Alzheimer's disease is a devastating disorder that affects millions, and is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and dementia. The exact cause is not known, but the industrial chemical sodium aluminosilicate has been implicated as a contributing environmental toxin. However, there is little research to suggest that this ubiquitous compound contributes to Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system resulting in a steady decline in cognition and behavioral disturbances. This then results in the person's inability to perform usual activities of daily living. In the U.S., it is estimated that over 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's induced dementia, and that figure may double or triple unless effective treatment is found, according to Alzheimer's Disease International. Medications for Alzheimer's provide only modest benefit for symptoms, and do not alter progression of the disease. The impact of molecules in the environment on the initiation and progression of this disease is being studied.
Sodium Aluminosilicate
Sodium aluminosilicate is an industrial molecule composed of sodium, silicon, aluminum and oxygen that is used in many packaged foods to prevent caking, and is generally recognized as safe. In addition, it is found in many products we may encounter daily, such as detergents and paint, according to the FDA. The fact that it is virtually unavoidable led many people to speculate that it may be linked to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Studies such as those reported in the October 1992 issue of "Clinical Chemistry" attempted to investigate the possibility of sodium aluminosilicate in the progression of Alzheimer's.
Causes of Alzheimer's
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known, but it may be related to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. It is characterized by degeneration of the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe and regions of the frontal cortex of the brain, according to the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry." Upon examination of the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's, deposits of amyloid-beta peptide and cellular debris are present, according to the June 2004 issue of "Neurology." The formation of these plaques does not seem to have any correlation to exposure to sodium aluminosilicate. According to the National Institutes of Health, aluminum and silicon compounds are no longer thought to contribute to the onset or progression of Alzheimer's.
Maintaining Brain Health
Although there is no way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, there are steps you can take to slow its progression, especially if you have a family history of dementia. The NIH suggests that maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and keeping low blood pressure can help guard against progression of the disease. Eating plenty of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can further promote brain health and slow the onset of Alzheimer's. Many drugs are being developed to help treat the disease, including those that help guard against death of brain cells, or stimulate cells by neurotransmitters. In addition, vaccines are being studied and developed that may eventually prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.
References
- Alzheimer's Disease International
- Food and Drug Administration: Sodium Aluminosilicate
- "Clinical Chemistry"; Precipitation and Characterization of an Aluminosilicate from AlCl3-Na2SiO3-HCl in Serum, of Interest for Alzheimer Disease; H. Bilinski, et al.; October 1992
- "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry"; Neuropathologic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease; G.L. Wenk; 2003
- "Neurology"; The Importance of Neuritic Plaques and Tangles to the Development and Evolution of AD; P. Tiraboschi, et al.; June 2004
- Pubmed Health: Alzheimer's Disease
