MELATONIN, 120 caps, 3 mg

Some studies have shown people with Alzheimer’s have lower levels of melatonin generally and it would be nice to see more studies to see if they are lower in other hormones such as DHEA and testosterone. People who inherit the genetic allele apoE4 (this just means that there was a history of possible or actual Alzheimers from one or both parents) get more Alzheimers and more amyloid peptide binding. Amyloid binding is the major biomarker for this (which means the brains cell metabolism is altered). This article is written in very technical medical language, but the bottom line in plain English is that these doctors are very enthused about melatonin and feel it has a lot to do with the occurrence and progression of this disease. They want to see more work done in this area especially on elderly people. 

So please take 3 mg of melatonin every night (never take it during the day as it is produced at night) if you are over 40. If you want to saliva test your melatonin you must buy a kit from one of the saliva testing companies and take your saliva sample at 3:00 AM in the morning. Go to your favorite search engine on the Internet and type in “saliva hormone tests”. Several reputable companies offer this melatonin saliva test, but do not pay more than $50 for it. Even if you find a doctor to do a serum test how are you going to give him a blood draw at 3:00 AM unless you go to the emergency room? While no side effects have ever been shown from taking this endogenous (occurring naturally in our bodies) hormone it is a very bad idea to raise your levels too high as this does not happen naturally. 

We are always looking for YOUTHFUL levels in life extension and natural health. It is good to mention here that aluminum deposits in the brain occur in people with Alzheimers and there is a strong correlation between aluminum in brain tissue. This may or may not be due to intake of aluminum but why take chances? 

People in the natural food industry have been warning about aluminum intake for decades now. Do not use any aluminum cookware that is not coated with Teflon. Do not cook in aluminum foil or use aluminum foil near acidic foods. Do not use aluminum based baking powder. You can buy sodium based Rumford’s Baking Powder in any grocery store fortunately. Do not eat biscuits and other baked goods with baking powder in restaurants and fast food places. 

Do not use deodorants with aluminum salts as they can penetrate the skin and get into your bloodstream. If you read the labels of most deodorants they do, in fact, contain aluminum salts. Throw them away and buy your deodorant in the health food store (Tom’s, Nature’s Gate, Queen Helene, etc.) if you have to. Aluminum beer and soda cans are coated with a thin layer of plastic by the way. 

Old age is challenging enough without losing our memory, our mental sharpness and our ability to reason clearly. Eat well, take lots of proven supplements, balance all your basic hormones, get regular exercise, and don’t have any serious bad habits and you can have and enjoy your retirement. We all know people in their 80’s and 90’s who are still independent because their minds are clear and sharp and we can be the same way.