Alzheimers Disease a copper deficiency?

Since I wrote about Alzheimers Disease some time ago: http://lucinda_ball.blogspot.com/2009/06/alzheimers.html

I thought I might look at a possible cause.

Although many of the epidemiological studies reporting a positive association between aluminium exposure and the development of AD (Alzheimer’s disease) or other forms of cognitive impairment, with limitations, they provide credibility for the potential for such an association. In light of negative evidence and only limited epidemiological support, we conclude the strength of the evidence for neurological effects is modest. http://www.world-aluminium.org/cache/fl0000237.pdf

In absence of occupational exposures and chronic use of aluminium-containing antacids and buffered aspirin, food is the major intake source of aluminium, followed by drinking water.

Oral aluminium bioavailability is greater from water than from aluminium hydroxide or sucralfate. Oral aluminium bioavailability from aluminium hydroxide is ≤ 0.1%, and is less with higher doses. Increased oral aluminium absorption has been suggested in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Down’s subjects. Oral aluminium bioavailability from the diet has been estimated to be ~ 0.1 to 0.3%, based on daily aluminium intake and urinary elimination. Results of a few studies with a controlled diet and tea are consistent with this estimate.

Tea leaves, are found to be a rich source of aluminium and a maximum of 2.2% Al is extracted in tea infusions. Coffee powder on the other hand was not found to be a rich source of aluminium. Baking powder was found to be a rich source of aluminium and 1 kg of cake prepared with 1-3 teaspoon of baking powder may contain 2-12.7 mg of aluminium in each serving (25 g). Toothpaste also contains a significant quantity of aluminium, more so, when packed in aluminium tubes.

Tissue aluminium concentration increases with age. Following oral exposure, aluminium distributes throughout the organism with accumulation in bone, kidneys and brain being of concern to humans with evidence of renal dysfunction, anaemia or neurobehavioral alterations reported after excessive doses. Aluminium is used as an adjuvant in vaccines. The presence of aluminium in vaccines was found to be associated with macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) at the site of injection.

Deficiencies in calcium or magnesium may exacerbate the effects of aluminium. High dietary aluminium seemed most toxic when dietary magnesium was low.

Regular consumers of antacids represent a unique subpopulation with heavy exposure to aluminium.

The primary organ for aluminium elimination is the kidney, which is believed to eliminate > 95% of excreted aluminium presumably as the citrate. However it is likely that the aluminium was no longer in solution due to binding by phosphate, or that the aluminium was present as aluminium hydroxides.

Magnesium (element 12) is right next to aluminium (element 13) in the Periodic Table of Elements, which may explain why some anti acid preparations use magnesium hydroxide and some aluminium hydroxide. The use of aluminium oxide sandpaper and aluminium oxide sanding stones by wood turners may be of particular interest to suppliers of abrasives to the wood working industry. The number of cabinetmakers who get hernias always surprised me. Perhaps the answer lies in observation that aluminium in the sandpaper/grindstone decreases their copper levels.

The balance between aluminium, magnesium, and copper is a very critical balance that affects thyroid health. Excess aluminium is often seen in the hair of those with hyperthyroidism. When copper is replenished, aluminium levels invariably go back down. So the key to getting aluminium back into balance is probably copper along with magnesium. Aluminium toxicity has to be considered a primary way that copper gets depleted, and hence a primary cause of the copper deficiency diseases: collagen failure, hernias, high cholesterol, heart disease, aneurysms, and hyperthyroidism.

Aluminium appears to be a copper antagonist as is cadmium.

Copper is required in the formation of haemoglobin, red blood cells as well as bones, while it helps with the formation of elastin as well as collagen - making it necessary for wound healing.

A lack of copper may also lead to increased blood fat levels. It is also necessary for the manufacture of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline as well as for the pigmentation of your hair.

Copper is made available from a variety of foods, such as whole grain, liver, molasses, and nuts, but water from copper pipes will also carry copper in it, and copper cooking utensils will also add more copper to be ingested.

Aluminium Oxide is therefore toxic if not eliminated. One way to eliminate Aluminium Oxide is to ingest sodium alginate. Sodium Alginate is made from seaweed and used in the food industry. Short of making a purchase on Amazon a readily available source is ice cream. Look for sodium alginate in the cheap varieties.

So could it be that Alzheimers Disease is caused by the depletion of copper by aluminium oxide and that since copper is so abundant no-one is looking to replenish copper simply because how can we be deficient in copper when our drinking water is supplied through copper pipes?

Lucinda Ball 01/03/2011