Plasmalogens, Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Both Alzheimer’s and Dementia are devastating to both the individual and their family members, and medicine has very little to offer to remedy this situation.

But there is hope.

If you have read other sections on our site, you understand that every chronic condition will likely have three primary underlying causes; nutritional deficiencies, environmental toxic insults and low grade systemic infections including bacteria, viruses and mold.

We believe these three causes do play a role with the slow but persistent development of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Although it was discovered in 1992 that people with senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type had a high prevalence of a specific genotype, this research has come to a brick wall without offering a cure, no matter what the genetic predisposition might be.

Genes do not CAUSE the disease, they select it, the causes being the three primaries mentioned above.

Plasmalogens & Dr. Goodenowe

Likely the most important and clinically relevant research on Alzheimer’s and Dementia has been that of Dr. Dayan Goodenowe, and his rediscovery of Plasmalogens, showing that humans with high Plasmalogens have much lower levels of brain amyloids, the proteins which interfere with and interrupt optimal brain function, or any neurological function for that matter.

Brain amyloid levels have been shown to be 70% lower in persons with high Plasmalogens compared with persons with low brain plasmalogens.

We hope this last sentence was not skipped over lightly, but this result is highly significant and should offer hope for those suffering from any neurological condition.

Thus we could venture to say that one underlying cause of Alzheimer’s and Dementia is nutritional deficiencies, especially of Plasmalogens since they play a critical role in maintaining neurological functionality.

Plasmalogens are a unique lipid molecule and are a critical part of both neurons and the supportive myelin sheath, necessary for optimal neuronal transmitter function and performance.

Besides neurons, Plasmalogens are also found in tissues of the heart, lungs, eyes and kidneys.

As humans, we make plasmalogens, yet a decline in their production can begin around the age of 50.

For some unknown reason, some people are able to maintain optimal levels of Plasmalogens, living full lives without neurological and other degenerative diseases.

Plasmalogens and Lab Testing

The question then is, how can we know our level of plasmalogens?

Dr. Goodenowe’s company, Prodrome Sciences, provides a blood test called the Prodrome Scan which assesses a wide range of various lipids and biomarkers including Plasmalogens.

Understanding and correcting deficiencies and elevations is critical, with dysfunctional levels being linked to increased risk of diseases which include not only Alzheimer’s and Dementia, but Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and various cancers including colorectal, pancreatic, breast and ovarian.

If you wish to watch a video of his reviewing a Scan test result, to see exactly which lipids are covered, you can click this link.

Underlying Causes of Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Plasmalogens are extremely promising but other underlying causes should also be investigated when it comes to Alzheimer’s, Dementia and other neurological issues.

On the topic of nutrition, a person’s diet must be considered and if there is inadequate secretion of stomach and pancreatic enzymes for the complete digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

How can we ever expect all the cells of the body and brain to function optimally if they do not receive the nutrients they require?

On the subject of environmental toxins and how this affects the brain and neurological system, these must be considered and investigated. There are many toxins which interfere with the normal transmission of neurological impulses, especially heavy metals.

Regarding the third cause, these are low grade, chronic, systemic infections; bacterial, viral and fungal. These can be a source of toxins, referred to as biotoxins, and must be eradicated using various therapies if a person desires to recover both their mental and physical health.

All in all, there is great hope for recovery.

We have more information on our sister site, Plasmalogen Therapy.