There were several interesting details in these findings. First, not just any olive oil achieved results. It had to be extra virgin olive oil.

Also interesting was that olive oil has similar anti-inflammatory properties to ibuprofen. Ibuprofen has demonstrated the ability to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s when used regularly. Presumably this is because there is a strong element of inflammation present in the disease.

Of course ibuprofen has other, unwanted side effects, especially with regular use. This makes it less desirable for preventing Alzheimer’s.

Olive oil, on the other hand, not only doesn’t have such side effects, it has dozens of additional health benefits, including:

• Improving cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of atherosclerosis
• Supporting cell membrane health
• Helping the immune system
• Preventing rheumatoid arthritis
• Lowering LDL cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol

The specific finding for Alzheimer’s Disease was that olive oil interferes with a highly toxic class of proteins in the brain, called ADDLs. These proteins block healthy nerve function by binding with the nerve synapses. Synapses are the communication gap that allows nerve impulses to be carried from one nerve to another.

And, because current research identifies ADDL binding as the first step down the road to Alzheimer’s, this is great news.

The part of the olive oil that showed this effect is called oleocanthal. Not only did it prevent ADDL binding, it also protected the synapses from structural damage caused by ADDLs.

Researchers indicated that more studies need to be done to determine how this translates into regular use of olive oil for preventing Alzheimer’s. However, given the long history and safety olive oil use, it seems like common sense to include it in cooking and salad dressings right now as part of your brain health program.

Hyperhealth Pro Database, In-Tele-Health, Hansville, WA, 2008.

Oleocanthal May Help Prevent, Treat Alzheimer’s , Monell Center, Philidelphia, PA, 09/29/09.

In Chinese herbal medicine, Acori is called shi chang pu and is in the category “Open Orifices.” This is a category of herbs that help clear the mind and open the senses. It’s one of my favorite herbs for this.

Now, the ancient uses for this herb have been confirmed and expanded upon by modern researchers.

This research was reported in the Oxford Journals Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal (eCAM). It explored Acori’s effect on learning and memory in rats.

In the process they discovered that even when there is damage to parts of the brain associated with memory and learning, Acori was able to reverse this. The result was a return of the ability to recall past learning and an improved ability to learn new things.

This has amazing implications for brain health in human beings. The brain chemicals closely associated with learning and memory (acetyltransferase and acetylcholine esterase) were restored by administering this herb. In addition, the brain was protected from further damage.

And, because this herb has been used for treating humans for thousands of years, we know a lot about its safe usage. However, as with most supplements, there are cautions about who should take it.

For example, women experiencing hot flashes from menopause should avoid taking Acori without taking other herbs to counteract it’s warm qualities.

Also, there is the possibility that someone might not need the additional neurotransmitter support Acori provides. If this is the case, when they take it, they might experience irritability.

Obviously, if a person takes Acori (or any herb, drug or supplement) and they experience unwanted side effects, it’s best to stop taking the supplement immediately. To minimize this I recommend consulting with a practitioner knowledgeable about Chinese herbs before starting to take Acori.

That being said, the potential benefits from taking Acori to reverse memory loss are profound. For use as a single herb, the typical dosage is 2 to 6 grams twice daily. It is available in granular form as well as in raw herbal form. You may also find it in Chinese herbal formulas designed to support brain health.

References:

Hyperhealth Pro Database, In-Tele-Health, Hansville, WA, 2008.

Acori graminei rhizoma Ameliorated Ibotenic Acid-Induced Amnesia in Rats, Ji Hyun Kim, et al, eCAM 2009;6(4)457–464

The Reno Alternative Medicine Online Herbal Database

These dangers include leaky brain cells, brain chemistry imbalances, oxidative damage and the formation of sticky goo (called lipofuscin) inside nerve cells.

Fortunately, you don’t have to succumb to the negative aspects of aging. One way to keep your brain alive and healthy is to take specific supplements that support active brain health.

Recently the Journal of Neurochemistry published a study showing that two supplements go a long way towards supporting and protecting the brain against age-related damage. The two supplements are Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and creatine.

You’ve read about CoQ10 in past issues of Balance Point. To review, this substance is crucial to heart health, energy levels and brain function.

In the published study, mice with Huntington’s disease (wasting of brain nerve cells), CoQ10 led to increased motor skills and also helped extend their lives. That is a major discovery.

Of course you don’t have to wait to come down with heart or brain meltdown to start taking CoQ10. It will support the activities of these vital organs right now and increase both how long you live and your quality of life.

Creatine is an important component of muscle tissues, but it also affects brain function. It improves memory and mental focus and attention.

Both CoQ10 and creatine occur naturally in grass-fed beef. Even so, it’s hard to get therapeutic doses from foods. That means to get the most benefit requires supplementation.

I like the form of CoQ10 called ubiquinol because it is 8 times more powerful than the more common ubiquinone form. It also lasts longer in your bloodstream. An ideal dose of this form is between 50 and 100 mg daily, although you can take more.

Creatine occurs in the body naturally, made from three amino acids, L-arginine, L-glycine and L-methionine. It is largely stored in muscle tissue, but also shows up in the brain and other organs.

Similar to amino acids, a fairly large amount needs to be taken to be effective. We’re talking grams rather than milligrams.

Dosage of creatine depend on gender and body weight. Here are the recommended daily doses these amounts can be spread over 2 or 3 meals:

Chart Source: The Colgan Institute, San Diego

I’m always happy to find big benefits from just a few supplements. CoQ10 and creatine are important supplements to consider for increasing health and longevity, especially when it comes to mental clarity.

References:

Hyperhealth Pro Database, In-Tele-Health, Hansville, WA, 2008.

Wikipedia Article on CoQ10

Wikipedia Article on Lipofuscin

Wikipedia Article on Creatine

Dynamic Duo Targets Nervous System Killers, Dr. Al Sears, M.D.

Yang L et al. Combination therapy with coenzyme Q10 and creatine produces additive neuroprotective effects in models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. J Neurochem. 2009 Jun;109(5):1427-39.

Many of my patients tell me about symptoms they describe as “getting older.” These can include fatigue and pain (joint pain or general body aches), poor sleep, lower libido, decreased ability to focus mentally or recall things and even crankiness or depression.

No wonder some people talk about old age with a sense of dread!

Of course the only alternative to getting older is death, so it makes sense to pay attention to ways you can increase your quality of life now. Doing so sets you up for a longer, happier life in the years to come. It also has the added bonus of making your life better starting right now.

3 Easy Longevity Steps

Based on the latest research, here are three things you can do right now that will support living (and enjoying) a longer, healthier life.

1. Trigger your body’s production of sirtuins.

Sirtuins are a class of proteins implicated in extending life, repairing DNA and helping the body adapt to stress more effectively.

There are two proven ways to stimulate sirtuin production. The first is calorie restriction. In other words, eating less.

The second way is to take the supplement, resveratrol. You’ve read about this amazing nutrient in past articles, one of which you can see by clicking the link.

2. Exercise appropriately for your fitness level.

Exercise can be intensive or gentle. In both cases you get benefits including stress reduction and mental rejuvenation.

For example, short burst interval training is one of the best ways for increasing cardiovascular health and lung capacity. I like the PACE program created by Dr. Al Sears for this. It’s an excellent system that gets you back in shape in about 15 minutes a day.

Resistance training is also really good. Weight training and body weight exercises strengthen muscles and bones while providing a host of other anti-aging benefits.

Finally, just plain walking is an outstanding way to stay in shape. It moves all parts of your body, increases circulation and promotes healthy digestion and elimination. And if you walk outdoors, you also get a healthy dose of vitamin D producing sunshine. Yoga and qigong are also excellent gentle ways to get the benefits of exercise.

3. Keep your mind sharp.

Just as with your body, your mind gets better with practice. It’s a great example of “use it or lose it” in action.

Here’s a short list of useful ways to keep your brain in good shape:

• Take up a challenging hobby such as playing an instrument, building scale replica models or learning a new language.
• Have new experiences. Travel, go see live theater, volunteer for a cause you believe in.
• Change your daily routines. For example, practice brushing your teeth with the other hand, walk backwards on a flat surface (carpeting is best…) or get dressed with your eyes closed.

Even small steps you take now will give you big rewards down the line. If you add activities gradually, you’ll find that you start feeling better before you know it.

References:

Wikipedia Article on Sirtuins

“Three Cheap and Easy Ways to Increase Your Lifespan by 20 Years”, Interview with Dr. David Efrig, in and email sent by Stansberry Research, September 6, 2009

Hyperhealth Pro Database, In-Tele-Health, Hansville, WA, 2008.