Alzheimer's – perhaps our most dreaded part of aging.
Fortunately, there are constantly new breakthroughs in knowledge and medicine and prevention of Alzheimer's.
Here's some valuable information on some simple steps that protect your liver – and your mind!
A Sound Body Means a Sound Mind
As you get older, it's common to wonder if your misplaced keys or a forgotten name are a sign of early Alzheimer's.
You might wonder -- what you can do to protect yourself from the memory loss and mental decline that so many experience?
Here's some fascinating new research: Take better care of your liver.
Clear Out Alzheimer Toxins
Alzheimer's disease is caused in part by amyloid-beta, a naturally occurring peptide. These peptides lodge in your brain and create tangled plaques that affect your memory, you clarity, and your overall function
Researchers from the University of Washington wanted to better understand how amyloid-beta in the bloodstream affects the levels in the brain. They used rats for the study. The researchers inhibited the liver from removing the peptides from the bloodstream. As the peptide levels in the blood rose, so did the levels in the brain. (1)
The researchers concluded that when the amyloid-beta levels of the blood rise, it interferes with your brain's ability to remove the peptides. When amyloid-beta levels in the blood fall, the brain is able to transfer more of these dangerous peptides into the blood, away from where they can do harm. (2) The key here is a healthy liver that will remove amyloid-beta from the blood. Then the brain can better protect itself.
The Key to a Healthy Liver
Your liver needs specifi c nutrients to do its job.
Glutathione is found in every cell of your body. It works as a powerful antioxidant. It also binds with toxic molecules from drugs, alcohol, and pollutants and helps you liver eliminate them.
Not surprisingly, early research shows that healthy glutathione levels can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. (3) This fi nding was not initially well understood, but in light of the role the liver plays on regulating amyloid-beta, it makes sense.
Supplementing with glutathione is diffi cult because it cannot withstand the digestive process. There's a good alternative, though. You can supplement with n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), an amino acid that catalyzes glutathione production in your liver.
You can take 500 mg of NAC three times a day without side affects. (4) If you plan to take NAC on an ongoing basis, it's a good idea to combine it with an amino acid complex. This helps you to maintain a good balance of amino acids. Also make sure your multiple vitamin contains copper because NAC can slightly deplete your copper levels.
This new research shows it's important to take good care of your liver in order to keep your brain healthy and sharp. A healthy liver will also give you the added benefi ts of more energy and a better immune system.
It's important to discuss changes to your diet, exercise, or supplements with your doctor fi rst. Next week, find out how something as simple as how many times you chew your food can make a difference to your health. See you next week!
- “Peripheral Amyloid-β Levels Regulate Amyloid-β Clearance from the Central Nervous System,” Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2009; 16(2): 331-39
- “Peripheral Amyloid-β Levels Regulate Amyloid-β Clearance from the Central Nervous System,” Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2009; 16(2): 331-39
- Li YJ, et al. “Glutathione S-transferase omega-1 modifi es age-at-onset of Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease,” Human Molecular Genetics 2003; 12(24): 3259-67
“N-acetylcysteine,” WholeHealthMD. Viewed 3/16/2009.
