Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) are a group of conditions that cause mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. These conditions affect one’s ability to function socially, personally, and professionally. It’s important to recognize that Alzheimer’s disease begins long before symptoms start just like many other conditions. There is evidence that simple prevention strategies can reduce the risk of ADRD by as much as 50%.

The prevalence of dementia for those over 65 years of age is 14% in men and 32% in women. By the age of 80, sixty three percent of those with dementia are women.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  It has been widely publicized for its cardiovascular, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-aging benefits.  However, researchers believe it also has positive effects on the hippocampus, an area of the brain that is critical to functions such as memory, learning and mood.

According to a recent review published last month in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers investigated the role of resveratrol in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

This review consisted of five RCTs studies including three studies in patients with AD and two studies conducted in patients with MCI. These studies included 201 patients: 151 patients with AD and 52 patients with MCI. The patients’ ages ranged between 49 and 80 years of age and dosing on resveratrol was as low as 5 mg up to 1 gram twice daily.  

This review demonstrated that resveratrol supplementation can be an adjuvant to a patients’ therapeutic approach. Resveratrol has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and is effective in reducing biomarkers and disease scores and as a result, improves overall cognitive performance and improves brain metabolism. This is suggestive of a protective effect of resveratrol against early metabolic decline.

Other brain supportive nutrients to consider are GPC, CDP-choline, gingko biloba, and phosphatidylserine, and fish oil. GPC and CDP-choline are water soluble forms of choline that can cross the blood brain barrier and support brain health. These help make more acetylcholine, neurotransmitters, as well as phosphatidylcholine in the cell membranes. In addition, phosphatidylserine is an essential nutrient for brain function and is not found in the diet. Research has demonstrated that phosphatidylserine improves depressive symptoms, memory, and behavior.

By Michael Jurgelewicz, DC, DACBN, DCBCN, CNS

Source: Buglio DS, Marton LT, et al. The Role of Resveratrol in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review. J Med Food. 2022 Mar 28. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2021.0084.

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