Promising Solution for Alzheimer’s Disease
August 1, 2009 by drhusbands · Leave a Comment
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, highly debilitating disease where intellectual capacities decline over time. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have protein material called amyloid plaques that form fibrous plaques and take over the brain tissue. According to researchers from UCLA School of Medicine, UC Riverside, and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, a combination of vitamin D3 and curcumin may help clean-up the amyloid plaques of those with Alzheimer’s. In a newly published study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found that a combination of Vitamin D3 and curcumin stimulates some of the white blood cells, called macrophages, to engulf and digest the amyloid plaques in patients with Alzheimer’s.
Though this study presents a preliminary finding, it shows promise for an effective treatment for AD. It is estimated that by 2030 close to half the population in this country over 85 years of age will have AD. Therefore, any potentially effective treatment that is devoid of the side effects, typically in current treatments, must be vigorously studied further.
The cost savings for caring for the elderly, and the prevention of pain, suffering, and inconvenience for the patients and their families could be monumental.
So, for prevention of Alzheimer’s should you be taking curcumin and vitamin D3 now? Curcumin is an antioxidant that has been determined to be safe and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Vitamin D3 has been found to have a multitude of health benefits for every cell and system of the body. Thus, from the anti-aging perspective, these two are beneficial anyway. If you suffer from arthritis or other inflammation, curcumin is a safe and effective solution.
Make sure you consult a doctor who is trained and experienced in the proper use and dosage of nutritional supplements, such as curcumin and vitamin D3. Although these are both safe to use, a knowledgeable clinician would be able to determine what is appropriate for your particular case based on your medical history and drug interactions, if any. Read my prior post about nutritional supplement use.
Don’t hesitate to contact me, if you have any questions.
Dr Husbands is a Chiropractor, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.
Copyright © 2009; Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved.
