Anti-oxidant Supplement may be able to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

A simple non-invasive way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease may be to measure the amount of the anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH). A breakthrough study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, October, 2018, by researchers in India led by Dr. Pravat K. Mandal, shows that GSH is significantly depleted in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. GSH is an anti-oxidant that protects the human brain from damage by free radicals. When GSH is missing in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that is involved in memory, then the person in this state develops mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which is a forerunner to Alzheimer’s. Most people with MCI will go on to develop full Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, although some people remain in the MCI state. The researchers used magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to measure the various parts of the brain.

Supplementation with GSH May Help to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

The researchers suggest that diagnosing people with depleted amounts of GSH and then supplementing this important anti-oxidant to people with MCI might prevent them from developing Alzheimer’s disease.  Also, supplementing people in the throes of Alzheimer’s disease with GSH may stop it in its tracks or slow down its progression to total severe memory loss.

Glutathione (GSH)

Glutathione is an anti-oxidant made in the human liver and also found in fruits, vegetables and meats. In  healthy people there should not be a reason to supplement with GSH, as it is made in the liver. Glutathione is involved in the body with the immune system, with repairing tissues and in making various chemicals and proteins.

Treatments

Healthcare providers use GSH for the following conditions:

• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Alcoholism
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Heart Disease (atherosclerosis and high cholesterol
• Hepatitis, liver disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Memory Loss
• Alzheimer’s
• Parkinson’s Disease

It appears to be safe, but not enough research has been done to make sure it has no side effects, especially after long-term use. Therefore, people should consult their doctor about whether or not to supplement with GSH. If you are healthy and take unnecessary supplements your liver may stop producing it.

However, this latest research shows that in people with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s their livers are not producing it, or something else is depleting it after the liver makes it.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most commonly found dementia world wide. Over five million Americans are believed to be stricken with it. It usually strikes seniors over the age of 65, but there is an early onset type of Alzheimer’s that can hit people ages 40-55. It is a progressively deteriorating brain disease that leads to severe memory loss, personality changes, sleep disturbances and psychiatric disorders. So far no cure or way of preventing it has been found. Millions of dollars are being invested in research and scientists all over the world are trying to find a way to cure it or to prevent it with a vaccine. It is listed as the 6th common cause of death in the United States, but the statistics may be higher as many cases do not get reported and it is not always listed as the cause of death on a death certificate.

Memory Care at the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse, New York

If your loved one suffers from dementia and is in need of special warm memory care, then you might want to consider the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse, New York. Van Duyn also has wonderful recreational therapy programs.

Conclusion

Let us hope that this new research will lead to a way to stop Alzheimer’s disease. If you or your loved one want to try this GSH supplement you should check with your doctor or a physician trained in integrative medicine.