoms in adolescents, unlike adults, frequently include seizures, confusion and hallucinations. A drop in school performance is also a common symptom, along with progressive cognitive decline. Thyroid autoantibody levels should be evaluated in these adolescents with these symptoms, even when thyroid function tests are normal. (Distinct Pediatric Manifestations of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Described)

The primary treatment for Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is oral corticosteroid drugs - for example, Prednisone. While Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is a relapsing condition, the use of oral corticosteroids can keep the condition manageable for many patients.

Beverly Seminara , an international Hashimoto's Encephalopathy patient advocate, has researched the subject extensively on her own behalf, and has put her information together to share with other patients and practitioners. She has written the internet's only detailed patient-oriented overview of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, located at: Hashimoto's Encephalopathy: A Neuroendocrine Disorder. Seminara has created a singular resource for patients and practitioners: Hashimoto's Encephalopathy - A Complete List of Published Case Studies.

Key Resources

• More Information on Hashimoto's Encephalopathy
• More About Antibodies
• Living With Autoimmune Conditions

Beverly Seminara's Website for Patients and Practitioners

• Hashimoto's Encephalopathy - A Complete List of Published Case Studies

Sources

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hashimotos/a/encephalopathy.htm

archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/66/5/663.pdf

Related Posts

Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatment...
The Heart & Down Syndrome
Preparing for Heart Surgery/Hospital Stay
Thyroid & DS Go Hand in Hand
Celiac Disease & Down Syndrome
Anemia Causes & Cures
Cystic Fibrosis of Pancreas and Down's Syndrome
Cure for Down Syndrome?
Changing Minds Foundation Protocol

Folic Acid Cut Alzheimer’s Risk in Half

September 7, 2005 by Jean Carper

If you want to keep your mind sharp and avoid Alzheimer’s as you get older, don’t forget to take your folic acid daily. It can slash your chances of Alzheimer’s in half, says new research.

Getting 400 micrograms or more of folic acid a day cuts your risk of developing Alzheimer’s an astonishing 55 %, according to a large new study from the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia at the University of California at Irvine.

Folic acid appears more powerful than antioxidants, such as vitamin E, and other B vitamins in slowing brain aging, say researchers Maria Corrada and Dr. Claudia Kawas who studied the impact of several dietary factors on the risk of Alzheimer’s among 579 people age 60 and older who participated in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Those who got high vitamin E and vitamin B6 also had lower rates of Alzheimer’s. But only folic acid was associated with a significantly decreased risk.

Corrado, an assistant professor of neurology, noted that most people who got the amounts of folic acid needed to cut Alzheimer’s risk dramatically took folic acid supplements. The dose in food alone was not enough.

A recent Dutch study also found that older people who took 800 mcg of folic acid daily slowed brain aging by 5 years, compared with those on a placebo, as measured by scores on memory tests. For example, someone age 60 who took 800 mcg of folic acid daily had the memory of someone age 55.

Folic acid also helped prevent toxic deposits of beta amyloid, a marker for Alzheimer’s, in the brains of lab animals in tests at the National Institute on Aging. One theory is that high homocysteine due to a lack of folic acid (and other B vitamins) may damage the DNA of brain cells, promoting beta amyloid accumulation, leading to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

Source: Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, August, 2005)

To save your brain from decline as you age, be sure to get B vitamins, particularly folic acid.

That’s the message from two major new studies finding that older people with diets and blood levels low in B vitamins are more apt to suffer cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Such individuals are also more apt to have higher blood levels of homocysteine, a protein tied to heart disease and dementia. .

Of all B vitamins, folic acid is most potent in protecting the brain from the ravages of aging–such as memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s–according to the new studies–one from Tufts University and the other from the University of Bologna in Italy. Both have just been published in the September issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Italian researchers found that older men and women with low folate (folic acid) blood levels were nearly twice as apt to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s over a four-year period as those with higher blood folate.

Subjects with the least folic acid in their diets and blood also performed worst on a number of tests of memory and cognitive function in the Tufts study. Those low in B6 also scored poorly on the cognitive tests.

What’s the reason? Scientists have long speculated that B vitamins, mainly folic acid, protect the brain by reducing toxic levels of homocysteine in the blood. Some believe homocysteine directly damages brain cells and function.

However, for the first time, these two new studies say that folic acid has powers to protect the brain independently, regardless of its ability to suppress homocysteine levels.

Bottom line: Both low intake of folic acid and/ or high blood homocysteine, predict brain decline as you age.

---



Folinic vs. Folic Acid



http://www.tahomaclinic.com/folate.html



June 2010 Nutrition & Healing



Is the mainstream still cheating you out of the best health possible—with folic acid?!



Discover the stunning truth behind this essential “vitamin”—and the simple switch that’s much, much better for you



Do you remember a few years ago, when “mainstream” print and broadcast media were telling us that vitamin E was bad for our cardiovascular systems, and would increase our risk of heart attack? Turns out the whole thing was based on -you guessed it- researchers not copying Nature!



They weren’t using Nature’s own of vitamin E—a combination of alpha-, beta-, delta- and gamma-tocopherol, sometimes with alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocotrienol—in the same percentages and combinations found in Nature. Instead, they had used alpha-tocopherol only in their research—and reported an increase in cardiovascular risk.



Fortunately, since then it has been pointed out that gamma-tocopherol is more important in protecting the heart than alpha-tocopherol. In fact, supplementing alpha-tocopherol alone depresses levels of gamma-tocopherol, so increased risk to the heart isn’t altogether surprising. What can we learn from this? It’s pretty obvious—using a natural substance in a way that goes against Nature’s perfect design can cause problems.



Given the news, responsible vitamin suppliers quickly replaced alpha-tocopherol-only forms of vitamin E with “mixed tocopherols,” combinations of alpha-, beta-, delta, and gamma-tocopherols.



In a similar turn of events, recently accumulating research has found that supplemental folic acid, incorrectly identified as a vitamin (it’s actually an oxidized vitamin) since its synthetic crystallization in the 1940s, may actually accelerate cognitive decline in some older individuals. It’s also being linked to increased risk of colon and rectal cancers, increased risk of childhood asthma born to folic-acid supplemented mothers, and accelerated growth of pre-existing cancers.



There’s enough research that Reader’s Digest magazine recently published an article warning readers about the dangers of too much folic acid. Unfortunately, the article showed that not only journalists, but even medical professionals still haven’t figured out that folic acid is not the same as the naturally occurring vitamin folate.



Six of one is NOT half a dozen of the other



According to the article, a university-affiliated medical doctor stated: “We’ve known for years that getting too little folate can promote cancer. Now it looks like getting too much folic acid could be harmful too.”



Like much of the medical mainstream, he used folic acid and folate as interchangeable terms.



But folic acid is not the same as folate!



Folic acid is a single type of molecule, crystallized in 1943 by a scientist working for the patent medicine company Lederle Laboratories, then a subsidiary of American Cyanamid Corporation. Folic acid is the fully oxidized form of naturally occurring folates, which are found in leafy and green vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, romaine, lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy. Other sources include corn, beets, tomatoes, dried or fresh beans and peas, fortified sunflower seeds and some fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, banana, raspberries, and strawberries. Liver (only organic, of course) and brewer’s and baker’s yeasts are good sources of folate, too.



But—and this is important to understanding the difference between folic acid and the various naturally occuring folates—none of these vegetables, fruits, liver or yeast naturally contain even one molecule of folic acid.



How the mainstream convinced us we need folic acid, and not folate



So why is folic acid so firmly entrenched in the public and mainstream professional mind as a vitamin? For the same reasons that mainstream professionals, science writers (who should know better), and the majority of the public think that horse estrogen and human estrogen are the same thing. It’s a combination of a sloppy understanding of biochemistry and some clever patent-medicine-company-

supported and -promoted psychology.



First, the biochemistry. (Stay with me, it’s relatively easy.) Folate was originally isolated from brewer’s yeast and spinach in the 1930s. Once isolated and exposed to air it becomes unstable and breaks down, and is generally no longer useful in nutrition. But a small amount of natural folate can be transformed by oxidation (a natural process) into folic acid, a much more stable form with a very long shelf life.



While human and animal cells cannot use the folic acid molecule itself in their normal metabolic processes, human cells (principally the liver) can transform folic acid back into many of its metabolically useful folate forms. That’s why folic acid—despite not being found in food—can do so much nutritional good, the best-known example being the prevention of birth defects including spina bifida, cleft lip, and cleft palate.



As we grow older, though, our bodies are increasingly slow at transforming folic acid into usefully metabolized folates. That’s probably why scientists are finding that folic acid (not folate) is associated with cognitive decline in the elderly. Some of these studies have shown significantly elevated levels of un-metabolized (and therefore not useful) folic acid building up in the bloodstreams of supplemented older individuals.



In addition to worsening folic acid metabolism with age, there are also a significant number (as high as 5 percent or more in some populations) of survivable human genetic defects of folate metabolism which make it more difficult or, in some circumstances, impossible for sufferers to make metabolic use of folic acid.



Now, the psychology. Imagine you’re the sales and marketing arm of a patent medicine company. Which would you rather produce and sell: A then-process-patentable substance (folic acid) or an un-patentable substance (folate)? A substance with a longer shelf life (folic acid), or a substance that breaks down very rapidly on exposure to heat, cold, or light—even from “just sitting there” (folate)? A substance that’s less expensive to manufacture and process (folic acid), or a more expensive substance (folate)? The answer is pretty obvious—from a marketing point of view, folic acid wins every time.



And in this case, by great good luck, folic acid does do some good. It can be re-metabolized into various metabolically useful forms in most people—particularly younger people. So of course folic acid is promoted as a vitamin—even though it’s not found naturally in food—and manufacturers happily encourage everyone to speak of it interchangeably with folate, just as the Wyeth company so successfully confused Premarin with human estrogen in the public mind.



As usual, the mainstream way does more harm than the natural way



So since the 1940s, when physicians wanted to give their patients supplemental folate, they were taught to start with folic acid under one or another brand name. Even I was taught that at the University of Michigan in the 1960s. Supplement companies have sold folic acid, too, as it appeared to do the job, and there were for years no reports of harm. In fact there was very little, if any, research into potential harm.



But now that there is enough evidence of potential harm from folic acid, it’s time for all of us who want the benefits to switch back to the forms of folate found in food, which our bodies can use more efficiently and effectively than folic acid. Of course, we should always start by eating as much folate-containing food as possible, and as fresh as possible, too.



Remember, naturally occurring folates break down quite rapidly with heat, cold, light, even when they’re still in the food. Because of this naturally rapid breakdown, even the most avid vegetable and fruit eaters often need folate supplementation. (For a simple way to find out if you’re among them, see “Overlooked blood test could be the key to your good health” below.) Fortunately, about a year or two ago, responsible supplement suppliers began to make individual folate (not folic acid) supplements available. Some suppliers have just started to include various forms of folate in multiple vitamins and other combinations.



So it’s time to make folic acid supplements a part of history, and use only forms of naturally occurring folate when we use supplements. A little bit of folic acid (100 to 200 micrograms, the amount found in many multiple vitamins at present) is not likely to be a problem, but more taken daily for years just might raise your long-term risk of colorectal cancer or cognitive decline. If higher amounts are unavoidable (for example, until all prenatal vitamins switch from folic acid to folate), taking additional folate will very likely offset the folic acid still found in the multiple. If you’re apprehensive, consult a physician skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional and natural medicine.



It’s very likely that within a relatively short time enough responsible supplement suppliers will switch from folic acid to folate in all their supplements, individual and combination, so you won’t need to read all the labels so closely to make sure you’re getting folate and not folic acid.



One last point you may be wondering about: Is there such a thing as “too much of a good thing” when it comes to naturally occurring folate supplementation?



Unless you have vitamin B12 deficiency or cancer, it’s very unlikely to be a problem. In the case of vitamin B12 deficiency, supplemented folate—even naturally occurring folate—can “cover up” some of the deficiency signs in blood tests. But preventing that is simple: Take extra vitamin B12 whenever you take extra folate! Some suppliers even combine the two, or put them with the rest of the B-complex vitamins.



But if you have cancer, it’s of course best to discuss folate (not folic acid) supplementation with a physician skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional and natural medicine. To find one in your area, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine. JVW



Where to get it: Naturally occurring folate in supplements



At present, two types of folates that occur naturally in foods are available as over-the-counter supplements. One is folinic acid, usually sold over-the-counter as “calcium folinate.” Calcium folinate is also available by prescription as Leucovorin®, which, unfortunately, is considerably more expensive and also contains FD&C yellow #10 and FD&C blue # 1, neither of which improves clinical results.



The other over-the-counter naturally occurring folate presently available is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. It’s more expensive than over-the-counter calcium folinate, but more likely to be effective for individuals with “hidden” genetic defects in folate metabolism.



There’s also at least one B-complex and one multiple vitamin-mineral combination containing calcium folinate and methylcobalamin (the more metabolically active form of B12) available over-the-counter. By the time this newsletter is printed, it’s very likely more than one of each of these will be available, too.



The availability of supplemental folates that occur naturally in foods has solved another problem I’d been observing in a minority of individuals since the 1970s. Although the large majority of people who tested poorly for individually optimal levels of folate on a test called the neutrophilic hypersegmentation index (see “Overlooked blood test could be the key to your good health” below) significantly improved their levels by taking folic acid supplements, a small but significant number had little to no improvement at all. For this group, all I could tell them was to eat as much folate-containing food as possible, and forget the folic acid supplements.



But since supplemental calcium folinate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate have become available, nearly every patient with a previously abnormal neutrophilic hypersegmentation index has improved with their use.



Overlooked blood test could be the key to your good health



If you’re serious about good health and longevity, or if you have any chance at all of becoming pregnant, there’s an inexpensive but critically important blood test that’s too often overlooked. Although it’s simple, quick, and easy to do, many clinical laboratories don’t do it because there’s “no demand.”



It’s called the “neutrophilic hypersegmentation index.” It is a mouthful to say, but for decades it has been—and still is—the best test of your personal folate status. Not how your folate level compares with other peoples’, but how optimal your own level is.



To do that, the neutrophilic hypersegmentation index (NHI) determines what percentage of your neutrophils—a type of white blood cell—were supplied with an optimal amount of folate while they were growing and maturing. Of course, optimal is 100 percent. But before we get into how to boost your own score, it’s important to know some of the scientific background that explains why this test is so important.



When neutrophils are “born” and “incubate” in bone marrow, their chromosomes—DNA—arrange themselves into five segments. A final step in neutrophil DNA maturation is re-arrangement of those five segments into three. Normal folate metabolism is a key to this final step. Very shortly after the five-to-three segment DNA re-arrangement, the fully mature neutrophil is released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, where it lives out its months-long life doing its job—one very important part of which is defending our bodies against germs.



But if there isn’t enough folate, the neutrophil’s DNA stays in five (instead of three) segments. When the neutrophil is needed, it’s released into the bloodstream anyway, where it’s called a hypersegmented (too many segments) neutrophil. Fortunately, a hypersegmented neutrophil can still fight germs as well as a “regular,” three-segmented neutrophil.



Planning a family? Why you MUST have this test



After a blood sample is drawn, a technician with a microscope can easily see and count the number of DNA segments in each neutrophil. The “hypersegmentation index” is the percentage of five-segment neutrophils counted in a total of one hundred neutrophils.



Neutrophils, other circulating blood cells, and the cells that line our gastrointestinal tracts are the most rapidly dividing cells in our bodies. So if there’s a shortage of any of the three key nutrients for keeping cell division normal—folate, vitamin B12, and/or zinc—these rapidly dividing cells are likely to show the effects first. So the “neutrophilic segmentation index” actually tells us whether the most rapidly dividing cells in our bodies have enough folate. If these cells do, then it’s very likely that every cell in our bodies has enough folate.



One of the saddest test reports I’ve had to share with anyone was an NHI of 47 percent reported for a woman who was already pregnant. As you may have expected, her baby was born with a birth defect.



Every woman who has any chance at all of becoming pregnant should have this test done! If it’s abnormal, and she’s planning on a pregnancy soon, she should take a series of folinic acid injections (see above “Where to get it: Naturally-occurring folate in supplements”. ) right away, preferably with the methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12, so there’s enough folate (and B12) immediately available for any newly conceived infant.



Why the rush? Well, the most common birth defect—neural tube defect—occurs on days 27–29 after conception, before many women are even certain that they are pregnant.



For the rest of us (as well as newly-folinic-acid-injected potential moms) an abnormal NHI means you need to take a closer look at your diet and make some necessary adjustments—most notably adding in more sources of folate, particularly green vegetables, beans, peas, brewer’s yeast, and (organic only!) liver. A folinic acid or methylfolate supplement is important, too, at least until the test normalizes.



A basic nutrient for cancer and heart disease protection



But pregnancy—or the possibility of pregnancy—isn’t the only time folate levels are important. Folate (along with vitamin B12 and zinc) are all critical to normal cell division and DNA repair, which means they’re all essential tools for cancer prevention. Adequate folate lowers the risk of a variety of cancers, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, but also breast, pancreatic, cervix, and lung.



It’s almost certain further research will add other cancers to this list. However, for those who already have cancer in any form, it’s not yet clear whether or not supplemental folate may accelerate cancer growth as fully oxidized folic acid has been found to do in some studies.



Along with vitamins B6 and B12, folate helps keep levels of the natural human metabolite homocysteine low in our bodies. Considerable research shows that increasingly higher homocysteine levels are associated with increasingly higher levels of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.



It’s true that in 2008, researchers reported that supplemental folic acid (not folate), B12, and B6 were effective at lowering homocysteine but were ineffective in reducing “major cardiovascular events” and deaths, but (once again) it’s very likely that this study used folic acid—which isn’t as easily metabolized in older individuals (rather than methylfolate)— along with less-than-optimally active forms of vitamin B12 and B6.



So, despite this (likely flawed) study, if your homocysteine levels are high, I still recommend eating more folate-containing vegetables, and, if necessary, taking enough supplemental methylfolate, methylcobalamin, and pyridoxal phosphate to keep your level low. If you do, your risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis will likely be lower, too.



Research indicates that other benefits of supplemental folate may include reduction of stroke risk and macular degeneration, and improvement in depression, as well as improvement in memory and mental agility in older individuals.



When enough is enough



I’ve been using this test as part of routine “good health” testing for nearly everyone for over 30 years, and rarely see a result of under 5 percent (which shows insufficient folate). So the goal is always to bring that level as close to 0 percent as possible.



But if you want to be really “engineering precise,” a level of 1 to 2 percent hypersegmented neutrophils—meaning that 98 to 99 percent of those white cells received enough folate—may be the best outcome to aim for. Why isn’t 0 percent even better? An engineer friend once explained it like this: “Once I get to 0 percent, there’s no -10 or –20 percent reading to tell me that it’s 10 or 20 percent more than I really need, so I’m going to keep mine very slightly under rather than go over.”



It’s a good point—and leads to the next question: Is there any danger of “overdose” with folate? Except when cancer is already present, it’s not very likely. I’ve never seen it happen in over 35 years of practice. But no one knows for certain. So keeping your NHI at a level of 1 to 2 percent ensures that your folate levels are optimal without “overdoing” it.



And increasing folate-containing foods in the diet and (in the majority) adding supplemental folate almost always brings the test to that optimal level.



The NHI is simple enough to be done by any laboratory with a microscope and a skilled technician, but many labs still don’t do it. Why? Well, it requires a smear of blood on a microscope slide and isn’t done by machine. However, blood specimens can also be sent to Meridian Valley Laboratory in Washington state, where state law makes it possible for individuals to order their own lab tests.



JVW



Products

Jett & I take:

http://www.vitacost.com/Source-Naturals-MegaFolinic It divides well with a pill cutter & then I crush it to make sure he can ingest it.



and I also take:

http://www.vitacost.com/Metagenics-FolaPro-60-Tablets but, it's a tablet and gets destroyed if you want to divide it, so next time, I'm getting this one:

http://www.vitacost.com/Thorne-Research-5-MTHF-5-Methyl-tetrahydrofolate

because it's a capsule.

I included both of these because folinic acid is used for some ARN and ADN synthesis and methylfolate is mainly used for methionine regeneration so both are needed see: http://www.knowyourgenetics.com/The%20Methylation%20Pathway_files/supplmentation-1.jpg

Supposedly moms with MTHFR mutation or methionine sintasa mutation will benefit more from methylfolate. (I don't know if I have it, but I'm just assuming I do because of the symptoms and the fact that Jett has DS.)

Children with DS who don't have the same mutation as the mother will benefit more with folinic acid, but some of them also carry the same mutation as the mother and some of the father too.

Some with DS react adversely to folinic acid because they seem to have the mother and or father's mutation because folinic acid converts back to folic acid. (But you would know if it caused a problem by now.)

So you can test your child for those mutations too or check how s/he reacts to folinic acid and other methyl donors if s/he is ok with that, probably just folinic acid is best for him rather than methylfolate because if he does not have the mthfr mutations his methylfolate can accumulate.

Related Posts



Cure for Down Syndrome?

Changing Minds Foundation Protocol

Gingko: The Hows and Whys for Down Syndrome

CMF Protocol: Prozac

Jett's Complete Protocol

EGCG Green Tea Extract For Memory

Longvida Curcumin

How to Prevent DS in Your Next Child in 60% of Mom...

Tests and Treatment for Mom

Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatment...

Why Rhodiola Rosea?

Ashwagandha: Good for Brain, Not for Infants

Roobios Tea Protects Brain Against CNS Damage

Heal the Gut, Heal the Child

Fermented Cod Liver Oil

Coconut Oil Info and Recipes

Acetyl -L Carnitine (ALC)

Piracetam

L-tyrosine: Building Block for Neurochemicals

Coenzyme Q10

High Fructose Corn Syrup Is a Major Cause of Demen...

Phosphatidylserine

Vinpocetine

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)

Bacopa Monera Extract (BME)

Ginseng: Benefits to the Brain

Wild Blueberry Extract

Ashwagandha: Good for Brain, Not for Infants

Overview of Benefits

Known as a revitalizing tonic for the brain and body, ashwagandha is also a herb becoming recognized for its ability to enhance cognition and rebuild components of the neuronal network in damaged brains.

Inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the chemical neurotransmitter in the brain which functions to optimize mental clarity and memory. Many diseases in the brain are associated with low levels of acetylcholine. Levels of acetylcholine can be raised by inhibiting the enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) which breaks down acetylcholine. Ashwagandha is a natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and can increase levels of acetylcholine. The most commonly prescribed drugs for mental dementia also work on this principle.

Regeneration of neuronal network. Therapeutic and long lasting changes to damaged brains requires regeneration of the neuronal network. In mice which have suffered amlyoid induced neuron atrophy (as in Alzheimer’s disease), ashwagandha (as well as panax ginseng) were shown to regenerate axons, dendrites and reconstruct synapses in damaged neurons. The mice in these studies showed a significant improvement in memory function.

More Details

Ashwagandha, an exotic Indian herb, has remarkable stress-relieving properties comparable to those of powerful drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. In addition to its excellent protective effects on the nervous system, ashwagandha may be a promising alternative treatment for a variety of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Ashwagandha has powerful antioxidant properties that seek and destroy the free radicals that have been implicated in aging and numerous disease states.

Powerful Protective Effects on the Nervous System

Stress, environmental toxins, and poor nutrition all have a detrimental impact on our nervous systems.

Scientific studies support ashwagandha’s ability not only to relieve stress, but also to protect brain cells against the deleterious effects of our modern lifestyles.

For example, in validated models of anxiety and depression, ashwagandha has been demonstrated to be as effective as some tranquilizers and antidepressant drugs. Specifically, oral administration of ashwagandha for five days suggested anxiety-relieving effects similar to those achieved by the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam (Ativan®), and antidepressant effects similar to those of the prescription antidepressant drug imipramine (Tofranil®).1

Stress can cause increased peroxidation of lipids, while decreasing levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase. When ashwagandha extract was administered by re-searchers one hour before a daily stress-inducing procedure, all of the aforementioned parameters of free radical damage normalized in a dose-dependent manner.2 Premature aging associated with chronic nervous tension may be related to increased oxidative stress, which is abolished by the potent antioxidant properties of ashwagandha extract. Researchers believe this finding supports the clinical use of ashwagandha as an anti-stress agent.

Other studies of chronic stress support these findings. For example, in a remarkable animal study, examination of the brains of sacrificed animals showed that 85% of the brain cells observed in the animals exposed to chronic stress showed signs of degeneration. It is this type of cellular degeneration that can lead to long-term cognitive difficulties. Amazingly, when ashwagandha was administered to chronically stressed animals, the number of degenerating brain cells was reduced by 80%!3
In one of the most complete human clinical trials to date, researchers studied the effects of a standardized extract of ashwagandha on the negative effects of stress, including elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Many of the adverse effects of stress are thought to be related to elevated levels of cortisol. The results were impressive. The participants subjectively reported increased energy, reduced fatigue, better sleep, and an enhanced sense of well-being. The participants showed several measurable improvements, including a reduction of cortisol levels up to 26%, a decline in fasting blood sugar levels, and improved lipid profiles. It would appear from this study that ashwagandha can address many of the health and psychological issues that plague today’s society.4

Over the past five years, the Institute of Natural Medicine at the Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan has conducted extensive research into the brain benefits of ashwagandha. The Institute’s scientists were looking for ways to encourage the regeneration of nerve cell components called axons and dendrites in validated models of the human brain. This important research may one day benefit those who have incurred brain injuries due to physical trauma, as well as those who suffer cognitive decline due to destruction of the nerve cell networks from diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Using a validated model of damaged nerve cells and impaired nerve-signaling pathways, re-searchers noted that ashwagandha supported significant regeneration of the axons and dendrites of nerve cells. Furthermore, ashwagandha extract supported the reconstruction of synapses, the junctions where nerve cells communicate with other cells. The investigators concluded that ashwagandha extract helps to reconstruct networks of the nervous system, making it a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.5

In another study at the same institute, researchers found that ashwagandha helped support the growth of nerve cell dendrites, which allow these cells to receive communications from other cells. This finding suggests that ashwagandha could help heal the brain tissue changes that accompany dementia.6

Finally, in a third published study, the researchers noted that ashwagandha helped promote the growth of both normal and damaged nerve cells, suggesting that the herb may boost healthy brain cell function as well as benefit diseased nerve cells.7

These findings provide tremendous hope that ashwagandha extracts may one day help heal neurodegenerative diseases in humans, freeing patients from the mental prisons of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Clearly, this is just the beginning of research into ashwagandha’s ability to encourage physical re-growth of the brain.

Ashwagandha also shows promise as a treatment for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, chronic neurodegenerative conditions for which there currently are no cures. In a recent study using a standardized model of human Parkinson’s disease, ashwagandha extract reversed all the parameters of Parkinson’s-type neurodegeneration significantly and in a dose-dependent manner.8 Remarkably, an earlier study showed that ashwagandha extract inhibits acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down one of the brain’s key chemical messengers. Drugs currently used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, such as Aricept®, act in this very manner to slow the progression of this frightening, mind-robbing disease.9

1. Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Sairam K, Ghosal S. Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides: an experimental study. Phytomedicine. 2000 Dec;7(6):463-9.

2. Bhattacharya A, Ghosal S, Bhattacharya SK. Antioxidant effect of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides in chronic footshock stress-induced perturbations of oxidative free radical scavenging enzymes and lipid peroxidation in rat frontal cortex and striatum. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 Jan;74(1):1-6.

3. Jain S, Shukla SD, Sharma K, Bhatnagar M. Neuroprotective effects of Withania somnifera Dunn. in hippocampal sub-regions of female albino rat. Phytother Res. 2001 Sep;15(6):544-8.

4. Unpublished study, 2005. NutrGenesis, LLC.

5. Kuboyama T, Tohda C, Komatsu K. Neuritic regeneration and synaptic reconstruction induced by withanolide A. Br J Pharmacol. 2005 Apr;144(7):961-71.

6. Tohda C, Kuboyama T, Komatsu K. Dendrite extension by methanol extract of Ashwagandha (roots of Withania somnifera) in SK-N-SH cells. Neuroreport. 2000 Jun 26;11(9):1981-5.

7. Tohda C, Kuboyama T, Komatsu K. Search for natural products related to regeneration of the neuronal network. Neurosignals. 2005;14(1-2):34-45.

8. Ahmad M, Saleem S, Ahmad AS, et al. Neuroprotective effects of Withania somnifera on 6-hydroxydopamine induced Parkinsonism in rats. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2005 Mar;24(3):137-47.

9. Choudhary MI, Yousuf S, Nawaz SA, Ahmed S, Atta uR. Cholinesterase inhibiting withanolides from Withania somnifera. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2004 Nov;52(11):1358-61.

10. Govindarajan R, Vijayakumar M, Pushpangadan P. Antioxidant approach to disease management and the role of ‘Rasayana’ herbs of Ayurveda. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jun 3;99(2):165-78.

11. Anon. Monograph. Withania somnifera. Altern Med Rev. 2004 Jun;9(2):211-4.

12. Owais M, Sharad KS, Shehbaz A, Saleemuddin M. Antibacterial efficacy of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) an indigenous medicinal plant against experimental murine salmonellosis. Phytomedicine. 2005 Mar;12(3):229-35.

13. Davis L, Kuttan G. Immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Jul;71(1-2):193-200.

14. Jayaprakasam B, Zhang Y, Seeram NP, Nair MG. Growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines by withanolides from Withania somnifera leaves. Life Sci. 2003 Nov 21;74(1):125-32.

15. Mathur R, Gupta SK, Singh N, et al. Evaluation of the effect of Withania somnifera root extracts on cell cycle and angiogenesis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 9.

16. Padmavathi B, Rath PC, Rao AR, Singh RP. Roots of Withania somnifera inhibit forestomach and skin carcinogenesis in mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2005 Mar;2(1):99-105.

17. Mathur S, Kaur P, Sharma M, et al. The treatment of skin carcinoma, induced by UV B radiation, using 1-oxo-5beta, 6beta-epoxy-witha-2-enolide, isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera, in a rat model. Phytomedicine. 2004 Jul;11(5):452-60.

18. Christina AJ, Joseph DG, Packialakshmi M, et al. Anticarcinogenic activity of Withania somnifera Dunal against Dalton’s ascitic lymphoma. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Aug;93(2-3):359-61.

19. Gupta YK, Sharma SS, Rai K, Katiyar CK. Reversal of paclitaxel induced neutropenia by Withania somnifera in mice. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2001 Apr;45(2):253-7.

20. Davis L, Kuttan G. Effect of Withania somnifera on cytokine production in normal and cyclophosphamide treated mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 1999 Nov;21(4):695-703.

21. Aphale AA, Chhibba AD, Kumbhakarna NR, Mateenuddin M, Dahat SH. Subacute toxicity study of the combination of ginseng (Panax ginseng) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in rats: a safety assessment. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1998 Apr;42(2):299-302.

Emerging evidence also suggests that ashwagandha has anti-cancer benefits as well. Read more from: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jun2006_report_ashwa_01.htm


Phytother Res. 2010 Oct;24(10):1567-74.
In vitro protective effects of Withania somnifera (L.) dunal root extract against hydrogen peroxide and β-amyloid(1-42)-induced cytotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells.
Kumar S, Seal CJ, Howes MJ, Kite GC, Okello EJ.
Medicinal Plant Research Group, School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.

Abstract
Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanaceae), also known as 'ashwagandha' in Sanskrit and as 'Indian ginseng', is used widely in Ayurvedic medicine as a nerve tonic and memory enhancer, with antiaging, antistress, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. There is a paucity of data on the potential neuroprotective effects of W. somnifera root, as traditionally used, against H(2)O(2)- and Aβ((1-42))-induced cytotoxicity which are current targets for novel approaches to treat dementia, especially dementia of the Alzheimer's type (AD). In this study, an aqueous extract prepared from the dried roots of W. somnifera was assessed for potential protective effects against H(2)O(2)- and Aβ((1-42))-aggregated fibril cytotoxicity by an MTT assay using a differentiated rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. The results suggest that pretreatments of differentiated PC12 cells with aqueous extracts of W. somnifera root significantly protect differentiated PC12 cells
against both H(2)O(2)- and Aβ((1-42))-induced cytotoxicity, in a concentration dependent manner. To investigate the compounds that could explain the observed effects, the W. somnifera extract was analysed by liquid chromatography-serial mass spectrometry and numerous withanolide derivatives, including withaferin A, were detected.

These results demonstrate the neuroprotective properties of an aqueous extract of W. somnifera root and may provide some explanation for the putative ethnopharmacological uses of W. somnifera for cognitive and other neurodegenerative disorders that are associated with oxidative stress.Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID: 20680931


Side Effects

Just as every coin has two sides, aswagandha too has its side effects. Although it is said that ashwagandha side effects are virtually non-existent, but there are some side effects that have been observed in some individuals during case studies. These side effects of ashwagandha include:

• There is a slight elevation of body temperature after one week of use
• Irritation in the gastrointestinal system
• Development of small lesions and inflammation
• Vascular congestion
• Kidney diseases
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Heaviness in abdomen

Caution is the Key
Many herbalist have warned that individuals with certain conditions should avoid using ashwagandha. People suffering from diabetes, liver diseases, digestive disorders and ulcers should not take ashwagandha. Liquid ashwagandha tonics are prepared in sugar and/or alcohol. Therefore, people with alcohol problems should also avoid intake of ashwagandha. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid taking ashwagandha, as it may have potential risk to the fetus and the infant.

Ashwagandha side effects have only short, vague evidences that are not very conclusive. Indian adults, as well as children have been using ashwagandha for centuries, without any major problems. You should always speak to your doctor before consuming ashwagandha. One should not out weigh the risks and throw caution to the wind. Ashwagandha has excellent safety marks and therefore with a little bit of precautions, you can have ashwagandha with your doctors advice.

Dosage

Ashwagandha is available in many forms and you need to follow different dosages for each. In case you are having ashwagandha powder, then you may take 3 to 6 grams of the powder three times a day. Ashwagandha is also available in form of a decoction. You can have 16 to 31 grams of decoction with boiled cow's milk, three times a day. You can have two tablespoon of ashwagandha extract three times a day. Remember, you should avoid taking ashwagandha if you are on any type of sedative medications.

My husband takes ashwagandha three times a day to help with the effects of stress and to improve his sleep. I will not be taking it until I'm done with breastfeeding my second child (who hasn't been conceived yet!). And I haven't figured out if/when I will be giving it to Jett.

Please comment if anyone has experience with giving it to their children.

Related Posts

Alzheimer's Disease & DS: Connection and Treatment...
Cure for Down Syndrome?
Changing Minds Foundation Protocol
Gingko: The Hows and Whys for Down Syndrome
CMF Protocol: Prozac
Jett's Complete Protocol
EGCG Green Tea Extract For Memory
Longvida Curcumin
Why Rhodiola Rosea?
Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Coconut Oil Info and Recipes
Fats & Oils

Roobios Tea Protects Brain Against CNS Damage

Rooibos for Brain, Body and More?

Before you think, "wait...yet ANOTHER tea I should be drinking?", stay with us -- this one is truly different.

And happens to be caffeine-free, unlike the other teas we've been discussing here on the BrainReady Health Blog. Yes, this is one you can drink anytime, including right before bed as a calming, settling way to wind down your day while fueling your brain and body with a truly mind-blowing array of nutritional elements that surprisingly few people still know about.

But that's about to change, as the word is finally getting out about Rooibos.

You may have already heard about "red tea", or "redbush tea", and perhaps even tried some as part of an herbal tea blend. But real, 100% organic Rooibos from South Africa what we're talking about here, and unlike the situation even just a few years ago, it's finally widely available in its pure native form if you look for it.

What is it? Rooibos (pronounced "roy-boss") tea is a South African/Afrikaans term which translates to "redbush", the name given to a bushy shrub that grows in the Cederberg province near Cape Town, South Africa. The redbush plant produces small yellow flowers and has needle-like leaves, which are collected, chopped and then bruised with special hammers, and then sun-dried and typically fermented. Since the fermentation turns the leaves a red-orange color, the sun-dried product is used to make the traditional red tea.

But an alternative, possibly even more healthful treatment does not include the fermentation or oxidation step -- and produces what is referred to as "green" Rooibos. This unfermented Rooibos has a yellowish color and a milder taste, while the red tea has a stronger taste described as sweet and fruity. While red Rooibos still packs the impressive load we'll discuss next, green Rooibos can be preferred because it contains an even higher level of antioxidants than the red, fermented variety. There is some debate in this area, however, as some studies have found that the fermentation process actually increases some other healthful elements despite decreasing antioxidant levels, so don't let lack of availability of the unfermented variety dissuade you.

Red or green, here come the health benefits: researchers at Iwate University in Japan recently found that Rooibos tea protects the brain & nervous system against a process known as "lipid peroxidation". This process occurs when damaging free radicals attack nervous tissue and brain cells, resulting in destruction of the protective outer layers of the brain cells, which leads to cell death. Over time, the damage accumulates and can lead to degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The Japanese researchers gave Rooibos tea to a group of rats for a two-year period, and then examined their brains. Remarkably, they found that there was hardly any difference between the brains of the older rats treated with Rooibos tea, compared with the brains of new-born rats. By contrast, the brains of control rats that were not given Rooibos tea showed normal age-related changes, such as widespread destruction of brain tissue.

The scientists concluded that this amazing protection was due to the tea's ability to prevent the age-related build-up of damaged material in the brain.

Rooibos tea also contains a number of active ingredients and have been shown to treat a variety of other conditions from skin allergies, eczema, stress, sleep problems, stomach upset, indigestion and nervous tension. The plant's high mineral content (magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron), flavonoids, and other elements help fight inflammation and age-related degeneration. Further, scientists at the University of Milan, Italy have found that Rooibos tea contains one of the most powerful of all known flavonoids, called "aspalathin2", which helps to explain the strong brain-protective effects.

Rooibos tea may even help chronic diseases such as cancer and HIV:
South African scientists are now examining the effects of Rooibos tea against a variety of carcinogens (chemicals that cause cells to become cancerous), with preliminary results suggesting these harmful chemicals are rendered less damaging in the presence of Rooibos extract, and there is strong evidence that cancer risk may be reduced in people who consume Rooibos regularly. On the HIV front, researchers at the Okayama University in Japan have shown that Rooibos tea may also have positive effects against HIV, finding that Rooibos tea increases several immune chemicals such as interleukin-2, which can recognize and attempt to destroy the virus.

In addition to the high level of polyphenolic antioxidants, another reason that Rooibos is starting to take off as a health beverage is that, unlike many other teas, it is completely caffeine-free, low in tannins, and thus lacks the bitter astringent taste experienced with regular teas such as black and green teas. This low tannin content is great for those with digestive problems who have difficulty with tannin-rich regular teas or coffee. Tannins bind iron and therefore reduce the absorption of iron, which can be significant for those with low iron intake (some teas like black and peppermint tea may inhibit iron as much as 80 to 90 percent!).

Stomach-settling, relaxing effects: Rooibos possesses antispasmodic properties, and is commonly used in South Africa to treat babies that have colic and stomach cramps. South Africans also use the tea for calming intestinal spasms and digestive upsets in adults. When combined with the lack of caffeine and overall calming qualities, this makes Rooibos a wonderful after-meal and evening tea, with many people claiming that drinking Rooibos in the evening helps promote more restful, quality sleep and stress reduction.

Cancer and immune system protection: many of the flavonoids in Rooibos possess anti-mutagenic activity, with animal studies showing that Rooibos has potent anti-cancer and immune system protecting action.

Skin, liver, colon and more: Rooibos has also been shown to help inhibit skin tumors as well as help with skin infections, and as a result many in the skin care industry feel that Rooibos may be the new frontier for inclusion in skin care products. In South Africa, many apply Rooibos tea directly to the skin daily to help with everything from sun damage to age spots to infections and more.

Putting it all together: the vast array of health benefits alone should make you interested in trying Rooibos, but when combined with the lack of caffeine presence, calming qualities, great taste (fermented or not), and recent wider availability of this amazing herbal tea outside of South Africa, Rooibos may indeed be the most important new addition to your diet one could think of.

Where to find Rooibos: many specialty tea shops now carry Rooibos, usually the red fermented variety, as do many gourmet grocery stores. Green unfermented Rooibos can be found easily online (as can red Rooibos), so the key is to look for 100% pure, fresh, ideally organic Rooibos in loose-leaf form, not tea bags or as part of mixed blends, and unsweetened (you can sweeten it yourself if you must, but it tastes so good that you won't need to). You simply brew it in a tea pot with strainer like you would a black tea, with near-boiling water, steeping for at least 6 minutes for optimal concentration.

Purchase Roobios Tea Extract: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWH146/ItemDetail?n=0

The Study

Neurosci Lett. 1995 Aug 18;196(1-2):85-8.

The suppression of age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in rat brain by administration of Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis).
Inanami O, Asanuma T, Inukai N, Jin T, Shimokawa S, Kasai N, Nakano M, Sato F, Kuwabara M.

Source
Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka, Japan.

Abstract
The protective effects of Rooibos tea (RT), Aspalathus linearis, against damage to the central nervous system (CNS) accompanying aging were examined by both the thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in brains of chronically RT-treated rats. Ad libitum administration of RT was begun with 3-month-old Wistar female rats and continued for 21 months. The contents of TBA reactive substances (TBARS) in the frontal cortex, occipital cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in 24-month-old rats after administration with water were significantly higher than those in young rats (5 weeks old). However, no significant increase of TBARS was observed in RT-administered aged rats. When MR images of the brains of 24-month-old rats with and without RT as well as 5-week-old rats were taken, a decrease of the signal intensity was observed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum in MR images of aged rats without RT, whereas little change of the signal intensity was observed in MR images of the same regions of 24-month-old rats treated with RT, whose images were similar to those of young rats. These observations suggested that (1) the age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in the brain was closely related to the morphological changes observed by MRI, and (2) chronic RT-administration prevented age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in several regions of rat brain.



Sources
http://www.brainready.com/blog/rooibos_for_brain_body_and_.html