Alzheimer's  Disease

ENVIRONMENT AND ALUMINUM
In 1907, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist and neuropathogist, first described a new ailment now known as Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Alzheimer's discovery occurred approximately twenty years after aluminum was introduced and became a widely used product.   Aluminum is a twentieth century metal and Alzheimer's disease is a twentieth century fact.  A large percentage of the population ingests aluminum in a variety of ways, through cooking ware, over-the-counter antacids and analgesics, cooking and wrapping in foil, beverages in containers, etc. This poses the question, "Does aluminum play a role in the development of Alzheimer's Disease?' During research, many laboratories have reported elevated concentrations of aluminum in the brain, both in Alzheimer's patients and healthy older persons. In some parts of the country where the soil has a higher aluminum content the population measures a higher level as well.

Dr. Michael A. Weiner, PhD, while doing research work in Japan learned that Yoshira Yase, M.D. (author of "Division of Neurological Cases," Wakama Medical College), had long held the opinion that aluminum may be a key player in Amytropic lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. ALS is prevalent  among the people on the Kii Peninsula of Japan and in certain groups on Guam. In many respects, ALS is similar to Alzheimer's. The soil and water in Guam and other areas in Japan where A.LS is found, is high in aluminum and manganese and low in calcium and magnesium.

An article titled "Aluminum and the Central Nervous System' by H.M. Wisriewski and coworkers at the Department of Pathological Chemistry of the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Departmental Disabilities (Staten Island, NY), discussed interest, beginning in the late 1890's, in the toxic effects of aluminum. At that time, compounds derived from aluminum were first being used in foods, such as baking powder. In 1942 curiosity was again aroused when it was shown that by applying aluminum to the brain cortex of monkeys, a "chronic state of convulsive activity with recurrent seizures simulating epilepsy in man" was produced. Dr. Wisniewski's article also reported also aluminum salts induced so-called 'neuro-fibrillary' charges in rabbit nerve cells.

An article in the British medical journal, The Lancet titled "Geographical Relation Between Alzheimer's Disease and Aluminum in Drinking Water" discussed a survey of eighty-eight county districts in England and Wales. From records of the computerized tomographic scanning units which served these districts, the survey covered the number of people with Alzheimer's under the age of 70. Aluminum in water were obtained from water authorities and companies covering the preceding 10 years. It was discovered that the risk of developing Alzheimer's was 1.5 times higher where the aluminum concentrations exceeded 0. 1 1 mg/l than where it was less than 0.01 mg/l, and was specific to the group of patients where the diagnosis of Alzheimer's was most certain. There was no evidence of a relation to causes of other dementias.

There are few bio-medical researchers who will argue that aluminum is good for you It is neurotoxic even in minute quantities.   You simply do not want it  in the body or in the brain. Normally, the brain is protected form toxic substances by a membrane, the blood-brain barrier. However, because aluminum seems to be concentrated in brain tissue of Alzheimer's victims, t is assumed that there must be a defect in the barrier system permitting aluminum to enter. This is possibly associated with calcium and/or magnesium mineral deficiencies, as well.

A most promising theory about aluminum is that it may enter the brain by way of the same transport mechanism as calcium, thereby getting past the brain barrier membrane. It has been discovered that malic acid and magnesium will remove aluminum from the body, including from the brain. There are 61 minerals, 16 vitamins, 12 essential amino acids and 3 essential fatty acids needed for optimal health and for a strong immune system. These nutrients are deficient in so many of today's foods that fit has become prudent to take dietary supplements.

MEASUREMENT OF ALUMINUM BY HAIR ANALYSIS

Testing aluminum exposure by mineral analysis of hair issue is accepted as a valid indicator of aluminum body burden. Elevated aluminum content in hair may be a sign of toxicity in the parathyroid gland, causing secretion of parathyroid hormone. As the activity of the parathyroid increases, aluminum absorption increases. Aluminum in turn contributes to increased parathyroid activity, thus selling up a vicious cycle. Additionally, increased thyroid activity may in turn increase precipitation of calcium from the bones. Since aluminum has become so prevalent in our environment, and since hair analysis is a good indicator of excessive aluminum exposure, it is useful for showing any increase of aluminum in the system over what would be considered normal.  Hair analysis is therefore highly recommenced for those concerned about susceptibility to Alzheimer's Disease.