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Abby's Magazine - November/December 2015 | Page 37 10. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera is a plant used in India to treat a wide range of age-related disorders. A 2012 study using an animal model of Alzheimer's disease found that ashwagandha reversed accumulation of amyloid peptides and improved behavioral deficits. Laboratory studies have shown that ashwagandha can regenerate neurites (i.e., projections from nerve cells) and reconstruct synapses in severely damaged neurons. In addition to its neuroprotective benefits, ashwagandha has been shown to mimic the action of the Alzheimer's drug donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. 11. Blueberry Extract In 2005, scientists noted that the polyphenols present in blueberries reversed the cognitive and motor deficits caused by aging. Blueberry extract stimulates neurogenesis and enhances neuronal plasticity (adaptability) in the hippocampus, the region of the brain chiefly affected by Alzheimer's disease. In one study where researchers analyzed fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability, blueberries came out on top, scoring highest for its capacity to neutralize free radicals. 12. Luteolin Luteolin, a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables (e.g., green peppers, carrots, and celery), exhibited a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease in early research. When luteolin was administered to mice with Alzheimer's disease, there was a significant reduction in levels of amyloid beta. These mice also exhibited a reduction in the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3, an enzyme that has been implicated in the development of amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles. 13. Multi-Nutrient Combinations Multi-nutrient deficiencies have been observed in people with Alzheimer's disease. Recently, scientists found that individuals with higher serum levels of the biomarkers for vitamins B, C, D, and E, as well as for omega-3 oils most commonly found in fish – EPA and DHA – were less likely to exhibit brain shrinkage or reduced cognitive function. A human study of 14 individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's found that a formulation of multiple nutrients improved all measures of cognition, although the improvement in memory function was not statistically significant. The formulation comprised 400 mcg of folic acid, 6 mcg of vitamin B12, 30 IU of vitamin E, 400 mg of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e), 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine, and 500 mg of acetyl-l-carnitine. The cognitive improvement continued throughout the 12-month study. In a study of 200 healthy middle-aged individuals with no cognitive or memory problems, those who were given a multivitamin for 2 months scored higher on cognitive function tests, showed less fatigue during extended cognitive challenges, achieved greater accuracy, and proved faster in mathematical processing, compared with the placebo-only group.