Vitamins D and B12 Offer Support Against Alzheimer's

[Islander]

November 12, 2009

Alzheimer's research in recent years has been finding some new and encouraging information about the supporting roles of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. As we age, we all become less able to absorb vitamins and other nutrients. Supplementation of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D can help to prevent or reduce the future risk of dementia (http://www.empowher.com/condition/dementia) like Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.empowher.com/condition/alzheimers-disease).
Vitamin B12, also called Cobalamin, is essential for the maintenance of healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. This means that we need it for our brains and nervous systems to function in top form. And we need it for the health of our cardiovascular systems.

It has been discovered that a deficiency of Vitamin B12 can look very much like Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia (http://www.empowher.com/condition/dementia). In cases like these, sufficiently high supplementation of Vitamin B12 can lead to the restoration of significant neurological, cognitive function for an individual who had previously been succumbing to mental confusion, depression (http://www.empowher.com/condition/depression), and personality change.
Vitamin B12 can be found in protein foods such as seafood, meat, milk and other dairy products. It can also be taken as a supplement, in tablet, gel or liquid form, or by injection.

Vitamin D is needed for proper brain development and brain function (http://www.empowher.com/condition/brain-function). It aids in the absorption of calcium, and in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It plays a role in a healthy immune system (http://www.empowher.com/condition/immune-system). It enables the nervous system to function efficiently, reducing or preventing the advent of mental confusion, depression (http://www.empowher.com/condition/depression) and cognitive dysfunction. Vitamin D can help prevent vascular problems, which can play a major part in dementia (http://www.empowher.com/condition/dementia) like Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.empowher.com/condition/alzheimers-disease).
A lack of Vitamin D can cause depression (http://www.empowher.com/condition/depression) and anxiety (http://www.empowher.com/condition/anxiety), and processing difficulties, lack of mental alertness, confusion. Those with very low levels have twice the risk of severe cognitive deterioration.
Food sources are fatty fish, like salmon and tuna. Supplements of Vitamin D are very helpful. And of course, the most familiar source for Vitamin D is exposure to the sun. The sun's UV rays cause Vitamin D to develop in skin cells.
An increase of these vitamins in the diets of those people who may be at risk of Alzheimer's is well-advised. As we get older, we need all the help we can get in the preservation of our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D offer us a potential protection from the ravages of this disease.

Resources:
Mayo Clinic: Vitamin B12
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-B12/NS_patient-vitaminb12
Vitamin D May Diminish Risk of Alzheimer’s and Depression (http://www.empowher.com/condition/depression)
http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com/e_article000776347.cfm?x=b11,0,w
Possible Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency, Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.empowher.com/condition/alzheimers-disease) And Vascular Dementia (http://www.empowher.com/condition/dementia)
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151458.php
Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.empowher.com/condition/alzheimers-disease) as related to Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
http://www.goldbamboo.com/relate-tl1059-tr8272.html
Vitamin D Could Help Prevent Cognitive Decline
http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/62/57270/vitamin-cognitive
Vitamin B12 Deficiency can Look Identical to Alzheimer's Disease (http://www.empowher.com/condition/alzheimers-disease)
http://www.naturalnews.com/027456_vitamin_B12_disease_dementia.html

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[Aaltrude]

There have been studies that show that Turmeric also appears to have a role in preventing Alzheimers. In Indian populations where Turmeric is used in a lot of meals, the incidence of Alzheimers is quite low. It is also lower in other people who consume Turmeric on a regular basis i.e. several times a week.

[mellowsong]

There have been studies that show that Turmeric also appears to have a role in preventing Alzheimers. In Indian populations where Turmeric is used in a lot of meals, the incidence of Alzheimers is quite low. It is also lower in other people who consume Turmeric on a regular basis i.e. several times a week.
Does this include just using it as a spice or should you actually supplement? If so, how much? Thanks.

[Aaltrude]

Does this include just using it as a spice or should you actually supplement? If so, how much? Thanks.

I am fairly sure the studies were done on people who were using it as a spice in their food.

[EmmaPeel]

I totally agree that Vitamins D and B12 play a huge role against Alzheimer's, as well as Omega 3-6-9....but there is more to it.

What I also believe is that a properly functioning gut is the foundation.

If your gut is not running optimally, then absorption is almost impossible. Hence, expensive urine and feces.

My parents had many friends who had tons of tumeric and curry powders as a regular, 3Xwk plus part of their mostly vegetarian, wholesome diets for many, many years...but as I look at their morbidity, almost ALL of them died of Alzheimer's or bowel CA between 65-80years of age (the few that lived that long).

The manifestation of any dis-ease is, IMHO, multi-dimensional, environmental, and has a great deal to do with emotional well being and health...my parents friends lived through Aparthied in Southern Africa, and even when their environment and resources changed here in Canada, it was astounding to see how many died of Alzheimer's and bowel Cancer...

Last night I watched a very interesting program on Canadian Aboriginal healing and Diabetes. Aboriginal healing always deals with the emotional, physical, & spiritual concomitantly, and it was encouraging to see how one fellow who lived through the whole 'Residential' school horror managed to stabilize his Blood Glucose, when he began to address the emotional pain that was blocking his physical internal processes ....

[Grandma]

Yesterday I had gone to see my aunt in the nursing home and she was more alert than usual and she was saying a few words more than usual. I know Mellowsong told me that she could have dementia from the stroke but would Vitamin D help her recover somewhat?
I had wondered when I was driving home because after taking her off of the Abilify, due to it cost too darn much and I felt it did not help anyway, I wondered if I took her more Vitamin D and gave it to her would that help her to recover from her stroke? The nursing home is giving her 600 mg of Vitamin D each day at my request. What do you all think? Am I just dreaming that she could get better?

[Islander]

The article makes sense to me, but there are (at least) two things that come to mind:
When supplementing with B12, the bioactive form you want to look for is methylcobalamin. 5 mg/day is not too much.
When supplementing with D3, a therapeutic amount would be 4000-6000 I.U./day. The 600 (I assume you mean I.U.) is not a theraperutic amount.

If you get resistance from staff, reprint one of the articles posted here. They are all from credible, academic or medical sources.

[EmmaPeel]

Yesterday I had gone to see my aunt in the nursing home and she was more alert than usual and she was saying a few words more than usual. I know Mellowsong told me that she could have dementia from the stroke but would Vitamin D help her recover somewhat?
I had wondered when I was driving home because after taking her off of the Abilify, due to it cost too darn much and I felt it did not help anyway, I wondered if I took her more Vitamin D and gave it to her would that help her to recover from her stroke? The nursing home is giving her 600 mg of Vitamin D each day at my request. What do you all think? Am I just dreaming that she could get better?
Hi Grandma...were you asking me or someone else? :rolleyes:

Anyway, my research suggests that Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), Fish oils (Cold water fish like mackeral, sardines, salmon, cod), Vitamin C (Ester C), B12 (as Aaltrude says get the 'methyl' not the 'cyano'-cobalamin), minerals, along with a good probiotic and digestive enzyme are beneficial. But, without knowing what her medical history is, it would be difficult to predict improvement...

I have witnessed changes in cognitive abilities and mood in the elderly from something as simple as good hydration. Having said that, did you know that something as common as a bladder infection can present in the elderly as behavioral aggression, increased confusion and combativeness. So, good hydration is crucial by all accounts.

Hope this helps.:)

[Aaltrude]

My parents had many friends who had tons of tumeric and curry powders as a regular, 3Xwk plus part of their mostly vegetarian, wholesome diets for many, many years...but as I look at their morbidity, almost ALL of them died of Alzheimer's or bowel CA between 65-80years of age (the few that lived that long).


The studies I have seen indicated a lower incidence of Alzheimers in people consuming turmeric. There was no suggestion that it eliminated the risk, only that the chance of developing it were lower in those who used turmeric in comparison with those who did not or rarely used it.
I agree that the development of Alzheimers is probably multifactoral.

[Grandma]

The article makes sense to me, but there are (at least) two things that come to mind:
When supplementing with B12, the bioactive form you want to look for is methylcobalamin. 5 mg/day is not too much.
When supplementing with D3, a therapeutic amount would be 4000-6000 I.U./day. The 600 (I assume you mean I.U.) is not a theraperutic amount.

If you get resistance from staff, reprint one of the articles posted here. They are all from credible, academic or medical sources.

Yes, I did mean I.U.
I was told when I put her on Vitamin D that they only use the 600 IU with calcium. Not thinking she would get better I said O.K. Just wanted her on some form of Vitamin D. I am not saying that when I do return to see her that she will be like she was on Sunday... but I will see tomorrow.
Thanks...

[Grandma]

Hi Grandma...were you asking me or someone else? :rolleyes:

Anyway, my research suggests that Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), Fish oils (Cold water fish like mackeral, sardines, salmon, cod), Vitamin C (Ester C), B12 (as Aaltrude says get the 'methyl' not the 'cyano'-cobalamin), minerals, along with a good probiotic and digestive enzyme are beneficial. But, without knowing what her medical history is, it would be difficult to predict improvement...

I have witnessed changes in cognitive abilities and mood in the elderly from something as simple as good hydration. Having said that, did you know that something as common as a bladder infection can present in the elderly as behavioral aggression, increased confusion and combativeness. So, good hydration is crucial by all accounts.

Hope this helps.:)

My aunt had a stroke and her cognitive abliities are not good. Being in a nursing home they are only going to do so much. This has been new to me this year and I am in the learning stages of what is going on and what might I do. My aunt refused Rehab and I pretty much gave up on her. Sunday I saw a change... not getting my hopes up but after I read this article that was posted I wondered if Vitamin D even at the low dose could be helping some. Yes, Emma... I was putting this out there for anyone to respond. Thanks for your input. I can only hope they will give her these vitamins if I request it. :)

[Islander]

My aunt had a stroke and her cognitive abliities are not good. Being in a nursing home they are only going to do so much. This has been new to me this year and I am in the learning stages of what is going on and what might I do. My aunt refused Rehab and I pretty much gave up on her. Sunday I saw a change... not getting my hopes up but after I read this article that was posted I wondered if Vitamin D even at the low dose could be helping some. Yes, Emma... I was putting this out there for anyone to respond. Thanks for your input. I can only hope they will give her these vitamins if I request it. :)

Grandma, neither of these supplements is expensive. I order most of mine from Vitacost.com where shipping is $4.95 no matter how much you order, and I trust their quality. Patients have rights, and I doubt staff can challenge you if you want to provide vitamins for your aunt. I have a dear friend in the same position: because of macular degeneration she needs to be in an assisted living facility. I furnish her vitamins and staff simply hands them out to her daily. No guarantee they will help your aunt but we know they can do no harm.

[Reesacat]

My brother-in-law is in a residential home for Down's/mental disabled, and the staff give him vitamins. Doctor ordered them and staff gives them.
The are liquid vitamins for stroke patients if she has trouble swallowing them.
Do you have a patient liason to work with?

[EmmaPeel]

Reesacat, most personal care homes will welcome family input, including alternative therapy...and we call that 'alternative' because most doc's won't think of vitamins as a first choice, sadly.

I am managing this with one of my patients right now, and the only thing that needs to be done is to ensure that what you bring from home won't contraindicate the medications or medical issue that they may already be on...so, basically everything needs to go through pharmacy and then they are good to go...

An example I can give would be this...the son of one of my patients 'snuck in" and insisted on providing herbal teas, mega dose vitamins, protein shakes for his mother, a resident. He did not ask pharmacy to check anything, nor did he inform staff or ask permission despite knowing he should. His mother has kidney failure, so many of these things are absolutely contraindicated.:mad:

Always good to run things past the staff so that the doctor knows what you want to try.