Alzheimer's and Dementia Care

Herbal combination of Ashwagandha(Withania Somnifera) and Brahmi(Bacopa Monnieri) are supplements that could help in protecting against brain degenerative diseases and dementia like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia have strong genetic connection. They run in families. Anyone whose close blood relatives like parents, grand parents or siblings has or had Alzheimer's disease is at an increasing risk of developing these diseases themselves. This herbal combination could reduce the risk. Take this herbal combo and you could be protecting yourself from brain degenerative diseases.

This herbal combo also has many wonderful health benefits right from boosting libido to anti aging to anti cancer. If any of your near and dear ones are already afflicted with Alzheimer's disease you can try this herbal combo for them too. It is very beneficial in initial and mid-stages. This can be used as an adjuvant therapy - in addition to the medicines prescribed by the doctor. Ashwagandha and Brahmi could slow down the progression and decrease the severity.

These herbs have been used in Ayurvedic(traditional Indian system of medicine) for hundreds of years. There ae thousands of research reports, laboratory studies and patents on Shilajit, Ashwagandha(Withania Somnifera) and Brahmi(Bacopa Monnieri) which can be searched at scholar.google.com

	Ashwagandha is known botanicaly as Withania somnifera. It has proven memory boosting effects and is known to enhance mental stamina. It is considered to be superior to Ginkgo Biloba in it's memory boosting effects.
	Brahmi is known botanicaly as Bacopa monnieri. Brahmi significantly improves the cognitive ability including an accelerated rate of learning and enhanced memory. These effects are optimized after a 12 week period. Bacopa monniera extract was found to reduce beta amyloid deposits in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

Combination of above herbs show surprising results in enhancing memory and cognition. There are several research studies done by different group of neuro scientists - in Germany, Australia and India which have confirmed that Brahmi and Withania Somnifera can benefit Alzheimer's disease patients. Taken well in advance this herbal combination might reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's.

Other research shows that an oral turmeric supplement may be one of the best ways to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Curcuminoids can help reduce beta-amyloid plaque buildup on the brain and reduce neuroinflammation, two of the key biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s development.

If your loved one afflicted with AD is on prescription medicine try these safe natural herbals. They can be taken safely along with any other medicines as prescribed by the doctor. If any of your close blood relative has or had Alzheimer's disease it will be a prudent decision for yourself to take this herbal combination well in advance for protection. Currently a few multi national pharmaceutical companies are studying the active ingredients in Ashwagandha and Brahmi to isolate the molecules that help in amyloid plaque reduction. While it may be several years from now to for the final molecule to be marketed as a prescription drug the herbal extract which is classified as a food product can be taken for the benefits.

We recommend that this herbal combination of Brahmi and Ashwagandha be taken by you if any of your blood relatives has Alzheimer's disease and you are above the age of 30 years. As you might be aware Alzheimer's disease is genetic and it runs in families. The actual path to Alzheimer's disease starts as early as 20 years before the clinical diagnosis. For example some might be clinically diagnosed to be afflicted with AD at the age of 65 years but the trigger and gradual brain degeneration might have started right from the age of 45 years itself. Short term memory loss, decrease in cognitive ability, inability to concentrate, dip in intelligence level etc. might have started well in advance though with lesser intensity. Please take the herbal combination. The herbs of Brahmi and Ashwagandha are like any other food products and are absolutely safe.

Interact with us/ Send us any queries on facebook at facebook.com/alzheimers.prevention.foods Ashwagandha & Brahmi are classified as food Products/ Dietary supplements. ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE EFFECTS. They can be taken by anyone.

Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany.

Following is the details of the research done by Scientists Schliebs R. Liebmann, and Volkr. Bigl at Paul Flechsig Institute Brain Res., Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany. Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, Germany - Cognition enhancing and memory improving effects Shilajit and the defined extract from Withania somnifera. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9017665

Summary: Systemic administration of Shilajit & Withania Somnifera enhances cognition and memory in Alzheimer's patients

"Although some promising results have been achieved by acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors, an effective therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease still remains an important goal. Withania somnifera is an herbal plant used in Indian Ayurvedic medical system to alleviate cerebral functional deficits including amnesia(memory loss) in geriatric patients. The present investigation was conducted to assess whether the memory enhancing effects of plant extracts from Withania somnifera are owing to neuro chemical alterations of specific transmitter systems. Therefore, histochemistry to analyze acetyl cholinesterase activity was performed in brain slices from adult male Wistar rats.

Alzheimer's disease induced rats were injected intraperitoneally daily with Withaferin-A (prepared from Withania somnifera) at doses of 40 mg/kg of body weight for 7 days. Administration of Withaferin led to reduced acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) levels. This reduces acetyl cholin staining thereby increasing it's levels. Acetyl Cholin is an important neurotransmitter and it's levels are an important indicator of cognition and memory. Lower levels indicate brain degeneration, dementia and AD. (Acetyl cholinesterase enzyme in the brain hydrolyzes Acetyl Cholin) The data suggest that the defined extract from Withania somnifera affect preferentially events in the cortical and basal forebrain cholinergic signal transduction cascade. The increase in cortical muscarinic Acetylcholine receptor capacity might partly explain the cognition enhancing and memory improving effects of extracts from Withania somnifera observed in animals and humans.

National Brain Research Center, Government of India

Researchers at the National Brain Research Center, (NBRC) a nodal center under Department of Biotechnology of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India seem to be close to success in finding some sort of cure to Alzheimer's disease. Working on mice with Alzheimer's disease with extracts of Ashwagandha(Withania Somnifera) they reported promising results. National Brain Research Center neuro scientists tested extracts of Ashwagandha(Withania Somnifera) herb on two sets of test mice - one aged 10 months and the other aged 24 months. These mice were genetically altered to induce Alzheimer's disease. The mice were given oral extracts of Withania Somnifera for 30 days and monitored. Over the month the scientists found a reduction in amyloid plaques in mice brains (amyloid plaques in the brain are the major symptoms of Alzheimer's disease). The mice also exhibited significant improvement in their cognitive abilities. This study has been published in the proceedings of National Academy Of sciences. Consistent results could make Ashwagandha as a herb that offers a cure for Alzheimer's disease. 

More on anti Alzheimer's properties of Shilajit (Fulvic acid) and Withania Somnifera 

1. International Center for Biomedicine (ICC) - Fulvic acid inhibits aggregation and promotes disassembly of tau fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease. Shilajit contains 60% Fulvic acid in natural form. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21785188
2. Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, Germany - Cognition enhancing and memory improving effects Shilajit and the defined extract from Withania somnifera. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9017665
3. More research reports on the beneficial effects of Withania Somnifera on Alzheimer's disease. Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Alzheimer's disease 

Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University - Australia 

For thousands of years Ayurvedic practitioners in India have used an aquatic plant known as Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) to enhance intelligence and mental functioning. Now, Western medicine is examining the herb's potential to delay or treat dementia. Brahmi shows therapeutic effects that may help treat various symptoms related to Alzheimer's dementia, including loss of memory, capacity to learn, depression and anxiety.

Research & trials at Swinburne University of Technology's Brain Sciences Institute (funded by Australian Government) established scientific validity of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) for the  prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's and dementia. Swinburne's Professor Dr.C. Stough is the director of the NICM Collaborative Center for Natural Medicines and Neurocognition, which is responsible for a range of trials to improve the research behind alternative medicines. Other collaborators in the neurocognition research are the University of Western Australia, Melbourne's Alfred Hospital and CDR Australia. Two Brahmi trials have been done over 90  days with double-blind, randomized control techniques using a special brahmi extract. The results have shown improvements in working memory, particularly spatial memory accuracy.

Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacopa_monnieri). Laboratory studies on rats indicate that extracts of the Brahmi plant improves memory capacity. Recent studies suggest that Brahmi may improve intellectual activity. The sulfhydryl and polyphenol components of Brahmi extract have also been shown to impact the oxidative stress cascade by scavenging reactive oxygen species, inhibiting lipoxygenase activity and reducing divalent metals. This mechanism of action may explain the effect of Brahmi extract in reducing beta amyloid deposits in mice with Alzheimer's disease. In a study conducted on rats (J. Ethnopharmacol, 2009), a model was conducted where Alzheimer's disease is induced to rats. The rats were afterwards given Brahmi extract to determine its effects against Alzheimer's disease. The test showed that rats given a dose of up to 80 mg/kg of Brahmi extract had improved cognitive capability and mitigated the further reduction of brain neurons. Brahmi could increase the quality of life of AD patients to a very high degree though it remains to be seen if Brahmi could offer a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Taken well in advance Brahmi might help prevent/delay Alzheimer's disease. 

• The wikipedia page on Brahmi - Bacopa Monnieri  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacopa_monnieri
• Research report on Brahmi - Bacopa Monnieri     Southern Cross University, NSW, Australia
• More research reports on the beneficial effects of Brahmi- Bacopa Monnieri on Alzheimer's disease, Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) and Alzheimer's disease

We welcome you to try Ashwagandha & Brahmi combination for any of your near and dear ones who may be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. It could be beneficial in all stages. If you are above 30 years of age we strongly recommend this herbal combination to act as a preventive medicine against AD and maintain healthy brain function. This herbal formulation apart from offering a very powerful protection against Alzheimer's' disease has hundreds of other beneficial properties. 

Dosage: 2 capsules of Brahmi and Ashwagandha each per day. For best results please take it on empty stomach or 30 minutes before/after meals. Can be taken with water/juice/milk. If this is for patents already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and if they have difficulty in swallowing solid food then please dissolve Brahmi & Ashwagandha in water/juice/milk and give it to them.

Frequently asked questions

Can the herbs Brahmi and Ashwagandha cure Alzheimer's disease?  

One of the main reasons why there is no effective cure for AD with conventional medicines and treatment is that by the time the disease is clinically diagnosed much of the damage is already done. Similar to other diseases like cancer if the diagnosis is made early the chances of better treatment and cure is possible. AD is very unique in this aspect. The actual process of the disease starts 20 years in advance. The lack of concentration, forgetfulness, difficulty in recalling etc. are normally brushed against as a part of normal aging. But these may indeed lead to AD later in life. Medical professionals and government authorities are in fact exploring the possibility of advising prescription medicines to those who have first degree relatives with AD. But taking prescription medicines for AD in advance is fraught with lot of practicable difficulties. This is where the herbs Brahmi and Ashwagandha help immensely. These herbs have been used in Ayurveda the traditional Indian system of medicine since ages. They were not originally meant for Alzheimer's disease.  Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is used as an adaptogenic (anti-stress) herb. Brahmi ( Bacopa Monnieri) is used as a memory boosting herbs. In ancient times students studying Vedas (large body of Hindu texts composed in Sanskrit) had to memorize thousands of difficult Sanskrit verses and recall them. Brahmi was given to the students as a supplement to assist them in boosting memory and recall. It was recently in 1996 that Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, Lepizig, Germany found that Ashwagandha significantly inhibited acetyl cholinesterase thereby boosting the levels of the vital neuro transmitter acetyl choline. It may be noted that most of the prescription medicines for Alzheimer's disease are based on this principle - inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase to increase the levels of acetyl choline. If you have any first degree relative with Alzheimer's disease and are above 25 years of age then it is advisable to start with this herbal combination. You can reduce the risks of developing AD, significantly delay the onset or possibly even prevent it. If you have any relatives/the ones you care for with AD then you can give them this herbal combination along with any other prescription medicine that they may be taking. It will help them immensely. Since many AD patients might have difficulty in swallowing please dissolve the herbs in water/milk/ juice and give them. 

There are so many multi-national pharmaceutical companies that are trying so hard to find meaningful medicines/molecules to treat AD. Can these herbs really help in AD? 

Almost 60% of the modern prescription medicines used to treat various medicines are derived from natural plant extracts at some point or the other. Scientists study the herbs/plant genus and extract the specific molecule that has the therapeutic properties. They are then subjected to various tests, field trials and finally hit the market. Galantamine (available commercially as (Nivalin, Razadyne, Razadyne ER, Reminyl, Lycoremine) is the first class of acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors used to combat AD. Galanatamine was derived from Daffodil flowers that are native to meadows and woods in Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.  

Rivastigmine (sold under the trade name Exelon) is the same cholinesterase inhibitor molecule physostigmine. This is derived from  the seeds of Physostigma venosum (calabar bean). 

Modern prescription medicines for Alzheimer's' disease derived from plant source

Ashwagandha and Brahmi are being studied by various pharmaceutical companies and a number of research reports have been published in this regard. This was in fact started by Institute Brain Research, Department of Neurochemistry, University of Leipzig, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is being specifically studied as a totally new line of treatment. Current medicines to combat AD are essentially acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors (to increase acetyl cholin levels in the brain). But autopsy of AD patient's brain also showed significant amyloid plaque deposits and tau tangles. Bacopa monnieri extract has inhibitory effect on amyloid precursor protein synthesis (which ultimately lead to the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain). Many times when the active components that have therapeutic benefits are extracted from their natural plant source they tend to lose much of their beneficial properties.

I do not have any first degree relatives with Alzheimer's disease. Can I take the herbal extracts?

Yes. The levels of acetylcholin the important neurotransmitter decreases with increasing age - right from 18 years onwards. This is the reason why there is a decline in memory, ability to recall and concentration with progressing age. Though in normal persons the decrease in levels of acetylcholine is not as drastic as in the case of the Alzheimer's patients. As we have seen Ashwagandha increases the acetylcholine levels. You can clearly feel the enhanced concentration and the ability to remember things more easily. There are hundreds of publicly available research reports that prove the various the benefits of Ashwagandha and Brahmi. We have several thousand customers who take it regularly. They have all found a marked increase in their quality of life. They are able to perform more efficiently in their personnel and professional life.

Are there any side effects with these herbs?

Absolutely no undesirable effects with these herbals even at 10 times the normal dosage we recommend. There will be no undesirable interaction with any prescription medicine (including the medicines meant to treat AD)