Carnosine blocks and inactivates beta-amyloid. In effect, it protects neural tissues against dementia. In addition to preventing damaging cross-links from forming in proteins, carnosine also eliminates cross-links that have previously formed in those proteins, thus restoring normal membrane function in cells. This is true not only in the brain, but in all the organs of our body -- skin included. Skin damage is an indicator of the kinds of damage happening to every other organ in your body -- including your eyes and your brain.
A series of experiments done in Australia, showed that cells cultured with carnosine lived longer and retained their youthful appearance and growth patterns. In addition, they revealed that carnosine rejuvenates cells as they approach senescence (the stage just before death where a cell is still alive, but essentially non-functional). Thus, carnosine can actually reverse the signs of aging in senescent cells.
We also have studied vitamins; particularly natural vitamin E and C. Use of both vitamin C and E reduced prevalence of Alzheimer's by 78% (published in Archives of Neurology). Vitamins C and E deficiencies were very well related with cognitive decline. In fact, there was a 36% reduction in the rate of decline among patients in the highest quintile of total vitamin E intake compared to the lowest quintile. One of the strongest association has been with B vitamins and aging brain. A USDA research study, published in SALSA, (Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging), August 2010, found that lower levels of B vitamins, including folate was associated with symptoms of dementia and poor brain function. Female subjects were twice as likely to develop depression. Folate supplementation had an impact on cognitive decline. We know that folate deficiency during pregnancy increases the rist for neural tube defects (spina bifida) in children.
The three-year folic acid/folate supplementation and cognitive function was published in the Lancet, January 20, 2007. It showed that with folate supplementation, patients with elevated homocysteine levels, appeared to have improved cognitive functions; especially in memory and inflammation, processing speed.
But, not word fluency.
A deficiency of vitamin D, a steroid hormone from sunshine, is associated with cognitive decline over a six-year period. A vitamin D deficiency less than 25 nmol/L was associated with 60% increased risk for cognitive decline. Phopsphaditylserine (PS) from a plant source, provided improvements with remembering names immediately after introduction. The famous herb from China Huperzine-A (from the ancient Chinese cub moss) with Vinpocetine, which is an antioxidant, vasodilatory, and neuroprotective substance, had distinct benefits on the brain. According to the common adage in brain health, ‘whatever process promotes blood flow to the brain, also is associated with slowing the aging process.
For centuries, fish was called brain food. The DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
in fish oil plays a pivot role in mitochondrial and neuronal membrane fluidity, signal transduction, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Neurogenesis, which is no longer science fiction, is the process of building up new brain cells. According to modern studies, we know that under the ideal condition, neuronal cells can be grown through a neuropeptide call brain derived-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF. Unfortunately, farmed fish does not provide the same benefits and also contains some undesirable ingredients. Sadly, much of today’s fish has been contaminated with heavy metals and plastic particles.
According to the Framingham Heart Study with the prospective follow-up study of 899 men and women, free of dementia for mean period of 6 years, measurement of plasma, phosphatidylcholine, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at baseline by measure, top quartile of plasma (PCDHA), showed a 47% reduced risk of developing dementia of all causes. One of the smaller studies called MIDAS (Memory Improvement with Docosahexaenoic Acid Study), revealed that 485 subjects, aged 55 or above, with memory complaints, for 25 weeks on a course of DHA, 900 mg a day,had improved memory and learning skills.