New B12 Delivery Offers Possible Help for Dementia and Alzheimer's
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Alzheimer's Disease touches many people. Statistics from the Alzheimer's Association indicate that as many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's and every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's, including Hispanics. It is a progressive condition that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, or social life.
Many people are unaware that Alzheimer's is also a fatal disease. In fact, it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States alone. Alzheimer's, along with other dysfunctions of memory and thinking known as dementia, typically rob families and individuals of happiness and the ability to live their senior years to the fullest. Therefore, the search is on to find treatments that can help slow down or reverse the onset of these brain disorders.
Research indicates that something as simple as vitamin B12 may be instrumental to that end, but the challenge has been finding ways to deliver B12 in sufficient quantities to the blood stream and cerebral spinal fluid. Now Nascobal® Nasal Spray, (www.nascobal.com) an FDA approved B12 product of QOL Medical, has been shown in clinical trials to significantly increase blood levels and to increase the CSF levels ten-fold when compared to the typical treatment of intramuscular injections.
Importance of B12
Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for a person's health. It plays a vital role in the formation of red blood cells and in the health of nerve tissue. B12 works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath (myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve cells. A deficit of B12 results in neurological dysfunction, including memory loss, trouble concentrating, anemia, and even vascular problems. Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common among older adults and those with stomach problems that compromise absorption of the vitamin.
B12 and Help for Dementia/Alzheimer's
Because of its relation to neurological function and nerve health, research has been conducted into the effects of B12 toward treating Alzheimer's and other dementia. In a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the conclusion was that low vitamin B12 status was associated with a more rapid cognitive decline and that supplementation with B12 may be relevant toward preventing dementia. In addition, researchers at the Harvard Medical School and the University of Melbourne have discovered in a series of trials that B12 slowed down Alzheimer's disease progression and significantly reduced the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, a cardinal feature of Alzheimer's. Beta-amyloid plaques form when iron, copper and zinc accumulates in the brain and turns beta-amyloid into an enzyme that catalyses the production of hydrogen peroxide which then attacks and destroys brain cells.
No More Injections
For those who have been diagnosed with a B12 deficiency or want to consider an alternative treatment for Alzheimer's with the support and guidance of their doctor, Nascobal Nasal Spray is an easy and painless way to receive B12. Nascobal is a self-administered, and typically dosed weekly product. B12 is delivered by "one puff, one nostril, once per week." The drug is as effective as injections in maintaining adequate vitamin B12 levels -- without the inconvenience or pain. In addition to maintaining steady B12 levels in the body and bypassing the gastric system in the process, where B12 absorption problems typically occur, data also indicates that the drug can help with dementia and Alzheimer's. That's because Nascobal increases the amount of B12 that enters the cerebral spinal space ten-fold compared to B12 injections. This can have positive implications toward treating dementia conditions. Nascobal is a prescription medication that must be discussed with a doctor. Learn more by visiting, www.nascobal.com.
Because Nascobal can be vital to treating B12 deficiency, its availability is made easier for those who have difficulty paying for prescription medication. A $40 co-pay rebate coupon is available, which essentially covers all or most of patients' out-of-pocket cost for the medication, with the rest typically covered by insurance. There is also a patient assistance program for the uninsured so no one is denied medical help. For further information on Nascobal and the company behind the medication, visit www.nascobal.com.