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Vitamins and Nutrients Information
Vitamins for Alzheimer's and Dementia
Diet and nutrition have been shown to be important for preserving a healthy brain and preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Studies have shown that certain vitamins and supplements can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia.
Below we examine the vitamins and supplements which have the most evidence.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Diet and nutrition are important to maintain a healthy brain and preventing cognitive decline.
B Vitamins are needed to maintain the brain and nervous system.
Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant which has had a beneficial effect on the memory of individuals affected by Alzheimer's Disease.
Bacopa has been shown to break down the damaging Amyloid fibrils believed to be the primary cause of Alzheimer's Disease.
A powerful agent shown to protect the brain from several factors which contribute to Alzheimer's Disease.
Vitamin D is one of the most important supplements for those over the age of 65, it supports memory.
Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory agent which has been shown to break down Beta Amyloid plaques.
Omega-3-6-9s are essential nutrients shown to have significant heart and brain benefits.
Summary and Recommendation
A summary of the vitamins and nutrients recommended to retain memory and cognitive ability.
B Vitamins: B3, B6, B12, & Folic Acid(B9)
B Vitamins & The Brain:
B Vitamins have an important role in the human brain and nervous system.
Vitamin B12 is needed to create and maintain nerve cells, Vitamins B3 & B9 are used to create and repair of DNA, and Vitamin B6 is needed to create the chemicals nerves use to communicate with each other.
Research & Studies:
Researchers at the University of Oxford and at the US CDC discovered that individuals who took a B Vitamin supplement were less likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease than individuals who did not take a B Vitamin supplement.
More Information On B Vitamins
Vitamin E
Vitamin E & The Brain:
Researchers believe that Vitamin E can help with Alzheimer’s Disease because of its anti-oxidative properties.
Studies have found that Alzheimer's patients frequently have low levels of Vitamin E and researchers have tested whether Vitamin E supplementation can help.
The Evidence, Research & Studies:
One study examined the effects of Vitamin E supplementation on 613 patients with Alzheimer's Disease. After 24 months, individuals taking Vitamin E showed a slower decline and were able to complete everyday tasks that individuals in the other groups could not complete.
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri & The Brain:
Bacopa monnieri inhibits the harmful enzyme cholinesterase and removes harmful amyloid fibrils which have accumulated in the brain, Amyloid fibrils are believed to be one of the major causes of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Evidence, Research & Studies:
Researchers found that Bacopa monnieri had a beneficial effect on patients with Alzheimer's Disease and concluded that Bacopa monnieri is “a promising agent in Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of cognitive impairment.”
More Information On Bacopa monnieri
Salvia Officinalis (Sage)
Salvia Officinalis & The Brain:
Salvia Officinalis has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect the brain from harmful oxidative agents.
Salvia Officinalis inhibits the harmful enzyme cholinesterase, an enzyme that contributes to the brain damage seen in Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Evidence, Research & Studies:
Several studies have found that Salvia Officinalis leads to "significantly better cognitive function" and fewer cognitive issues.
More Information On Salvia Officinalis
Vitamin D
Vitamin D & The Brain:
Vitamin D is one of the most important supplements to take, especially for individuals over the age of 65. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to serious health issues and because of the unique deficiency risk discussed below.
Deficiency Risk:
Because older individuals have difficulty producing Vitamin D, researchers estimate that 95 percent of seniors are Vitamin D deficient.
The Evidence, Research & Studies:
Two studies examined 4,500 individuals over the age of 65. They both found that lower levels of Vitamin D were associated with worse mental performance.
Turmeric Curcumin
Turmeric Curcumin & The Brain:
Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory nutrient which has recently been studied for its brain and memory benefits. Curcumin has been found to break down Amyloid-beta plaques, which are believed to be one of the major causes of Alzheimer's Disease.
Deficiency Risk:
Like Vitamin D and Omega 3-6-9, Curcumin is not produced in sufficient levels by the body. Without supplementation, the brain will not benefit from Curcumin's properties.
The Evidence, Research & Studies:
Multiple studies have demonstrated Curcumin's benefits for both heart health and brain health. Curcumin has been showed to play multiple roles in preventing Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Studies have demonstrated Curcumin's neuroprotective benefits through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties as well as its ability to break down beta-amyloid plaques.
Studies concluded that "curcumin will lead to a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease" and that "people who took curcumin experienced significant improvements in their memory and attention abilities". [Sources 11,12,13]
More Information On Turmeric Curcumin
Omega 3-6-9
Omega 3-6-9 and The Brain:
Omega 3-6-9 are an important type of nutrients known as a Fatty Acids, most commonly found in fish. Omega 3-6-9s are required for healthy brain development and have been shown to have numerous benefits to memory and cognition.
Deficiency Risk:
Similar to Curcumin and Vitamin D, Omega 3-6-9 is not produced in sufficient levels by the body and must be primarily attained through diet.
Furthermore, studies have shown that because Americans do not frequently consume fish, the average American diet is deficient in Omega 3-6-9s.
The Evidence, Research & Studies:
Studies have shown that individuals whom consume higher amounts of Omega 3-6-9 show "higher amounts of memory recall and learning" and are 41% less likely to develop dementia.
A second study concluded that, "Compared with most new medications, omega-3 fatty acids would be an outstanding intervention from long-term safety, side-effect, and cost perspectives.
Because of their outstanding safety profile, low cost, and proven efficacy in reducing mortality from cardiovascular disease, omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA in particular, are particularly attractive for prevention." [Sources, 14,15,16]
More Information on Omega-3-6-9s
Recommendation
Diet and Supplementation:
The Alzheimer's Organization recommends that individuals over the age of 50 make a proactive effort to include these vitamins and nutrients in their diet. For information on our supplement Mind and Memory Support see our page here.
