What supplements if any are helpful to support someone with early leukoaraiosis – white matter,
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Vascular dementia: leukoaraiosis – white matter
Updated on March 11, 2020 in
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I would strongly encourage you to meet with one of our integrative physicians to discuss possibilities given your health history and bio-individual needs with vascular dementia. In the meantime, you can support your vascular health and nervous system with many lifestyle factors including an anti-inflammatory diet (see “Feed My Brain” for meal ideas), regular exercise, restorative sleep, strong social support, and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, a high-quality multivitamin, potentially mineral support such as zinc carnosine, folate, B-12, and specific antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E. Here are a couple of research articles exploring nutrition for neurodegenerative conditions and vascular dementia specifically:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22499449
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29382141
As always, be sure to check with your doctor before starting supplements to make sure they are okay to add to your current regimen based on health history and medications.
Best!
Zoe
cnilsen,
Thank you for the note! The primary care physician and the cardiologist seem to think the white matter beginning at the ventricles in the brain are no bit deal. However, my mom’s mother died from this type of dementia. It’s been a guessing game.
Coach Zoe,
The zinc carnosine reference is extremely interesting because mom is not digesting foods well, as well as, absorbing B12. Fascinating. There seems to be many puzzle pieces to put together. Thank you for the information.
I remember a person at a care givers meeting saying he had his wife get B12 shots for the very reason that it is not as available to older folks as a pill. Maybe Zoe can give more insight.
i also noticed my mom seemed to be more “with it” when she was on an antibiotic for another situation temporarily.I think it was b/c it increased blood flow to the brain,but I need Zoe again.Of course it is not possible to be on antibiotics for a long time..just m observation.It sounds like you are on top of things more than the average person.I also read info on how music therapy is helpful,but could not find a nearby practitioner.These days I have read studies that it is true,so I was on the right track. I did find an art therapy teacher which I believe was helpful.All the best to you and your hard work.It shows!
Thank you for the response. My mom is still living on her own and eats fairly healthy and walks almost daily. But their is a noticeable cognition thing going on and I am being proactive. I believe her gut is preventing her from getting the nutrients that she needs. Regulating the thyroid first, now moving on to the gut while engaging her in activities and more movement. We’ll see how things positively progress. Discovered that zinc carnosine will help with her gut and only taken for 8 weeks. So here we go.
It is so wonderful that you are able to be proactive! I agree that the gut is a key component to improvement.My mom didn’t exercise among other things that I am now able to identify as a result of reading info from Dr.Amen,Dr.Hyman and others.There were not computers and info was limited.Will you be able to go to the Amen Clinic?
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As we age, our digestive system slows down, and we tend to have more difficulty breaking down proteins, which occurs primarily in the stomach. The absorption of B-12 from food is dependent on the release of something called the intrinsic factor (IF) in the stomach, which binds to B-12 and carries it through the digestive tract for absorption. When our gastric juices slow down, we may have inadequate IF, so even if we eat foods high in B-12 it may not be absorbed as well. Research into supplements of B-12 show that sublingual tablets, capsules, and injections are all effective ways to correct a deficiency in this vitamin. Some people also do well to supplement with digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid to be able to benefit more from food sources.
Certain medications can significantly deplete B-12, so we may need to supplement at higher levels depending on this factor. Meeting with a clinical nutritionist or integrative physician can give you a more personalized regimen.
In terms of antibiotics, when they kill off pathogenic bacteria, this may be beneficial to a variety of symptoms. The long-term effects of killing off both pathogenic AND beneficial strains is the problem so we can’t stay on them long-term, and must be diligent about supporting gut health with pre and probiotic foods and supplements.
Best!
Zoe
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Yes, this is an important conversation. Working with someone who knows is key to supporting the body well.Thank you.
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