Dr. HingHau Tsang's Crusade on Nutrition

• As people's age increases, their likelihood of getting Alzheimer's rises dramatically. Among those 64 to 74 years of age, estimates range from 2 to 10 percent of the population have Alzheimer's. Among those 75 to 84, the number rises to 15 to 30 percent. For those 85 and up, 30 to 50 percent are estimated to become afflicted with it.
• Amgen researchers found a single enzyme called beta-secretase which clips a protein that protrudes from brain cells in two, another enzyme-called gamma-secretase-snips the resulting protein fragments, creating one piece that is harmless and another that is highly toxic. It is this toxic debris-called A beta protein-that causes the problems. It accumulates as microscopic balls, known as amyloids, that destroy the brain cells responsible for memory, reasoning, and judgment.
• Genetic tendencies: For example, mutations of specific chromosomes (mapped as numbers 1, 14 and 21) cause Alzheimer's in almost everyone who has them.
• Life Styles: Study at Case Western University in Cleveland showed that out of a control group of 373 older adults, those who had led the most sedentary lifestyle and gotten the least exercise were 3.5 times more likely to get Alzheimer's.
• Studies have shown that a susceptibility to toxins such as Aluminum and mercury are linked to the onset of Alzheimer's and senile dementia. High levels of Aluminum and Mercury are found in the brain cells of Alzheimer's victims. There is now an irrefutable connection between the presence of mercury in brain tissue and the presence of "silver" amalgam dental fillings, which contain approximately 50 percent mercury as well as silver, tin, copper, and zinc. In a recent test of seven thousand patients, they found 90.3 percent to be sensitive to mercury which significantly suppress their immune system. Reactions to high levels of mercury in the body can range from nervousness, depression to suicidal tendencies and severe neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease.
• Reduced levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids have also been linked with Alzheimer's, including folic acid, niacin (vitamin B3), thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium and zinc. A Canada study found that elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairment had lower DHA levels than elderly people with normal cognitive function. DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is an Omega 3 Fatty Acid which is a key contributor to good brain health. Brain cells need adequate levels of DHA, otherwise they are unable to function optimally.
• A study published in the Archives of Neurology found a link between high levels of homocysteine and Alzheimer’s disease. The study compared 164 patients with Alzheimer’s disease to 108 people at the same age without the disease. Those with the highest level of homocysteine were 4.5 times more likely to have Alzheimer’s than those with the lowest level. Further proof of this connection: people with the lowest levels of the two nutrients that reduce homocysteine—folic acid and Vitamin B12—were 3 to 4 times more likely to have Alzheimer’s than those with the highest levels. "Everyone over the age of 40 should add to their supplements. B-6, B-12 and folic acid."
• Chronic, constant, high levels of stress create inordinate amounts of cortisol. Chronic exposure to toxic levels of cortisol injures and kills significant amounts of brain cells.

1. Reduce your intake of toxin - Do not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, as these substances measurably decrease brain power. Avoid pollutants in your water by drinking reverse osmosis filtered water, or water otherwise purified. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame are two food additives that are proven neurotoxins, so you should not consume foods containing them. As residues of pesticides and herbicides on foods are neurotoxic, increase your intake of organic foods. Avoid underarm eodorants, antacid pills, and other common products containing aluminum that can be absorbed. Avoid cooking acid foods in aluminum cooking utensils. Avoid ingesting fish contaminated with mercury and PCBs.
2. Eat the right food - According to a new study, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may slow brain aging. Eat whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients. A preliminary analysis of dietary habits in eleven countries suggests that a low-fat diet might reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. In countries with low-fat diets, such as China and Nigeria, the risk of developing Alzheimer's is 1% at age 65 compared to 5% in the US. Saturated fats (found in animal products) and trans-fatty acids (found in fast foods and commercial baked goods) should be avoided. To fuel your brain optimally, eat frequent but smaller meals to avoid hypoglycemia which stuns the brain. Eat fish twice a week or take omega 3 EFA supplement.
3. Exercise your brain - Both physical and mental exercise are important to brain function. Brain cells are like muscles-you use them or lose them. Stimulate your brain daily: memorize addresses and phone numbers; do not rely on automatic dialers; play concentration games like cards or chess. Physical exercise delivers more blood to the brain. It reduces levels of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which generate free radicals that damage brain cells.
4. Continuing education - and Mental Acuity: Learning itself stimulates more neurons to grow and thus may create a larger reserve in the brain so that it takes longer for brain cells to be destroyed.
5. Take a full spectrum of memory-enhancing nutrients - Cogni-Flex, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Omega 3 Fatty Acid high-potency multivitamin/mineral formula such as My favorite multiple Vitamin / Mineral and B complex Vitamin.
6. Add the following supplements that target your memory directly - The right combination of nutrients can help enhance memory and concentration as well as boost overall mental performance.

Vitamin E: Take 400-800 IU daily. Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble antioxidant which promotes stable cell membranes and reduces damage to the mitochondria, the cell's energy producer. Vitamin E traps free radicals, interrupting the chain reaction that damages cells. At the World Alzheimer's Congress 2000 in Washington released a study of more than 6,000 people ages 65 and older. Results indicated that a high intake of vitamin E from foods or dietary supplements was associated with reduced memory loss and other cognitive decline. The study showed that those with the highest intake of vitamin E experienced the least cognitive decline over the course of a three-year period. A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that vitamin E is effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's at a dose of 200 IU per day for 440 days, based on a test sample of 341 elderly men and women living under supervision.

Ginkgo Biloba Boosts Brain Power and Support Alzheimer's Disease. Ginkgo Biloba is an antioxidant, meaning it scavenges the blood for harmful free radicals (toxins) that would otherwise interfere with normal brain chemistry and function. Ginkgo also improves blood flow , hence increased oxygen availability to brain cells. Mounting research demonstrates that it can increase mental alertness and improve memory, not only in Alzheimer's patients, but in otherwise mentally fit individuals who don't want to lose any of their brain power to aging. German study involving 216 Alzheimer's patients with mild to moderate symptoms had them take 240 mg of ginkgo daily for one month. When they were tested for mental abilities, the patients on ginkgo showed considerable improvement in mental alertness and overall mood. British scientists reported that 31 individuals (age 50 and above, with mild memory loss), who took 40 mg of ginkgo three times daily for either 12 or 24 months had improved mental function and quicker response times than those who did not take the herb. A New York study of 202 Alzheimer's patients found that those treated with Ginkgo biloba showed substantial improvement in mental performance and social functioning after six months of supplementation, compared with patients who received a placebo. Take 120-240 mg of Ginkgo Biloba daily. Start at 120 mg daily then climb to 240 mg daily over a period of 6-8 weeks. Most studies show that ginkgo produces positive changes over time, and that improvements typically start becoming apparent after 8-12 weeks. In some cases, it takes up to 24 weeks because brain areas that have long been deprived of oxygen and nutrients revitalize more slowly.

B complex Vitamin -Take 100 mg daily. Declines in levels of the B complex Vitamin are associated with changes in mood and behavior, while deficiencies result in impaired cognition and elevation of your homocysteine level. Those with the highest level of homocysteine were 4.5 times more likely to have Alzheimer’s than those with the lowest level.

Coenzyme q-10, Take 100 mg daily. Coenzyme q-10, necessary for the generation of energy in all cells, is used in the mitochondria. CoQ10 improves cardiovascular fitness and blood circulation to the brain. As a potent antioxidant, it helps to keep the nerve cell membranes free of brain-power-damaging substances.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Take 100-200mg daily. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a potent antioxidant that blocks free radicals from damaging brain cells and thereby impairing brain function.

Vitamin C Take 3,000-5,000 mg daily. Vitamin C concentrations are 15 times higher in the brain than in any other body tissue, which means you need this nutrient for brain power fitness. Vitamin C extends the life of vitamin E and is needed for the production of several key brain chemicals, including acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Siberian Ginseng moderates your reaction to stress and improves alertness.

Introducing Cogni-Flex

Cogni-Flex is an advanced formula providing nutritional support for healthy mental function. The four nutrients in Cogni-flex support the structure and function of cognitive processes in several ways. They support neurotransmitter metabolism, enhance vascular circulation to the brain, and help maintain structure and function of nerve cell membranes. These four nutrients are Huperzine A, Phosphatidyl Serine, Acetyl L-carnitine and Ginkgo biloba.

1. Huperzine A or HupA is a natural herb for Memory, Concentration and Alzheimer's - Huperzine A is a natural Chinese herbal remedy extracted from club moss (Huperzia serrata) may significantly improve memory and mental function -- with none of the negative side effects of commonly prescribed prescription drugs. HupA has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat inflammation and fever. HupA works in a similar fashion to the two most commonly prescribed drugs for Alzheimer's disease, tacrine (Cognex) and donepezil (Aricept). All three inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine. While all three have been shown to enhance memory, boost acetylcholine and protect brain cells from toxins, HupA has none of the significant side effects of the prescription drugs, which can cause nausea, vomiting, excess sweating and salivation, and liver damage. HupA also has a longer duration than both of these drugs. Several studies have shown that HupA improves brain function in patients with dementia. HupA seems to have additional properties that may help it to slow the progression of Alzheimer's. One study showed that it can slow the formation of a harmful kind of plaque, a buildup of protein deposits in the brain. Other studies indicate that it can protect brain cells from glutamate, a neurotransmitter that becomes toxic when it is secreted in large amounts. Some research also indicates that Huperzine A helps to block the process of inflammation that occurs as Alzheimer's disease progresses. The recommended dose of Huperzine A is 100-200 mcg per day in divided doses. It may take 2-3 months to see clinical improvement.

Clinical studies of Huperzine A (See References at Huperzine A webpage)

All clinical trials of huperzine to date were performed in China.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study evaluated 103 people with Alzheimer's disease who received either huperzine A or placebo twice daily for 8 weeks. About 60% of the treated participants showed improvements in memory, thinking, and behavioral functions compared to 36% of the placebo-treated group, and the difference was significant.

Benefits were also seen in an earlier double-blind trial using injected huperzine in 160 individuals with dementia or other memory disorders.

Huperzine is also reportedly helpful for improving memory in healthy individuals. A double-blind trial of 34 matching pairs of junior middle school students reported improvements in memory in the treated group.

2. Acetyl-L-Carnitine protects neurons by neutralizing free radicals, stabilizing cellular membranes, and enhancing the activity of acetylcholine. This amino acid enhances brain energy, helping both to improve mood and to reduce the effects of age-associated memory impairment. It also improves cellular energy production for mental and physical stamina.
3. Phosphatidyl-serine supports and revitalizes nerve cells and has been shown in many studies to slow or reverse cognitive losses attributed to aging. Phosphatidyl-serine has been proven to improve attention, concentration, mood, and short-term memory; it also enables nutrients to enter brain cells more easily and supports the function of neurotransmitters.
4. Ginkgo Biloba Boosts Brain Power and Support Alzheimer's Disease. Ginkgo Biloba is an antioxidant, meaning it scavenges the blood for harmful free radicals (toxins) that would otherwise interfere with normal brain chemistry and function. Ginkgo also improves blood flow , hence increased oxygen availability to brain cells. Mounting research demonstrates that it can increase mental alertness and improve memory, not only in Alzheimer's patients, but in otherwise mentally fit individuals who don't want to lose any of their brain power to aging.

Natural hormones such as DHEA (produced by the adrenal glands and gonads) and pregnenolone (produced in the brain and adrenal cortex) to restore brain function. Some studies and anecdotal reports have correlated DHEA supplementation with improvement in memory and mood, vitality, and the ability to think clearly. Research suggests that pregnenolone (20 mg daily) can enhance memory, improve concentration, reduce mental fatigue, and generally keep the brain functioning at peak capacity. Levels of these hormones can be tested by your doctor and should be monitored during supplementation. A hormonal program should always be carried out under a physician's supervision.

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