Dr. Edward Thorpe
Alzheimer’s Disease & Omega-3 Fatty Acids

DrThorpemicrophoneExciting new research indicates Omega-3 fatty acids may forestall Alzheimer’s disease. Enquire about these developments with Dr. Thorpe at Kripps Pharmacy and obtain our “Inflammation Protocol”. Also, see Nutrition Alert by Stephen Kripps, Ph.C., available at the pharmacy, which comprehensively discusses this research.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that already affects millions of North Americans and one that is expected to affect millions more as the number of people over 50 continues to increase. Scientific research indicates that Alzheimer’s occurs when nerve cells in several key areas of the brain are damaged or destroyed. These changes disrupt the normal flow of information between the body and the brain resulting in a steady decline in mental function. This mental destruction is most likely caused by the formation of the neurofibrillary tangles (knots) and senile plaques (clumps) that only occur in the areas of the brain that control memory and the retention of learned information. If you forgot where you put your glasses there is no great cause for concern … but if you have forgotten you wear glasses you have significant reason to worry about your memory problem.

At the October 2000 Conference of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine researchers emphasized the role of chronic inflammation as a causative factor in the development of Alzheimer’s. When doctors treating Alzheimer’s patients took a closer look at who seemed to be succumbing to the disease, they uncovered a tantalizing clue: those who were already taking anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis or heart disease tended to develop the disorder later than those who were not. Perhaps the immune system mistakenly saw the characteristic plaques and tangles that build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients as damaged tissue that needed to be cleared out. If so, the ensuing inflammatory reaction was doing more harm than good. Blocking it with anti-inflammatories might limit, or at least delay, any damage to cognitive functions.

It appears that some people are more sensitive to plaques and tangles than others. Perhaps they have a genetic predisposition. Perhaps a long-running bacterial infection, like gum disease, keeps the internal fires burning and tips the balance toward chronic inflammation.

Preliminary research suggests that low-dose aspirin and fish-oil capsules (E. C., enteric coated) – both of which are known to reduce inflammatory cytokine – seem to reduce a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, most of these preventive measures need to be started well before any neurological problems develop.
Recognizing the unique benefits of the omega 3 fatty acids EPA, and DHA and the serious consequences of a deficiency, the US National Institutes of Health recently published Recommended Daily Intakes of fatty acids. They recommend a total daily intake of 650 mg of EPA and DHA, 2.22 g/day of alpha-linolenic acid and 4.44 g/day of linoleic acid.
Kripps Protocol for Protection Against Alzheimer’s

1. Fishol E.C. 1000: pharmacologically distilled, tested and guaranteed to be free of mercury and heavy-metals, supplies 380 mg of EPA, DPA, and DHA. The capsule hermetically seals the contents from degradation by air oxidation. It contains oils from North Atlantic wild salmon, the best natural source for the essential omega-3 acid family of eicosapentaenoiic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Additionally, each capsule has a special enteric coating (E.C.) that protects the contents from digestive stomach juices. This ensures that a high proportion of the valuable essential fatty acids survive intact to reach the intestines where assimilation into the body occurs, and it ensures there is no disagreeable aftertaste.
Take 3 capsules daily, with food.

2. CO Q10 60 mg, 1 capsule twice daily
3. Acetyl-L-Carnitine 500 mg, 1 capsule two times daily
4. R (+) Alpha Lipoic Acid 100 mg, 1 capsule two times daily
5. Carnosine EC, 500 mg, 1 capsule two times daily
6. N-Acetyl Cysteine 500 mg, 1 capsule up to three times daily
7. Vitamin E 400 IU, I capsule twice daily, with or without food
8. Vitamin B12 as Methylcobalamin 5000 mcg, 1 capsule daily
9. Vitamin C SR (slow release) 1000 mg, 1 tablet three times daily
10. Vitamin D3, ¼ teaspoon, twice daily
11. Turmeric 500 mg, I capsule 3 times daily
12. Ibuprofen E.C. 600 mg, I tablet daily

Contraindications and Disclaimer: There are no known contraindications to use of the Omega 3’s, unless you are allergic to fish. Please note: as always, consult your physician prior to beginning any therapeutic nutritional program. Kripps Pharmacy Ltd. offers this article for educational purposes only and can not accept liability for generic prescriptive advice indiscriminate of its individual customers.

To contact Dr. Thorpe, or Kripps Pharmacy,
Visit us at 5413 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6M 3W5
Call us at 604.687.2564; Fax 604.685.9721
Email us at altermed@portal.ca
See us at www.krippspharmacy.com