Half of all Dementia is Preventable!?

Yes, according to recent research, almost half of all dementia is preventable. While I understand the “14 modifiable risk factors” listed below, I am writing this post to discuss brain health supplementation.

Full disclosure: I was diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced cerebral disfunction a few years after I finished active therapy for my blood cancer, multiple myeloma. Though chemo brain is not dementia, I believe I developed a keen understanding of what a neurocognitive disorder is.

Which nutritional supplements have been shown to potentially prevent dementia?

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)

Evidence: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are believed to be important for brain health. Some studies suggest that a higher intake of these fatty acids may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, particularly in individuals with low dietary intake.
Sources: Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel), fish oil supplements, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

2. Vitamin D

Evidence: Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Supplementation in those who are deficient may help, though more research is needed to establish a clear preventive effect.
Sources: Sunlight exposure, fortified foods, and supplements.

3. B Vitamins (B6, B12, Folate)

Evidence: B vitamins are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to an increased risk of dementia when elevated. Some studies suggest that supplementation with B vitamins, particularly in those with high homocysteine levels, may slow cognitive decline.
Sources: Leafy greens, meat, eggs, dairy, and fortified cereals.

4. Vitamin E

Evidence: As an antioxidant, vitamin E has been studied for its potential to protect brain cells from oxidative stress, a factor in the development of dementia. Results are mixed, with some studies suggesting a benefit while others do not.
Sources: Nuts, seeds, spinach, and supplements.

5. Ginkgo Biloba

Evidence: Ginkgo biloba has been studied for its potential to improve blood flow to the brain and protect nerve cells. Some research shows a modest benefit in slowing cognitive decline, though it’s not definitive for dementia prevention.
Sources: Supplements derived from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree.

6. Curcumin (Turmeric)

Evidence: Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some studies suggest it may reduce the buildup of amyloid plaques, associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but more research is needed.
Sources: Turmeric spice, curcumin supplements.

7. Resveratrol

Evidence: Found in red wine and certain berries, resveratrol has been studied for its neuroprotective effects. Animal studies are promising, but human evidence is still limited.
Sources: Red grapes, red wine, berries, and supplements.

8. Coenzyme Q10

Evidence: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that plays a role in cellular energy production. Some research indicates it might protect against neurodegeneration, though evidence specific to dementia prevention is not strong.
Sources: Meat, fish, whole grains, and supplements.

9. Phosphatidylserine

Evidence: Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is important for cell membrane function in the brain. Some studies suggest it may help improve cognitive function in older adults, but more research is needed to confirm its role in dementia prevention.
Sources: Soy, white beans, and supplements.

10. Probiotics

Evidence: The gut-brain axis is a growing area of research, with some studies suggesting that gut health may influence cognitive function. Probiotics may help maintain gut health and, potentially, cognitive health, though evidence is still emerging.
Sources: Yogurt, fermented foods, and probiotic supplements.

man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.

In addition to moderate daily exercise, reduced stress, a mostly Mediterranean diet, I supplement with eight of the supplements listed above. Almost forgot- brain games. My brand is BrainHQ.

If you have any questions about non-conventional forms of therapy to reduce your risk of dementia, email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com

Thank you,

David Emerson

Cancer Survivor
Cancer Coach
Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Nearly Half of Dementia Cases Can Be Prevented or Delayed

“14 Evidence-Based Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia

According to the 2024 report, by the Lancet Commission on dementia, highlighling prevention, intervention, and care, there are 14 evidence-based modifiable risk factors for dementia. They include…”

Overview of Neurocognitive Disorders

“Cognitive function is a major determinant of an individual’s quality of life. However, the number of individuals developing a neurocognitive disorder (NCD) is increasing as the population ages: the number of individuals with dementia is doubling every 20 years and will reach over 115 million worldwide by 2050.

There is a need to identify vulnerable individuals early, understand the trajectory of their NCD, and intervene with effective treatments…”

Curcumin and Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Curcumin on Adults With and Without Neurocognitive Disorders

“This systematic review investigates the effect of curcumin on neurocognitive exams and inflammatory serum biomarkers in adults 18 years and older.

We search PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. Modeling the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA), we screened 1,284 studies with the keywords “neurocognitive disorders,” “dementia,” “cognitive health,” “serum biomarkers,” and “curcumin.”

We use the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (RoB2) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to select 12 open-access full-text articles published within 20 years. We include clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and human studies, excluding nonhumans, other design types, and schizophrenia.

Despite gastrointestinal side effects, studies found curcumin significantly improves working memory in the following adult groups: non-demented, metabolically impaired, cognitively impaired, mood impaired, and chemotherapy impaired…”

Efficacy of curcumin for age-associated cognitive decline: a narrative review of preclinical and clinical studies

Conclusion This narrative review of curcumin found that preclinical studies consistently demonstrated its efficacy for ameliorating or preventing cognitive decline. The early clinical studies to date are less consistent and highlight the problems in translating basic research to clinical research…

In sum, preclinical studies demonstrate benefit for the use of curcumin regardless of the mode, intervention period, or dosage, although the specific cognitive and physiological benefits varied between studies. There have been too few clinical studies to date to provide conclusive evidence for the efficacy of curcumin for cognitive decline, although some have demonstrated beneficial effects. In order to better demonstrate the efficacy of curcumin for cognitive improvement in clinical trials, future studies should define dementia by using biomarkers such as amyloid and tau status in addition to more sensitive behavioral assays.

This review attempted to present a comprehensive and unbiased review of the preclinical and clinical studies on curcumin and its efficacy for cognition. As with any narrative review, the lack of a meta-analysis is a limitation. Additionally, instead of utilizing a set criterion, this review included all studies that were pertinent to address the question of the current state in the translation of research for curcumin as a therapeutic agent for cognitive aging and aging-associated pathological cognitive decline.

Diagnosed with Cancer? Your two greatest challenges are understanding cancer and understanding possible side effects from chemo and radiation. Knowledge is Power!