Micronutrients Help Protect Against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Discover the nutrients vital for protecting your mind.

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Forgetfulness and shaky hands were once considered typical signs of aging. But as degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s skyrocket worldwide, affecting people as young as 40, experts warn that these symptoms may signal a creeping nutritional deficiency that could steal your memories and mobility.

Not getting enough of certain essential vitamins and minerals could significantly raise your risk for these neurological conditions, according to recent research.

Understanding which nutrients matter most for protecting the brain is more vital than ever with more than 2 billion people worldwide already nutrient deficient. And inadequate nutrient intake is pervasive in the U.S. population, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Americans usually get sufficient macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) but too few micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

Micronutrient Deficiencies and Brain Disease

Micronutrients provide critical components of neurotransmitters, which enable the brain to produce and transmit signals.

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Consuming adequate micronutrients may prevent and potentially help treat neurological diseases, according to research published in Nutrients.

“The deficiency in individual micronutrients contributes to pathological changes in the development of the nervous system and can lead to the development of ‘nutritional’ neuropathies (nerve damage),” the study authors wrote.

Micronutrients as a Path to Alzheimer’s Prevention

The researchers identified several micronutrients that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease:

• The mineral manganese, essential for proper use of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which transmits signals from the brain to cells throughout the body.
• The minerals selenium, copper, and zinc, which help reduce elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with cognitive impairment. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to vascular damage, reduced blood flow to the brain, and heightened susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders.
• Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, which prevent high homocysteine levels, according to the study.

The Role of Micronutrients in Parkinson’s Management

Micronutrient deficiency is associated with increased Parkinson’s disease risk, according to the research.

For example, low vitamin B6 levels have been linked to a high risk for the disease. Additionally, Parkinson’s patients with impaired sense of smell had low dietary vitamin B1 and folate intake for about two years before symptom onset.

Vitamins D and E were also found to play a key role in Parkinson’s prevention. Vitamin D is important because deficiency is tied to the death of dopamine-producing neurons. Studies show that higher vitamin E levels are associated with decreased Parkinson’s occurrence, according to the Nutrients study.

Preventing ALS and MS Through Proper Nutrition

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the spine and brain, causing a progressive loss of muscle control. There is currently no cure for this ultimately fatal condition.

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According to the study findings, vitamins D and E benefit patients with the condition, and vitamin D deficiency is a predictive factor for ALS development.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), another potentially disabling central nervous system disease, is also associated with vitamin D deficiency, according to researchers. Reports indicate that the incidence of MS depends on sun exposure, and adequate vitamin D levels are linked to reduced risk. This may be because of vitamin D’s effect on immune response since MS involves an autoimmune attack on the nervous system.

How to Ensure You Get Enough Micronutrients

Sources of essential nutrients. The Epoch Times

Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are essential in small amounts for optimal health, Alisa Trairatana, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to many serious health issues, she added. 

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“Try to consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereals, and include more nutrient-dense foods [such as] salmon, fruits, vegetables, eggs, beans, meat, [and] whole grains,” she said.

She recommends filling your plate with healthy fats, protein, and fiber. “I always love to add color to my plate, as we eat with our eyes, too,” she added. “Think: The more color on your plate, the more variety of nutrients.”

Taking supplements is another way to increase micronutrient levels, but it may not be needed if you eat the right foods. Getting micronutrients from food also ensures a proper balance; having too many of some vitamins or minerals in relation to others can sometimes produce undesired effects or actually deplete certain other nutrients.

Although supplements can help increase micronutrient levels, Ms. Trairatana said that a balanced diet should provide sufficient vitamins and minerals without extra supplements. Those concerned about deficiencies can get tested.