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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffVarious herbal mixtures, vitamins and other supplements are widely promoted as preparations that may support cognitive health or prevent or delay Alzheimer's. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened an expert panel that concluded current evidence doesn't support any benefit from taking vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid or beta carotene.
Omega-3 fatty acids
The NIH panel concluded there is somewhat stronger data — but not definitive evidence — that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help prevent cognitive decline.
Vitamin E
Some physicians prescribe high doses of vitamin E to help treat Alzheimer's disease, based on a federally funded study showing that vitamin E delayed loss of ability to carry out daily activities and placement in residential care for a few months. Since that study, other research has associated taking vitamin E with an increased risk of death. No one should take vitamin E except under a doctor's supervision.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo is a plant extract containing several substances believed to be of possible benefit in Alzheimer's. But a large study funded by the NIH found no effect in preventing or delaying Alzheimer's disease.
Huperzine A
This extract from a type of Chinese moss has effects similar to the cholinesterase inhibitors, one class of drugs approved for Alzheimer's disease. But a large federally funded study found huperzine A didn't help treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Supplements promoted for cognitive health can interact with medications you're taking for Alzheimer's disease or other health conditions. Work closely with your health care team to create a treatment plan that's right for you. Make sure you understand the risks and benefits of everything it includes.
- Middleton LE, et al. Promising strategies for prevention of dementia. Archives of Neurology. 2009;66:1210.
- Preventing Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement. April 26-28, 2010. http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/docs/alz/ALZ_Final_Statement.pdf. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
- Rusanen M, et al. Heavy smoking in midlife and long-term risk of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. Archives of Internal Medicine. In press. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
- Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp Accessed Nov. 5, 2010.
- Scarmeas N, et al. Physical activity, diet, and risk of Alzheimer disease. JAMA. 2009;302:627.
- Alzheimer's disease fact sheet. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7DCA00DB-1362-4755-9E87-96DF669EAE20/13991/ADFactSheetFINAL2510.pdf. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
- Grabowski TJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2010.
- Press D, et al. Treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2010.
- Shadlen M-F, et al. Risk factors for dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 30, 2010.
- What is Alzheimer's? Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp. Accessed Nov. 4, 2010.
- Prevention. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_prevention_and_risk.asp. Accessed Oct. 31, 2010.
- Essentials of a diagnostic workup. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/professionals_and_researchers_14902.asp. Accessed Oct. 31, 2010.
- Basics of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_basicsofalz_low.pdf. Accessed October 31, 2010.
- Late stage care. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_latestage.pdf. Accessed Nov. 2, 2010.
- Strobel, G. Noisy response greets revised diagnostic criteria for AD. Alzheimer Research Forum. http://www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=2522. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Neurological tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E0F45395-A473-4B26-8F7E-86F4314405CE/0/CaringGuide.pdf. Accessed Nov. 4, 2010.
- Medical foods. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/statements_medicalfoods.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
- Is it really approved? Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM143301.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2010.
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