Easy Steps to Pamper and Protect Your Brain 

(Omega-3 EPA/DHA, B6, B12, Ginseng, CoQ10)

June 23, 2005 - While I'm board certified in internal medicine, and have dedicated most of my career to being extremely well-rounded and educated in all aspects of nutritional healing, my specialty remains as a neurologist. So when I dedicate a For Your Health newsletter to the nutritional aspects of healthy brain function, I hope you understand my passion, expertise and commitment to the subject. I deal daily with the pain and fear of patients (and their families) suffering from degenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as a host of other neurological issues. Our brain is the only organ where we can retain our years of lessons learned, our loving memories, important dates, precious events and so much more. Today's newsletter centers on a few specific nutrients that I truly believe (from my years of intense study) give you the best chance to keep the most vital organ in your body healthy and functioning well into your later years. 
It seems quite clear that oxidative stress caused by free radicals appears to play a major role in the development of many degenerative disorders of aging, especially when it comes to the brain. And, there is a large body of medical research that supports this theory. In an article just published in the Journal of Neurology Science, the authors indicated that there was indeed significant evidence for the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimers, ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease), Multiple Sclerosis, and a lesser-publicized condition known as Friedrich's Ataxia. All of these conditions seem to have one thing in common-the generation of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. As you are probably aware, the mitochondria are the "power plants" of our cells, generating almost all of the energy that drives our cells and keeps us alive. Within the mitochondria, there is a special chemical reaction known as the respiratory transport chain, which appears to be in some way damaged by these reactive oxygen species. One of the critical components of the respiratory chain is an old and reliable nutrient I have recommended for many years-ubiquinone-otherwise known as co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
There was a famous study in the medical literature a couple of years ago that turned the academic neurologic world on its head. (No pun intended!). In the study, patients with Parkinson's disease were given increasing doses of CoQ10, be it 300 mg, 600 mg or 1,200 mg daily. What was found was a statistical significant slowing of Parkinson's disease, directly correlating with the amount of CoQ10 administered. This is the first study to prove that any nutrient or drug could slow Parkinson's progression. The 1,200 mg dosage provided the most benefits. I now recommend CoQ10 to all of my Parkinson's patients.
One of my partners was at an Academy of Neurology meeting recently in Miami, and he remarked to me that there was actually a booth set up where information was given out about the value of CoQ10 for Parkinson's disease. All I can say is "It's about time!" There was study out in April 2005 from the University of California at San Diego further indicating the importance of CoQ10 in the bioenergetics of our cells. It was noted that levels of CoQ10 have reportedly been decreased in both the blood and platelet mitochondria from Parkinson patients. It was also noted that in a Phase-2 trial of CoQ10 of patients with early, untreated Parkinson's disease it was demonstrated that there was a positive trend for CoQ10 to slow progressive disability that occurs in Parkinson's disease. It is important to point out if we live long enough, there is an increasing likelihood we will develop Parkinson's, because every decade of life after the 4th leads to about a 10% loss of brain cells, which over time can affect movement. When the loss of brain cells reaches a certain critical point, you can become rigid, shake and have a very difficult time moving and controlling your muscles. The devastating effects of Parkinson's disease cannot be comprehended fully unless you or a loved one suffers from this disorder.
However, CoQ10 isn't the only valuable nutrient for promoting healthy brain function. In another study just published in the journal of the American Geriatric Society, it was noted that there was an increase in the number of "white matter lesions" in Alzheimer's patients associated with reduced levels of vitamin B6. These white matter lesions can be a marker for brain injury, although their exact role in Alzheimer's disease has not been clearly defined. Researchers studying 123 patients with Alzheimer's disease found that the level of Vitamin B6 in their blood was inversely associated with the number of these subcortical white matter lesions. The authors of the study indicated that the Vitamin B6 may in some way be affecting homocysteine levels, which have been shown in several studies in the last few years to be associated with dementing illness. It appears that increased homocysteine levels cannot only initiate, but also accelerate arteriosclerosis, both in the heart and the brain. Therefore, I recommend that you make sure to have adequate levels of Vitamin B6 in your diet. Of all the B vitamins, I would say that B6 is clearly one of the top two or three most important nutrients for you to take in adequate doses. Vitamin B6 helps promote healthy cardiovascular function, nerve function and mood. Vitamin B6 is found primarily in whole grains, soybeans, nuts and yeast. Although the RDA for B6 is only approximately 2 mg a day, and most diets provide only a few mgs, I recommend 50-100 mg daily with supplementation being the only way to achieve these levels.
There was another study published last month in the Archives of Internal Medicine concerning Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 acts with folic acid and Vitamin B6 to control homocysteine levels. It was noted that in adults older than the age of seventy, that the dose to normalize a mild deficiency of B12 was actually more than 200 times the recommended RDA. One hundred-twenty older patients with evidence of mild B12 deficiency were studied in a double-blinded fashion. They were given varying doses of B12, anywhere from 2.5 up to 1000 mcg a day. It was found that the lowest dose of oral B12 required to normalize mild B12 deficiency was more than 200 times the RDA, which is approximately 6 mcg daily. I personally recommend at least 500 mcg per day. The best and most active form of B12 is known as methylcobalamin. Unfortunately, almost all vitamins sold on the market these days utilize the extremely inexpensive and less-effective form of B12 known as cyanocobalamin. Methylcobalamin is a much more beneficial form, which can promote healthy cognitive functioning, nervous system function and cardiovascular health.
There are several other nutrients that can have tremendous beneficial effects in regard to neurodegenerative disorders and aging of the brain. Two nutrients that have been shown in multiple clinical and laboratory studies going back twenty years and longer are acetyl L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid. Both appear to have beneficial effects on mitochondrial function.
Another class of nutrients that I can't praise enough are the Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. I have written several newsletters over the last few years on these important nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids not only have tremendous benefit as a cardiovascular health nutrient, but they also appear to have tremendous benefit in improving mitochondrial function within the brain and nervous system.
There is yet another interesting nutrient that was recently utilized quite successfully in a laboratory study published in the prestigious Annals of Neurology from May 2005. Brain degeneration was induced in rats over a five-day period. Some rats were pretreated with whole root extract of ginseng, which produced no positive effect on brain function. However, pre-treatment with the most purified extract of ginsenoside significantly reduced motor impairment and neuronal loss, and completely prevented mortality. The researchers of this fascinating study concluded that a purification of American ginseng to concentrated neuro-protective ginsenosides may serve as a neuro-protective agent against brain degeneration. I'm very proud to say that the only ginseng products that we sell in the Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI) line are standardized extracts. If the current herbal product you take does not list the standardized form and level of active ingredients, it most certainly is not standardized. Standardized herbs cost up to 100 times more than a non-standardized herb.
Finally, it is widely accepted that as people age, some decline in memory, and other brain functions are inevitable. An absolutely amazing study was just presented indicating taking 800 mcg of folic acid a day slowed that brain drain, reported lead researcher Jane Durga of Wageningen University in the Netherlands. In the study, 818 cognitively-healthy people ages 50 to 75 swallowed either folic acid or a dummy pill for three years. On memory tests, the supplement users had scores comparable to people 5.5 years younger, Durga said. On tests of cognitive speed, the folic acid helped users perform as well as people 1.9 years younger. That's significant brain protection, with a supplement that's already well-known to be safe. Johns Hopkins University neuroscientist Marilyn Albert, who chairs the Alzheimer's Association's Science Advisory Council, agrees. "I think I would take folic acid, assuming my doctor said it was OK, We know Alzheimer's disease-the pathology-begins many, many years before the symptoms. We ought to be thinking about the health of our brain the same way we think about the health of our heart."
Folic acid is a critical B vitamin that promotes healthy homocysteine levels, which studies indicate lowers risk of stroke, heart attack and dementia. Increased intake of folic acid can also reduce the risk of certain cancers as well. Folic acid deficiency results in a form of anemia, but this responds quickly once folic acid supplementation is begun. Unless otherwise advised by your doctor, it is generally advised to take Vitamin B12 with folic acid, because folic acid has the potential of hiding a Vitamin B12 deficiency. I generally recommend a range of 800 mcg to 4 mg (4,000 mcg) per day.
Other nutrients with proven benefits for healthy brain function include phosphatidylserine, NADH, Vitamin C, natural Vitamin E and Green Tea standardized for EGCG.
This is quite a long laundry list of nutrients needed to help protect the brain, but the brain is a very complex organ. I strongly urge you to do everything in your power to keep it healthy and functioning at its highest levels. That includes working out your brain with mental exercises: puzzles, chess, intellectual classes, etc., as well as supplementing with the important nutrients we discussed today. Many of you may be taking some, but not all, of these nutrients. NSI offers a wide selection of Synergy Multi-Vitamins that provide much of the above recommended nutrients in the best forms and dosages. Another option if you want higher levels of CoQ10, B-complex, alpha lipoic acid, acetyl l-carnitine and other mitochondria beneficial nutrients: NSI MitoCHpower. NSI products contain herbs and phytonutrients that are standardized to the highest levels of active ingredients to ensure maximal potency and benefits. Many of these nutrients are also available as stand-alone products at incredible savings compared to the competition. So take my advice as a practicing and respected neurologist: It's never too early to save your brain. Start now, and I strongly believe you'll reap the benefits before it's too late.
To review all of your Synergy multi-vitamin options, click here.