Dementia and Alzheimer's are truly horrible and cruel diseases. But new research is showing that you can not only 100% prevent them from occurring, you can actually reverse their effects!
Here's 10 of the best natural treatments, herbal supplements and home remedies for dementia and Alzheimer's according to the experts...
Article by Troy Sawyer (Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Health & Wellness Coach, Sports Nutritionist)
Updated November 26, 2024 -- This post contains affiliate links
Dementia is such a shocking disease. Because the mental and behavioural changes happen so gradually in a sufferer, you’re left to watch your loved one slowly deteriorate before your eyes and you grieve every time they take a turn for the worst.
This is one illness that’s particularly close to home for me, having watched my mother-in-law suffer from this disease for over ten years. The first signs were small and subtle, but slowly became more frequent. Things such as leaving appliances on, repeating herself in conversation, and paranoia all gradually got worse until eventually she had to be placed in a high care home that caterers for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. My father-in-law looked after her for as long as he could (and did an amazing job) but the eventual strain took its toll on him. I also watched my wife grieve every time she saw her mom slip down further. The day her mom forgot who she was, was especially hard for her.
I must admit, I never liked going into the dementia ward at that home. Seeing so many patients walking around like zombies was incredibly sad (not being disrespectful here but that’s exactly how they look). Many of these people were doctors, lawyers, nurses, engineers, once upon a time, and now they couldn’t even remember their own name. The hardest part for us was my mother-in-law passed away before we discovered there were actually natural remedies available for treating dementia (and that many were producing some truly astonishing results). Hindsight is always a wonderful thing though.
Dementia is not actually a single disease or illness in itself. It’s a “shared term” used to describe the difficulties people with various underlying brain problems or brain damage can have with their thinking, memory, and speech (cognitive decline). So it’s basically a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills, and what would be considered normal emotional reactions in a person. Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Parkinson’s, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease or motor neuron disease) and Huntington’s disease all come under the dementia umbrella. Incredibly, one new case of dementia is diagnosed every 4 seconds around the world. That tells you the sheer scope of this brutal disorder and how many lives are being affected. Of course, Alzheimer’s makes up the bulk of dementia sufferers (60-80%), followed by vascular dementia.
Dementia is essentially the slow and progressive dying of brain cells, usually resulting from a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s. However, dementia can also be caused by a head injury, stroke or brain tumor, which can result in vascular dementia (lack of blood flow to the brain). Dementia symptoms will usually begin to develop in Parkinson’s, ALS and Huntington’s patients as these diseases progress. The medical profession will tell you that no one really knows what causes dementia, but the truth is, environmental factors play a huge role. The build-up of toxins, chemicals and heavy metals in the brain are one of the main instigators, along with nutritional deficiencies. Hay fever treatments and over the counter sleeping pills also increase the risk of dementia related diseases such as Alzheimer’s according to a new study. You can read about it here.
Dr Joseph Mercola also recommends avoiding flu vaccinations as most still contain high amounts of aluminium and mercury. Both of these are powerful neurotoxins and immunotoxins, which are believed to be one of the root causes of dementia. In addition, he say’s to avoid all anticholinergic and statin drugs…
“Drugs that block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter, have been shown to increase your risk of dementia. These drugs include certain night-time pain relievers, antihistamines, sleep aids, certain antidepressants, medications to control incontinence, and certain narcotic pain relievers. Statin drugs are particularly problematic because they suppress the synthesis of cholesterol, deplete your brain of coenzyme Q10 and neurotransmitter precursors, and prevent adequate delivery of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants to your brain by inhibiting the production of the indispensable carrier biomolecule known as low-density lipoprotein”. Mercola.com
The most common symptoms of dementia have to do with memory loss. Very often a sufferer will know their memory is fading and will try to hide it or cover up their forgetfulness and inconsistencies. Others (such as my mother-in-law) will not even know, and it will be their friends and family who begin to pick up and see the signs. Here’s a list of some of the more common signs and symptoms that start to appear in dementia patients…
The Alzheimer’s Association also has their own list of symptoms to watch out for. You can view it here… Know the 10 Signs.
There are various pharmaceutical medications available which are designed to treat one or more of the symptoms. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are the most common. But all of these drugs come with risks, many of which are severe. A new study from the University of Michigan Health System found that medications for dementia may significantly increase patient’s health risks. What’s more, the risk increases with the dosage of these medications, along with drug interactions (when two or more medications are used and react negatively with each other). Cindy D. Marshall, MD, medical director of the Baylor Memory Center in Dallas, Texas, talks about some of the risks of these medications...
"The FDA issued a 2005 black block warning on the use of antipsychotics in dementia patients due to mounting evidence showing increased mortality. The mechanism of death is not specifically defined in the data, but typically includes cerebrovascular events (such as stroke), cardiovascular events (such as heart attack) and infections (such as pneumonia)." 1
Other psychiatric medications such as the mood stabilizer, valproic acid (Depakene, Depacon, Depakote, Stavzor) also carry higher risks and much less benefit, according to Dr. Maust and his research team. With the newer and more commonly used antipsychotics, the risk definitely increases with higher dosages.
In addition to these, you have cholinergic treatments and memantine treatments, which are designed to stabilize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease. However, these have been found to have limited ability and only work for a short while.
The answer to this question is a definite yes!! You just need to start treating the affected person as soon as possible (the earlier the better). But even if they are in the latter stages of the disease, you can still help them tremendously by using natural therapies. In fact, you won’t believe the astounding changes that will happen, even within a few short weeks. And the best part about using natural remedies for treating dementia over pharmaceutical medications is there are no harmful side effects!
All of these natural treatments and home remedies are safe. You have nothing to lose by trying them, so let’s get started with our top 10 recommendations in order of importance…
Coconut oil works so incredibly well for dementia patients it almost seems like a “magic bullet” treatment. Coconut oil contains substances called ketones, which are a powerful brain food (one of the best actually). The healthy fats contained in coconut oil also help to rebuild the lining of the nerves so brain communication is increased and healthy nerve function is enhanced. Virtually all dementia suffers (especially Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients) who try it receive overwhelmingly positive benefits. I had the privilege of interviewing world-renowned coconut oil expert and author, Dr Bruce Fife, not so long ago and he spoke extensively about the power of coconut oil for preventing and reversing Alzheimer’s disease (and backed it up with some very reputable studies).
Here’s a snippet of what Dr Fife had to say in that interview…
Coconut ketone therapy has the potential to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s, reverse it, and in some cases completely eliminate the disease.
The medical research on coconut oil derived ketone therapy is remarkable. In one study for example, Alzheimer’s patients were split into two groups. Each group was given a beverage to drink. The beverage given to one group contained MCFAs from coconut oil, the other beverage contained the types of fatty acids ordinarily found in the diet. Ninety minutes later the investigators had the patients take cognitive and memory tests. The results showed that those patients that consumed the beverage with MCFAs scored significantly higher on the tests.
This study was remarkable for three primary reasons. First, it demonstrated that MCFAs do have a positive effect on Alzheimer’s patients. This is incredible because no drug currently in use has shown a positive effect like this. The very best Alzheimer’s drugs can do is to slightly slow down the progression of the disease. None have ever been able to stop it or even produce any improvement. MCFAs showed actual improvement.
Second, the results of the MCFAs were seen almost immediately: just ninety minutes after taking the drink the patients shown measurable improvement on test scores.
Third, the improvement was seen after only one dose of MCFAs. The patients didn’t need to take hundreds of doses of a drug for months at a time to see any benefit, the benefit was measureable after a single dose. There is no drug on the market that can come close to matching the effects Alzheimer’s patients get from coconut oil.
I suggest you take the time to read the full interview here on the extraordinary health benefits of coconut oil… Terrific Interview With Coconut Oil Expert Dr Bruce Fife.
Dr. Beverly Teeter, a renowned researcher from the University of Maryland who specializes in dietary fats, say’s the benefits of coconut oil for treating Alzheimer’s patients can be extended to Parkinson’s, ALS, epilepsy, schizophrenia, autism and other neurological and nervous system disorders as well. One woman, Dr. Mary Newport, started giving coconut oil to her Alzheimer’s husband and witnessed some astonishing improvements in his mental, emotional and physical health. This special CBN news story on Steve Newport’s amazing recovery from Alzheimer’s disease is definitely one you cannot miss watching! You can view it here… Coconut Oil Touted as Alzheimer’s Remedy.
And if you still have any doubts, you can read some powerful stories and testimonials on the marvellous healing power of coconut oil for dementia and Alzheimer’s here… coconutoil.com
Firstly, understand that you cannot overdose on coconut oil… ever! However, too much in the beginning can cause mild diarrhea in some people so it’s best to start off slow and gradually build up. Two tablespoons taken three times daily in divided doses (with food) is best to begin with. After a few weeks you can then increase to four tablespoons consumed three times per day. Just make sure the coconut oil you buy is 100% organic, virgin coconut oil. Processed coconut oil contains trans fatty acids and should never be eaten.
In addition to taking coconut oil every day, it’s also a good idea to make up some coconut milk and use this instead of drinking cow’s milk. Processed dairy is exceptionally bad for dementia suffers (and should be avoided completely) but coconut milk is exceptionally good! You can find out how to easily make your own coconut milk here… wellnessmama.com
Researchers have now been able to confirm that dementia diseases such as Alzheimer’s are actually a form of diabetes. In fact, Alzheimer’s is now being labelled as type III diabetes. What this means is the brain has basically become “insulin resistant”. But what’s really exciting is that cinnamon extract, which works extremely well for type I and type II diabetes, also works very well for dementia – especially Alzheimer’s disease…
In a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found two compounds in cinnamon extract help stop the disintegration and dysfunction of the tau protein. By keeping this protein strong, scientists believe neurofibrillary tangles (these “tangles” are thought to be a prime suspect and cause in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease) can be prevented and even reversed. Insulin and insulin receptors located in the brain are also essential for memory and cognitive functions, and these have been found to be significantly lower in Alzheimer’s patients. But cinnamon regulates brain insulin activity, which in turn, helps to restore normal brain functioning. 2
Make sure you only ever use cinnamon extract or cinnamon bark extract (capsules or powder) that come from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Do not but cheap cinnamon such as cassia or any products that contain this type of cinnamon. It won’t work anywhere near as well!! You can find some reputable brands here if you’re interested… Amazon.com
Take a heaped teaspoon of cinnamon powder 3 times daily with or without meals and use it in your cooking as much as possible. You can also make up a delicious cinnamon and ginger tea for an extra supply if you wish (ginger is also very good for dementia). With the capsules, a total of 3 grams daily (or more) will be required for best results.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed the B group vitamins, in particular, vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid, can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. What was stated in the article is quite exciting for dementia sufferers as well as those wanting to prevent the disease…
"The fact that B-family vitamins may play a significant role in dementia, or more specifically in warding it off has been consistently illustrated. What is news from the current study, however, is that high-dose B-vitamin treatment in people at risk for the disease 'slowed shrinkage of whole brain volume,' and especially reduced shrinkage in areas known to be affected in Alzheimer's disease."
Vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 are needed by the body to form neurotransmitters, making them crucial for the health and correct functioning of the nervous system and brain. B12 is essential for the production of substance known as myelin, the white sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. The B group vitamins, especially folic acid, also help to reduce homocysteine levels in the body, another major precursor of dementia and dementia related diseases.
A vitamin D deficiency has been repeatedly linked to brain problems such as poor memory and recall attainability. Researchers believe that vitamin D protects brain cells and may even be able to help damaged neurons regenerate. Vitamin D is also a strong anti-inflammatory and immune boosting nutrient. Because inflammation and low immunity are such powerful factors in the onset and development of dementia diseases, vitamin D could quite possibly be the most important and crucial nutrient for all dementia sufferers.
Vitamin E, on the other hand, has also been found to prevent and even treat dementia diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In fact, 60 years ago in the animal industry, farmers were actually able to prevent and reverse Alzheimer’s disease in animals by feeding them high doses of vitamin E. Then after human studies on vitamin E and Alzheimer’s disease some 30 years later (we’re obviously a little slower to catch up) the University of California and the Salk Institute came out and said… “Vitamin E can ease memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients”. 3
For vitamin B12, a sublingual spray containing methylcobalamin is the absolute best and most absorbable way to get your daily dose (a few sprays under the tongue and you’re done). Here’s what one looks like… B12 Sublingual Spray. For the other B group vitamins (and an extra dose of B12), a good quality B complex supplement will suffice.
For your vitamin D, there are two ways. Firstly, get out in the sun! 20-40 minutes of regular sun exposure a day (depending on the temperature) is still the best way to receive the vitamin D your body needs. The most important areas of exposure are the face and back of the hands. In addition to this, and especially if you live in cold climates, supplementation with vitamin D3 (the same as what the sun makes) is crucial. Best sources are vitamin D3 supplements and cod liver oil. Just remember too, our body’s need lots of vitamin D so don’t be afraid of overdosing on this vital nutrient (vitamin D expert, Dr Cedric Garland, recommends a minimum of 5000 IU’s of vitamin D per day so I suggest you follow his guidelines and not the RDA).
For vitamin E, the best source is without a doubt unprocessed red palm oil. The benefit of red palm oil is not only is it incredibly high in the eight different forms of molecules categorized as vitamin E (including the “king of kings” alpha-tocopherol), it’s also high in the healthy ketone fats all dementia sufferers need. And in addition, red palm oil helps with blood circulation, along with providing powerful neuroprotection just for good measure!
Even Dr Oz says red palm oil is a miracle oil for longevity so start getting some into you or your loved one as soon as you can.
Minerals are commonly referred to as “the sparks of life”. They are what keep our body battery going and keep it charged. Minerals are also needed by the brains “electrical circuit” to function properly. You may not know this but your brain is one incredible and very intricate circuit board. Every time you think a thought (or every time your brain is at work is probably a better description), little “sparks” and electrical currents are busy racing and crisscrossing each other in a dazzling and spectacular light show. In fact, while you’re brains at work it's actually producing enough electricity to power a light bulb!
So how it basically works is when you think a thought, that particular thought is then transferred or relayed to the area of the brain that needs it by “sparks” or electricity. And minerals are one of the crucial components that make this all happen and make the process run smoothly. But when your brain lacks the minerals it needs for this process to work correctly, these sparks begin to “jump” in the wrong places. Or even worse, they don’t jump at all! This is the beginnings and eventual progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Our bodies need over 60 essential minerals and trace elements every day to function correctly and at its peak. Exactly how many minerals our brain needs to function properly, no one really knows. But it’s lots! Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for the brain and for healthy nerve function (this is also one mineral that’s severely lacking from our modern day diets). Studies have shown that dementia sufferers can improve, some quite dramatically in fact, from correct mineral supplementation.
Liquid colloidal minerals are the best and most absorbable way to get the required 60+ minerals your body and brain needs every day (they’re the only way really). For magnesium, a transdermal magnesium spray is the best way to go. Magnesium is tough for the body to absorb but with a transdermal magnesium spray, it’s penetrated directly into the blood stream via the skin. If this is not practical or you don’t like the idea of spraying an oil on your skin every day, there is a terrific magnesium supplement available called Natural Calm, which is actually one of the very few oral magnesium supplements on the market that’s highly absorbable (and doesn’t taste awful). You can check it out here if you're interested… Natural Calm.
Omega-3 fatty acids are yet another fat that are incredibly healthy for the brain and nervous system. They contain the EPA and DHA essential fatty acids, which help to prevent brain cell damage and keep the nervous system in peak working order. And they don’t just help to slow down the progression of dementia diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s either, they also help to lower ones risk of developing the disease in the first place.
Best sources of omega-3’s are fish oil, cod liver oil and krill oil. Krill oil is probably the pick of the bunch because it contains a substance called Astaxanthin, which is a potent “brain food” and has been shown in studies to help prevent neurodegeneration of the brain.
This is probably one of the most overlooked remedies and treatments for dementia. Stamford University have discovered that boosting the body’s immune system can help with Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what was stated in an article published in the UK's, The Telegraph…
“Alzheimer's could be prevented and even cured by boosting the brain's own immune response, new research suggests. Researchers at Stanford University discovered that nerve cells die because cells (known as microglial cells) which are supposed to clear the brain of bacteria, viruses and dangerous deposits, stop working”. 4
This makes perfect sense, since bacteria, viruses and “dangerous deposits” such as mercury and aluminium have now been vindicated as prime suspects in the onset and development of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In fact, researchers from Umea University found that the herpes simplex virus increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. They said… "Our results clearly show that there is a link between infections of herpes simplex virus and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease”.
So building up the body’s immune system and keeping these microglial cells healthy and in tip top condition is absolutely vital for the prevention and reversal of dementia, particularly in regards to Alzheimer’s disease. For some of the best (and fastest) ways to do this, have a read of “The Top 13 Ways to Boost Your Immunity” from our June newsletter here… Take Your Health to a Whole New Level With These Powerful Immune Boosting Tips!
It’s no secret (at least in the natural health circles) that an accumulation of heavy metals in the brain, particularly mercury, aluminium, lead and fluoride, are one of the major causes of dementia. These heavy metals trigger what’s commonly known as “brain drain”. Heavy metal toxicity also wreaks havoc on the body’s nervous system, which is why diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and motor neuron disease have been linked to heavy metal accumulation. 6
So the flushing out (chelation) of these heavy metals from the nervous system and brain is definitely a top priority for the prevention and treatment of dementia. And the two best ways to accomplish this is through the supplementation of a stunning superfood called chlorella and Borax powder (yes I know it’s classed as an ant killer but stay with me on this one).
Chlorella is a powerful detoxifier, probably the most powerful yet discovered in fact. It has a unique ability to pull heavy metals out of the body but leave the good minerals (essential minerals) alone. Chlorella also removes other toxic poisons, chemicals and pesticides from the digestive tract so they don’t enter the bloodstream and poison the body. A Russian study found that chlorella, combined with cilantro (coriander), was able to remove all heavy metals from the body, including mercury, with no adverse side effects. These remarkable benefits make chlorella the #1 detox food available, followed closely by Borax.
Borax can also be used to remove heavy metals from the body, including the brain and nervous system. Walter Last, in his ground-breaking article on Borax as an arthritis cure, makes mention of using borax to remove heavy metals, particularly fluoride (which is incredibly toxic to the brain) from the body, safely and effectively. Borax (boron) is also very effective at balancing hormone levels in both men and women. According to famed author and medical doctor, Dr Mark Hyman, hormone imbalances are another major cause of dementia. 7
Now, in case you don’t already know, Borax is actually used as a food preservative so don’t be scared off by it. For more information on the astonishing health benefits of Borax, I strongly recommend you take the time to read Walter Last’s stunning article. There you will also find recommended dosages, along with lots of other health problems Borax can help with. Here’s the link… The Borax Conspiracy.
For years now we’ve been told that cholesterol is bad for us and if we eat too much we’ll end up dropping dead of a heart attack.
Well this information is totally false!
And thankfully, the truth on this one is finally coming out. So many articles (such as this one) are finally relaying the real facts, that eating cholesterol containing foods doesn’t cause heart disease and that cholesterol actually helps to prevent and treat dementia and Alzheimer’s!
Think about this… your brain by weight is 75% pure cholesterol. And the insulating material that surrounds your brain is actually 100% pure cholesterol. Without enough cholesterol, this “insulation” begins to shrink, which also causes your brain to shrink!
Remember what I said about minerals and the brains electrical circuit board? You can ask any qualified electrician about this… if you don’t insulate electrical wires or currents then the electricity is basically free to “jump” wherever it pleases (this is why electrical wires are always wrapped in rubber or plastic; it gives insulation). Well, your brain is exactly the same. Without enough insulation (cholesterol) your brains electrical currents (sparks) aren’t going to hit their mark, so to speak. The result? Neurological problems and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This is another reason why cholesterol lowering drugs are so dangerous and are actually one of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease!
Here’s what neurology specialist, Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, has to say about this…
“In my clinic, I see growing numbers of people with memory loss who have been taking cholesterol-lowering pills. Dr Duane Graveline, MD, former NASA scientist and astronaut, suffered such memory loss while taking his cholesterol pill. He managed to save his memory by stopping the pill and eating lots of cholesterol-rich foods. Since then he has described his experience in his book, Lipitor: Thief of Memory, Statin Drugs and the Misguided War on Cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol in fresh eggs and other cholesterol-rich foods has been shown in scientific trials to improve memory in the elderly. In my clinical experience, any person with memory loss or learning problems needs to have plenty of these foods every single day in order to recover”. 8
So be sure you or your loved one get enough cholesterol every day by taking some cod liver oil and eating at least two eggs each day, along with eating plenty of cold water fish, shellfish, natural butter, red meat (including the fat) and chicken with the skin on. 3
Certain foods definitely help with the prevention and treatment of dementia, while other foods are guaranteed to make this condition much worse.
The foods and liquids you should be eating and drinking more of are the staples. These include…
For the foods you should be avoiding or not eating at all, here’s the top ones…
Remaining mentally and physically active has been well proven to not only delay the onset of dementia, but also help to improve the symptoms and even reverse the disease. When it comes to using your brain, the old saying “You Snooze You Lose” is definitely true. If you don’t keep your body active it will eventually become stiff and seize up on you, and your brain is no different. So you must keep it active and working. There’s a direct correlation between mental stimulation, such as learning something new or doing puzzles, and a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. Researchers believe mental challenges help to build up the brain, and by doing this, make it less prone to developing the lesions that can cause Alzheimer's disease. What’s more, mental stimulation also helps to delay brain deterioration in people who already have the disease, and in many cases, can even reverse it.
Staying physically active is also crucial for delaying and improving the onset and development of dementia and has been well documented. Regular moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, cycling, tai-chi or yoga, have all been associated with better retention of cognitive skills. However, the best form of exercise for dementia is weight training…
Researchers from the University of Sydney have found that lifting weights is actually more effective at stopping dementia than brain training exercises! Scientists found high intensity weight training boosts the mental abilities and cognitive skills of older people who are suffering from mild cognitive impairment (a common precursor to dementia). Geriatrician, Professor Maria Fiatarone Singh, said resistance training may significantly reduce the risk of dementia. "We know weight training stimulates hormones that make muscles grow and it's possible these hormones are also having similar benefits for brain function," said Prof Singh. Because hormone imbalances are considered a major cause of dementia, this find is significant. And in addition to this, weight training is also excellent for your joints and your heart as well! 9
So there you have our top 10 natural remedies for successfully treating and reversing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But don’t forget (no pun intended) that these remedies and recommendations are also exactly what you need to be taking and following to prevent dementia from ever affecting you! (Prevention is always best). And like we said earlier, you have nothing to lose by trying these treatments. We recommend you start with #1 and then work your way down the list, using and utilizing as many of the remedies as you or your loved one can. Expect to see some big results within 3-6 months. It will, however, take at least 12 months for a full recovery (or as close to a full recovery as you are going to get) so you must be patient and consistent with the daily application of these recommendations.
So what are you waiting for? Get going on this straight away. We guarantee, the results are going to blow your mind! (In a good way though).
Good luck and all the best to you.
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