Cognitive Decline:
A Natural Approach
Dr. Jonathan Mendoza, DC RN
What is Cognitive Decline?
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Can be age-related deterioration in:
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Ability to learn new concepts
Comprehend and interpret language
Inability to solve problems
Memory Loss
Lose train of thought
Confusion
Difficulty with communication
Causes of Cognitive Decline
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Congenital
Infection at birth
Malnutrition
Head injury
Stroke
Lead poisoning
High Blood Pressure
Alcohol
Vitamin Deficiencies
Dementia
Alzheimer's
Parkinson's
Vitamin/Nutritional Deficiencies
Studies have shown a link to a deficiency
in the following vitamins/nutrients:
 Vitamin D
 Vitamin B12
 Vitamin B6
 Vitamin B9
 Vitamin E
 Omega 3 DHA
 CoQ10
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Being Overweight
Research presented at the Annual
American Academy of Neurology suggests
that overeating can double the risk of
cognitive decline in persons over 70
 Increased caloric intake (+2,000
calories/daily) can lead to oxidative
damage leading to structural changes in
the brain
 Restriction of caloric intake throughout
life can reduce risk
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Oxidative Stress
Body’s response to physical, mental, and
emotional stress that releases free radicals
 Free radicals cause damage to all
components of cells such as proteins, lipids,
and DNA
 Causes neurological damage and has been
linked to such conditions as:
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◦ Parkinson's
◦ Alzheimer's
◦ ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
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Also linked to cardiovascular disease that
causes plaque formation
Oxidative Stress=Inflammation
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Parkinson's:
◦ Increased methionine sulfoxide reductase; MSR will
cause a decline locomotor and circadian rhythm
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Alzheimer's:
◦ shows 70% loss of locus coeruleus cells that provide
norepinephrine
◦ Decreased production of acetylcholine, important
neurotransmitter that affects learning, mood, and
memory
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Norepinephrine and dopamine are excitatory
neurotransmitters that are important in
motivation, alertness, concentration and memory.
Parkinson’s Supplementation
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S-methyl-L-cysteine (SMLC)
◦ Helps reduce oxidation by promoting the methionine sulfoxide
reuductases
◦ Found in garlic, cabbage, and turnips
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Tyrosine
◦ Gets converted to Dopamine
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CoQ10
R-alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine
◦ Helps produce Glutathione, which contains Sulfur and helps recycle
antioxidants
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Mucuna pruriens
◦ Herb that can help produce dopamine
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Vitamin E
Vitamin B complex
Selenium
Alzheimer's Supplementation
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Tyrosine
◦ Converts to Dopamine, which converts to
noriepinephrine
◦ suppress Aβ-induced production of cytokines and their
phagocytosis of Aβ
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S-adenosyl methionine
◦ Found in almost every tissue in the body; helps production
of neurotransmitters
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Vitamin B6, B9, B12
◦ Can lower levels of homocysteine
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Huperzine
◦ Improves cognition, behavior, ADL, and mood of Alzheimer
disease patients
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R-alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine
Supplementation for Cognitive
Decline
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Omega 3 DHA
Curcumin
CoQ10
Astaxanthin
◦ Regulates cytokines
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Acetyl L-Carnitine
◦ Protects against cell damage and increases muscle
mass
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Dimethlaminoethanol (DMAE)
◦ Production of acetylcholine
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Revesterol
Vitamin D3
Food to Help Boost Cognitive
Ability
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Blueberries
Lean meats
Pumpkin/ Sesame seeds
Almonds
Peanuts
Legumes
Apples
Bananas
Beets
Green Tea
Brain Exercises
We need to constantly stimulate our brains, after all the brain is a muscle
as well.
 Use your opposite hand to:
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◦ Brush your teeth
◦ Use a mouse for the computer
Get dressed with your eyes closed
 Physical exercise-research has constantly shown that exercise produces
more neurons in the brain, thus making us smarter and raising our IQ
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◦ Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Dr. John
Ratey
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Exercise in the morning
◦ Yoga
◦ Tai Chi
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Learning to play a musical instrument
Painting or Drawing
Resources
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http://www.localhealth.com/article/cognitive-impairment/causes
http://www.localhealth.com/article/cognitive-impairment/symptoms
http://www.naturalnews.com/035040_overeating_memory_loss_cognitive_decline.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602094507.htm
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-11-23/health/ct-x-1123-stroke-memory-risk20111123_1_cognitive-decline-silent-strokes-stroke-program
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidative_stress
http://www.raysahelian.com/parkinson.html
http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html
http://www.headstrongbrain.com/FAQ/~Q3-48/What_is_Cognitive_Decline
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/14818/Foods-That-Increase-DopamineNaturally
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/A-Ar/Acetylcholine.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/034939_green_tea_cognitive_decline_aging.html
http://www.raysahelian.com/alzheimer.html
THANK YOU!!
Dr. Jonathan Mendoza, DC RN
 Kyle Total Healthcare
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◦ 512-268-2447
www.kyletotalhealthcare.com
 Facebook.com/kyletotalhealthcare
 Twitter:@KyleTotalHealth
 Drdoza.wordpress.com
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