Understanding Alzheimer's: Exploring Complementary Home Care Strategies

21 Home Remedies for Alzheimer's Disease

Introduction to Home Remedies for Alzheimer's Disease

Developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is everyone's worst nightmare. In general, a disease will negatively impact either a physical or a mental function; AD seizes both. It slowly and steadily destroys memory, logical thought, and language. Simple tasks -- how to eat or comb hair, for example -- are forgotten, and once AD develops there's no turning back the clock.

The disease is named for Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor who, during an autopsy in 1906, discovered physical changes in the brain of a woman who had died of a strange mental illness. He found plaques and tangles in her brain, signs that are now considered hallmarks of AD. Though there is no way to eliminate Alzheimer's disease, there are several home remedies that can prevent its onset, as well as methods of helping both the victims of AD and their caregivers cope with its effects.

A Progressive Disease

AD is one of a group of brain disorders called dementia, which are progressive degenerative brain syndromes that affect memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia; between 50 and 60 percent of all cases of dementia can be attributed to AD.

Early symptoms include difficulty remembering names, places, or faces; and having trouble recalling things that just happened. Personality changes and confusion (such as when driving a car or handling money) are also early symptoms. Eventually, mild forgetfulness progresses to problems in comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. And physical breakdown occurs, too, partly because tasks such as eating and drinking are simply forgotten or too difficult to accomplish.

While we don't yet know the cause of AD, we do know that there are dietary and environmental factors. A stealth virus, which lies dormant for years, also is being studied as a possible cause, as are heredity factors. Aluminum has been suggested as a contributing cause, but the jury is still out on that. Most researchers believe, however, that if aluminum plays a role in the development of AD, it is a minor one.

Although there is not yet a cure for AD, the picture is not as bleak as it was even a decade ago. Research has discovered remedies that can help alleviate symptoms and slow the advancement of the disease, as well as aid those who suffer from AD, particularly with regard to hygiene, which can become a problem as AD progresses and personal care becomes difficult. And the good news is that many of these remedies and aids can be found right in your kitchen.

For some specific examples of home remedies that may help to prevent and alleviate Alzheimer's disease, visit the next page.

For more information about illnesses that affect us when we age and how to combat them, try the following links:

• To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
• To learn more about bone deterioration and how to care for it in Home Remedies for Osteoporosis.
• Sufferers from arthritis can find kitchen cures treat the ailment in Home Remedies for Arthritis.
• Menopause and its associated discomforts can be eased with some Home Remedies for Menopause.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), ., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Home Remedy Treatments for Alzheimer Disease

The home remedies found below will help you avoid some of the suspected causes of Alzheimer's disease, and can be easily located in the average household.

Baking soda. A great home remedy, or substitute for store-bought toothpaste, is a mixture of baking soda and powdered salt. And it doesn't have the aluminum that's found in many commercial toothpastes. To make the mixture, pulverize salt in an electric coffee mill, or spread some on a cutting board and roll it with a pastry rolling pin, crushing it into a fine sand-like texture. Mix 1 part crushed salt with 2 parts baking soda; then dip a dampened toothbrush into the mixture and brush teeth. Keep the powder in an airtight container in the bathroom.

Meal supplements. These meal-in-a-can beverages are easy to drink, and they're fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Seeds. Pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds are great snacks -- they're packed with essential fatty acids, necessary for brain function.

Sesame oil. Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine from India, recognizes the benefits of sesame oil. Depression associated with AD may be relieved with nose drops of warmed sesame oil -- use about 3 drops per nostril, twice a day -- or by rubbing a little warmed sesame oil on the top of the head and bottoms of the feet.

Vinegar. An all-purpose home remedy, Vinegar, can help serve many purposes. When AD patients become incontinent, vinegar can help with hygiene. Clean the genital area thoroughly with equal parts vinegar and water. For a homemade deodorant (many store-bought brands contain aluminum), combine equal amounts of water and vinegar. Dab lightly under the arms. This will not stop perspiration, but it will control odor. Cider vinegar can help relieve itchy skin. Add 8 ounces apple cider vinegar to a bathtub of warm water. Soak for at least 15 minutes.

Wheat germ or powdered milk. Add to foods for extra protein.

From the Refrigerator

Blueberries. New evidence suggests that blueberries contain an antioxidant that may slow down age-related motor changes, such as those seen in Alzheimer's disease.

Bottled water. Because tap water may contain aluminum and other impurities, bottled well or spring water may be a better option. Call your water company to ask about getting a water analysis; you may choose to install a water filter, as another option.

Carrots. Eating carrots, which are loaded with beta-carotene, is a safe way to acquire vitamin A through the diet. Without sufficient vitamin A, nerve health and even memory can suffer. It's best, however, to keep it natural -- taking vitamin A supplements may lead to toxicity. Other vitamin A-rich foods include spinach, squash, bell peppers, liver, whole milk, and eggs.

Citrus fruits. These fruits are loaded with vitamin C, an antioxidant that is believed to help protect brain nerves. Berries and some vegetables, including peppers, sweet potatoes, and green leafy vegetables, are also rich sources of vitamin C.

Fish. Fatty acids are important for healthy brain function, and fish is high in fatty acids (that's why it's often called "brain food"). It's a good idea to put fish on the menu at least twice a week (more often is even better). Good choices include salmon, sardines, lake trout, anchovies, and light tuna. Be aware, however, that some fish -- especially shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish -- contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided.

Dark green leafy vegetables. Spinach, kale, swiss chard, and other "leafy greens" are high in folic acid, which may stimulate cognitive function. Other good sources of folic acid include beets, black-eyed peas and other legumes, brussels sprouts, and whole-grain foods. Additionally, research from the Netherlands suggests that people who eat large amounts of dark green, yellow, and red vegetables may reduce their risk of dementia by 25 percent.

Orange juice. Drinking a glass of OJ is another way to increase your vitamin C intake -- just don't combine it with buffered aspirin. Taken together, aspirin and orange juice form aluminum citrate, which is absorbed into the body five times faster than normal aluminum.

Soy products. Studies suggest that isoflavones found in soy protein may protect postmenopausal women from AD. Try soy milk over cereal, soy meat substitutes, and tofu frozen treats. And substitute tofu for ricotta or cream cheese in recipes. Dietary guidelines suggest 20 to 25 grams soy protein a day.

There are several more home remedies that can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Learn how your kitchen can be your medicine cabinet in the next section.

For more information about illnesses that affect us when we age and how to combat them, try the following links:

• To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
• To learn more about bone deterioration and how to care for it in Home Remedies for Osteoporosis.
• Sufferers from arthritis can find kitchen cures treat the ailment in Home Remedies for Arthritis.
• Menopause and its associated discomforts can be eased with some Home Remedies for Menopause.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), ., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

More Home Remedy Treatments for Alzheimers Disease

The ingredients to help you stave off Alzheimer's disease may be sitting right above your stove. Consider some of these helpful home remedies when confronting this debilitating ailment.

Home remedies from the Spice Rack

Many people with AD experience a decrease in taste sensation, so spice up that food to tempt the taste buds and appetite. Chili powder, pepper, sage, oregano -- anything that tastes good and makes food interesting will work. Don't overload on salt, though.

Almond extract. This contains vitamin E. Try offering some almond cookies.

Curry. New research suggests that curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric (a spice used in yellow curry) might prevent AD. This might explain why India has one of the lowest rates of AD in the world.

Ginger. This spice can stimulate a poor appetite. For an on-the-go home remedy, try some ginger tea or gingersnaps, or chop up some fresh ginger and mix it with a little lime juice and a pinch of rock salt, then chew. It will not only increase appetite but thirst, too.

Lemon oil. Steep a few drops of lemon or peppermint oil in hot water, then inhale. These aromatherapy stimulants can perk up those suffering typical AD symptoms, such as lethargy or depression.

Sage. For depression associated with AD, drink a tea made with 1/2 teaspoon sage and 1/4 teaspoon basil steeped in 1 cup hot water, twice a day.

Salt. For dry skin that occurs with age: After a shower or bath, and while the skin is still wet, sprinkle salt onto your hands and rub it all over the skin; then rinse. This salt massage will remove dry skin and make skin smoother to the touch. It also will invigorate the skin and get circulation moving. Try this first thing in the morning to help increase alertness. If the skin is itchy, soak in a tub of saltwater. Just add 1 cup table salt or sea salt to bath water. This home remedy solution will also soften skin and encourage relaxation.

Turmeric. Curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound in this spice, has been found to reduce the number of plaques in the brain of mice and thus may slow the progression of Alzheimer 's disease.

Do's & Don'ts

• DON'T serve foods with pits or bones.
• DON'T serve foods with a mixture of textures. They may be hard to swallow.
• DO always check food temperature. Hot sensations can be numbed for people with AD, but they still can get burned.
• DO serve foods that require little chewing, such as soups, ground meat, and applesauce.
• DO serve several smaller meals, rather than three main meals.
• DO select favorite foods, especially if the appetite is poor. And keep in mind that as the disease progresses, food preferences may change.
• DO play music during meals. Mealtimes can be stressful, and music is relaxing. Choose songs from the patient's youth or that hold a special memory.

Ginkgo is another natural substance that can be effective in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Continue to the next page to learn more about ginkgo.

For more information about illnesses that affect us when we age and how to combat them, try the following links:

• To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
• To learn more about bone deterioration and how to care for it in Home Remedies for Osteoporosis.
• Sufferers from arthritis can find kitchen cures treat the ailment in Home Remedies for Arthritis.
• Menopause and its associated discomforts can be eased with some Home Remedies for Menopause.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), ., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Using Ginkgo to Treat Alzheimer's Disease

Another natural substance that may be helpful in treating Alzheimer's disease is ginkgo.A standardized extract from ginkgo leaves seems to significantly improve blood flow, especially in medium-size and small arteries. In elderly subjects, the extract has been shown to alleviate dizziness and loss of memory, probably by allowing more blood to get to the brain.

Thus, using ginkgo to treat Alzheimer's disease makes a lot of sense, especially if the disease is diagnosed early. Among the early symptoms that ginkgo may alleviate are deterioration of the short-term memory, depression, absent-mindedness, anxiety, dizziness, inability to concentrate, mental confusion, and tinnitus.

How Ginkgo Works

Ginkgo is among the most studied plant medicines in Europe and the United States. Ginkgo's benefits seem to derive from its ability to improve circulation in virtually every area of the body, especially the brain. Ginkgo opens up blood vessels and keeps them supple, thus helping to prevent circulatory problems and enhance the body's ability to nourish itself.

Ginkgo also helps to fight free radicals -- those highly reactive molecules that result from our body's use of oxygen. Researchers think free radicals probably play a role in degenerative diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's, and in the aging process itself. Antioxidants such as ginkgo scavenge free radicals, reacting with them and leaving harmless molecules in their place.

Ginkgo also has the ability to interfere with a bodily substance called platelet activation factor (PAF). Discovered in 1972, PAF is involved in a staggering number of biological processes, including asthma attacks, arterial blood flow, and formation of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. By inhibiting PAF, ginkgo may keep us from developing many of the diseases that strike as we grow older.

The most important ginkgo studies relate to its use in preventing, treating, or influencing vascular diseases, brain function, impotency, inflammation, and asthma.

Medical Studies of Ginkgo

In October 1997, JAMA published results of a multicenter study indicating that ginkgo extract may be of "significant benefit" in treating dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. The double-blind study (meaning neither researchers nor subjects knew who was getting the active substance and who was simply getting a sugar pill) was designed to investigate the effects of standardized ginkgo extract on 309 patients with mild to severe dementia associated either with Alzheimer's disease or a condition known as multi-infarct dementia (in which areas of impaired circulation result in tissue death in the brain).

For 52 weeks, patients were treated with either a placebo or 40 milligrams of ginkgo extract taken three times a day. At the end of the trial, patients were given standardized tests to measure cognitive impairment, social behavior, and general psychopathology. The researchers reported that 27 percent of patients who received 26 or more weeks of ginkgo treatment scored at least four points higher on the 70-point Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), compared with 14 percent who did as well in the placebo (sugar pill) group.

In assessments of daily living skills and social behavior, 37 percent of ginkgo patients showed improvement, compared with 23 percent of those who took placebos. The overall condition of 40 percent of placebo takers worsened during the study, compared with only 19 percent of those taking ginkgo.

Moreover, the researchers said, "Adverse events [side effects] associated with (ginkgo) were no different from those associated with the placebo."

JAMA termed the results "particularly promising" in light of the fact that no satisfactory treatment now exists for management of Alzheimer's.

The ginkgo used in the study was a concentrated leaf extract standardized to 24 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6 percent terpene lactones, the same extract widely used in Europe for treatment of cognitive disorders. This extract is available in the United States under a variety of trade names (check labels).

Similarly encouraging were results of a ginkgo study published in the journal Phytomedicine. The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study investigated the effects of ginkgo extract in 156 patients with Alzheimer's disease or multi-infarct dementia. After 24 weeks, 28 percent of patients who took ginkgo extract achieved consistently higher test scores, compared with only 10 percent in the placebo group.

In another study, 31 patients with mild-to-moderate memory impairment were given a standardized ginkgo extract and observed for six months. The extract, as in earlier tests, contained 24 percent flavonoid glycosides and 6 percent terpenes. At the end of the trial, researchers reported that ginkgo clearly had a "beneficial effect on mental efficiency" in the elderly Alzheimer's patients.

A study published in 2005 found that beta-amyloid levels fell in people who used ginkgo for more than two years. This is important because beta-amyloid, which is a type of protein, has been linked to progression of Alzheimer's disease.

One of the most famous ginkgo studies of aging-induced cerebral disorders was reported in 1986 by the French medical journal La Presse Medicale. Researchers developed a scale of 17 items to evaluate 166 geriatric patients in several centers. Markers included vivacity, short-term memory, disturbances in orientation, anxiety, depression, emotional stability, initiative, cooperation, sociability, personal care, ability to walk, appetite, vertigo (dizziness), fatigue, headache, sleep, and tinnitus. After taking ginkgo extract for three months, the subjects improved in every area, and they continued to improve over time.

A 1996 study in Germany focused on 216 patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's. The patients were divided into two groups. For one month, patients in the first group were treated daily with standardized ginkgo extract. Patients in the second group received a placebo. At the end of the trial, the subjects were tested for mental, behavioral, and motor skills. Those who had taken ginkgo showed great increases in mental alertness and improvement in mood. But little improvement was noted among patients in the placebo group.

And in a study of eight women, short-term memory and reaction time improved dramatically after they had taken ginkgo.

How Does Ginkgo Compare?

A 24-week study published in the European Journal of Neurology in 2006 found that ginkgo extract was just as effective as donepezil, and both beat placebo. The 76 Alzheimer's patients in this study had fewer adverse effects when taking ginkgo compared to donepezil. These promising results still need to be confirmed by other studies, but for now it seems ginkgo is a cheap, safe, effective treatment alternative.

Of course, you should never attempt to treat Alzheimer's or any serious disease on your own. If a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's, discuss using ginkgo to treat Alzheimer's disease -- or some of the other home remedies discussed in this article -- with the patient's health-care provider.

He or she may decide to give ginkgo or another home remedy a try, because no current therapies are successful in truly alleviating Alzheimer's disease. Using the remedies in this article certainly won't hurt. In fact, they just might help.

For more information about illnesses that affect us when we age and how to combat them, try the following links:

• To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
• To learn more about bone deterioration and how to care for it in Home Remedies for Osteoporosis.
• Sufferers from arthritis can find kitchen cures treat the ailment in Home Remedies for Arthritis.
• Menopause and its associated discomforts can be eased with some Home Remedies for Menopause.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in many publications, including Reader's Digest, Prevention, Men's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. The author of four books, Gower is also a contributing editor for Health magazine.

Alice Lesch Kelly is a health writer based in Boston. Her work has been published in magazines such as Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Eating Well, and Health. She is the co-author of three books on women's health.

Linnea Lundgren has more than 12 years experience researching, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of four books, including Living Well With Allergies.

Michele Price Mann is a freelance writer who has written for such publications as Weight Watchers and Southern Living magazines. Formerly assistant health and fitness editor at Cooking Light magazine, her professional passion is learning and writing about health.

ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS:

Ivan Oransky, M.D., is the deputy editor of The Scientist. He is author or co-author of four books, including The Common Symptom Answer Guide, and has written for publications including the Boston Globe, The Lancet, and USA Today. He holds appointments as a clinical assistant professor of medicine and as adjunct professor of journalism at New York University.

David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is university professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also is a professor in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford serves on the editorial boards of several journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), ., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.