Glutathione may protect against Alzheimer’s disease
This week in the HSI e-Alert
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an HSI Forum thread titled “Glutathione and Alzheimer’s” provides some first-hand insights into some of the natural methods for dealing with this debilitating disease.
A member named Barry starts the thread, stating, “My wife’s father was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. He is firmly against taking pharmaceuticals.” Barry says that naturopathic doctors have recommended trying to increase his father-in-law’s glutathione levels.
As you may recall from the e-Alert “The Workhorse” (1/9/03) glutathione is an amino acid molecule and powerful antioxidant that’s found in every cell of the body (most notably in immune system cells). This is one of the reasons why its antioxidant action is so effective in protecting against disease and repairing damage throughout the body. In addition, glutathione is believed to protect other antioxidants (among them, vitamins C and E) from oxidizing, prolonging and enhancing their effectiveness.
A member named Hoss correctly notes that taking glutathione is not effective (the molecules are too big to pass through the intestinal walls and into the blood stream), but supplements of NAC (N-acetylcysteine) provide an excellent precursor for the formation of glutathione.
Hoss also suggests that Barry’s father-in-law be checked for metals toxicity. Hoss says, “I had high levels of mercury and had Alzheimer’s symptoms. After several chelation treatments my memory and cognitive ability dramatically improved.” And he adds, “The first step is get the mercury out of the teeth!!!”
A member named Dolores agrees. She says she tried chelation before removing the fillings and had terrible tooth pains. She says, “I am now in the process of removing the fillings. When you think about it, it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to do the chelation if you still have loads of fillings in your teeth.”
In addition to some very specific advice about types of chelation methods, other members suggest additional ways to address Alzheimer’s symptoms, such as using methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an organic sulfur supplement that is said to reduce inflammation and promote the general health of cells. A member named Chris recommends the amino acid acetyl L-carnitine (ALC), which may protect brain nerve cells from degeneration. And a member named Mari tells how she successfully treated her husband using high doses of fish oil (for omega-3 fatty acids). She also removed all sugars from his diet and says, “The improvement in just one month was remarkable.”
Other topics being discussed on the HSI Forum this week include poison ivy, heart health, frequent urination, fertilized eggs, lactic acid bacteria, graviola, and a brief but very informative thread on “Vitamin B complex.” Log on to our web site at www.hsionline.com to join in with these and other discussions about addressing health issues with natural treatments.
And now it’s time to talk a little football
Heading into the tough second half of the season, Ravens coach Brian Billick says his team is the best he’s ever had at the season’s mid-point. That bold claim will be tested this Sunday in St. Louis against the Rams; a talented team that, in Billick’s words, “are outstanding at home.” And coming off a surprising loss to the 49er’s, you know they’re going to come to play. But a Sunday night win on national television will send a message to the NFL: These Ravens are for real. If Ray keeps making picks, and Boller can find Heap in the crowd, the Ravens could just put up three W’s in a row – for the first time since November 2001.
