Nutritional supplements teach old dogs new tricks: Acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipolic acid improve memory in dogs

Exciting new research shows that two nutritional supplements, acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid, can improve the memory, ability to learn and cognitive function of old dogs, and might be able to do the same thing with humans.

Acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid may provide a new approach to the neurodegeneration and cognitive decline common with aging, scientists say.

The study was recently published in FASEB Journal, produced by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, by researchers from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, the University of Toronto, University of California/Berkeley, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, and Juvenon, Inc.

The study found these two antioxidant compounds, which are believed to play a role in slowing mitochondrial decay in the cell, significantly increased the ability of aged beagle dogs to learn a new task.

"The prospects for cognitive improvement from use of these supplements is both fascinating and exciting," said Tory Hagen, an associate professor in OSU's Linus Pauling Institute, and recognized expert on the biological processes of aging.

"This is the first time these two compounds, by themselves, have been tested in canines, which have brains that are more biologically similar to humans than some other animal models," Hagen said. "The results should be relevant to what we could expect with humans, and are very encouraging."

The research suggests that long-term supplementation "may be effective in attenuating age-associated cognitive decline by slowing the rate of mitochondrial decay and cellular aging."

Enhancing the function of mitochondria — which provide almost all of a cell's energy — could literally be providing animals with more "mental energy," leading to improved memory and learning, the study indicated.

The compounds may also cause increased synthesis of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.

Source: Oregon State University news release via Salem-News.com

Complementary Medicine | Natural Health | Nutrition | Herbal Supplements | Nutritional Supplements | Dr. David Ross, ND, CNHP | DrDavidRoss.com

Omega-3 fish oils slow Alzheimer's disease, studies show

Omega-3 fatty acids may slow cognitive decline in some patients with very mild Alzheimer's disease, recent studies reported in the October 2006 issue of Archives of Neurology indicate. Supplements showed no effect in more advanced cases.

Alzheimer's disease is a severely debilitating condition that affects thinking, learning and memory, beginning with declines in episodic memory (including memory about events in one's own life). Drugs that are used to treat symptoms do not affect the underlying cause and progression of the disease. Several studies have shown that eating fish, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, may protect against Alzheimer's disease, leading researchers to question whether supplements could have similar effects.

Complementary Medicine | Natural Health | Nutrition | Herbal Supplements | Nutritional Supplements | Dr. David Ross, ND, CNHP | DrDavidRoss.com