Preventing age-related dementia such as Alzheimer’s requires a multi-pronged approach that includes natural alternative therapies, in addition to conventional medicine. Listed are the top 12 essential natural nutrients, vitamins, and herbs that may help lower your risk for dementia in old age.
Dementia symptoms
Dementia symptoms involve more than mere memory loss; people who suffer even the earliest stages of brain atrophy may experience confusion, anxiety, irritability, and paranoia.
Other signs of cognitive impairment caused by dementia include difficulty socializing, organizing thoughts, recognizing family members, concentrating, making decisions, understanding real time, and using simple math skills.
Also read: Aging begins at 45- Tips on how to Prevent Early Memory Loss
Natural dementia treatments
Many alternative natural therapies are available that help to prevent dementia symptoms while you’re still in good health, and also stall the advancement of brain atrophy during the beginning stages of dementia.
None of these supplements or herbs are meant as a cure for dementia, but as part of a natural, healthy integrative approach to wellness that, combined with exercise, diet, and conventional medications for dementia, many nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin B3, and Coenzyme Q10 have been found to significantly aid cognitive functioning skills, maintain healthy circulation, and support mental alertness in people who have been diagnosed with dementia.
#1- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for cognitive health, as it regulates red blood cell production, protects the nervous system, and supports DNA synthesis.
Elderly individuals are at high risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency, as a result of decreased digestive enzymes required to absorb vitamin B12 from foods.
As a result, an overwhelming number of senior citizens experience symptoms of fatigue, confusion, memory loss, anxiety, and depression, as a result of an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency.
Also, scientists have noted a high correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly individuals and increased risk for age-related dementia symptoms and brain deterioration.
Therefore, routine supplementation of vitamin B12 is strongly advised for delaying dementia from old age, boosting cognitive functioning skills, and preventing misdiagnosis of dementia in people suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Also read: Here’s Your Brain on B12 Deficiency- Memory Loss and Aging
Other natural vitamins and herbs that benefit dementia patients include:
#2- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Often, symptoms of dementia occur as a result of vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency
#3- Zinc
Underlying zinc deficiency may cause neurological damage.
#4-Lecithin
Lecithin is crucial for vascular and cognitive health.
#5- DMAE
DMAE aids neurological functioning in dementia patients by maintaining acetylcholine levels.
#6- Acetyl-L-carnitine
Like DMAE, this also increases acetylcholine.
#7- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 boosts thinking skills and prevents “brain fog,” as it improves circulation, thus helping to provide more oxygen to the brain.
#8- Grape seed
is also helpful for good circulation and mental alertness.
#9- Choto-san
Also referred to as Gouteng-san, this Kampo herbal medicine has been the focus of several studies on natural dementia treatment and vascular health.
Search for Choto-san on Amazon
#10- Kami-Umtan-To
Kami-Umtan-To is also a popular Kampo medication for natural dementia therapy in boosting memory skills.
#11- Yizhi
Yizhi capsules are touted by natural health practitioners for their ability to improve vascular health in dementia patients.
#12- Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a natural herb that increases blood flow to the brain, lessens fatigue, and boosts mental clarity.
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Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency cause Dementia?
Sources:
Natural Therapies for Dementia
A clinical study of yi zhi capsules in prevention of vascular dementia
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